In hot weather in summer, natural grass often become dry and yellow, requiring constant maintenance to keep them green and beautiful. Artificial turf has many unexpected benefits as a less-maintenance alternative to natural grass, but plastic fibers can also run into problems in hot weather.
Does artificial turf get hot in the sun?
All types of lawns can suffer from extreme heat, especially those made of man-made materials.
Artificial turf company Easigrass says that, like a patio or deck in direct sunlight, fake grass can heat up quickly and doesn't have the cooling effect of real grass.
Inexpensive artificial turf made of polyester or acrylic is more likely to "get hot" in the summer, but even high-quality nylon or polypropylene turf maybe get very hot also.
It's important to note that while fake grass gets hot quickly, it's "extremely unlikely" that they'll melt or burn.
Artificial turf manufacturer Almost Grass said: "These materials have very high melting points, polyester has a melting point of 120 degrees Celsius and nylon has a melting point of 220 degrees Celsius."
During the hot summer, residential lawn owners or operators of playgrounds and sports fields need to take some steps to prevent artificial turf from becoming "too hot" to be used during heat waves, or causing burns.
How to keep artificial turf cool?
In hot weather of summer, some measures should be taken to reduce the surface temperature of artificial turf to improve the comfort and safety of athletes.
The following methods can be used as a reference:
- Choose high quality products.
High-quality artificial turf has good heat insulation, air permeability and anti-ultraviolet performance, which can effectively reduce the absorption of infrared rays and the accumulation of heat.
- Sprinkle water.
Use the evaporation of water to take away heat to reduce the surface temperature of the turf. The time and amount of watering should be adjusted according to the weather and the actual situation of the site, so as to avoid wasting water resources and affecting the use effect of the turf.
- Shade.
Plant some trees or build some shading facilities around the artificial turf to increase the shade area of the turf and reduce direct sunlight.
- Use special fillers.
Filler is an important part of regulating the temperature of artificial turf. White or light-colored rubber particles or quartz sand can reflect part of the sunlight and reduce the surface temperature of the turf. In addition, some manufacturers have incorporated cooling technology into the turf design by using different types of infill to achieve a reduction in the surface temperature of the turf.
How to choose a "cool" artificial turf?
While all artificial grass heats up in direct sunlight, some types of artificial grass will stay cooler than others. If you're looking for this type of artificial grass, there are a few things to look out for:
Density. When choosing artificial grass, the biggest factor in determining overall temperature is the density of the grass. Soft and dense turf is popular, but it can get hot on hot days because the grass is more fibrous and the grass is heavier. If turf temperature is your main concern, choose a low-density turf for the best results.
Uniformity. Artificial grass that looks messy and has uneven strands will be cooler because there is more air circulation through the turf, which in turn lowers the temperature.
Color. Like dark clothing, dark artificial grass will absorb more sunlight and heat. Dark-colored artificial grass will generally be hotter in summer than lighter-colored artificial grass.
Grass shape. The shape of the filaments affects the overall appearance and performance of the artificial turf, as well as the temperature of the turf in hot weather. Artificial grass with a flatter strand section usually gets hotter in the sun.
