January 11, 2022

Synthetic turf for a better and safer play environment.


Not sure whether to install traditional grass and mulch or a synthetic play surface? We’re here for you! Let us answer your top questions regarding turf for playgrounds. Learn about the biggest benefits of artificial turf playgrounds in this article.


IS ARTIFICIAL GRASS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR Austin PLAYGROUNDS?

Because it’s designed to be highly-durable, artificial grass is the right choice for playgrounds and play areas. It will not just reduce maintenance, but it will remain beautiful year-in and year-out. No rain, snow, or sunshine will dull the turf, providing you the highest possible return on investment available.

More importantly, artificial turf for playgrounds must meet the highest standards as defined by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association. Southwest Greens turf products are made specifically to offer a safer surface with increased shock absorption to buffer trips and falls.


DOES ARTIFICIAL TURF GET HOT?

Synthetic turf is known to become hot in the summer season, historically speaking. However, because of technology, there are options to help your turf’s surface temperature stay cool. We call our solution, HydroChill®.

HydroChill® is a simple optional component added to the turf’s infill providing an average cooling of 30-50 degrees and is activated naturally when moistened by dew, rainfall, and irrigation. As the turf surface is heated by solar radiation, HydroChill® turf releases stored moisture. When moisture evaporates, it removes heat, providing a cooler, more comfortable surface for the players. Learn more about HydroChill® here.


HOW MUCH DOES A SYNTHETIC PLAYGROUND SURFACE COST?

We know that when you’re shopping for turf, you’re looking for pricing, which will allow you to plan accordingly. Because it’s challenging to give an exact number without the details of your project, we estimate a price of $15 - $30+ per square foot for a playground turf installation.

Note, there are many things that factor into pricing calculations. Here are a few factors that affect pricing:

  • Base Materials
  • Turf size
  • Design
  • Padding
  • Site access & prep
  • Features
  • Installation costs

 

The right way to discover how much your playground makeover will cost is to get a free consultation with Southwest Greens of Austin.


HOW LONG DOES ARTIFICIAL TURF LAST?

Speaking only for ourselves, some of our installations are over 20 years old. Despite their age, they’re still still the bright green color and texture of natural grass.

Our UV-resistant artificial turf products look and function like new because they’re manufactured to stand up to temperature fluctuations, extreme weather, and heavy foot traffic for year-round use. All installations have a one-year warranty for workmanship and manufacturer's warranty to cover fading.


WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ARTIFICIAL TURF?

Installation of artificial turf is an investment, but it is totally worth it. Here are just some of the reasons to install artificial playground turf.

Safety First

The safety pad underlayment goes beneath the turf to help ease trips and falls and reduce injuries. The safety pad is extremely elastic, providing wonderful shock absorption. Playground turf from Southwest Greens of Austin is International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) Certified, so you can be assured our turf surfaces are held to the highest standards.

Enhanced Drainage Capabilities

The porous pad underlayment quickens drainage vertically and laterally while addressing water storage. Southwest Greens turf with Microban® antimicrobial protection gives you a clean and well-drained playground safe for children of all ages to play on.

Durable And Long-Lasting

Our commitment to research and development enables us to offer the highest quality and state-of-the-art materials you can buy. Our UV-resistant synthetic turf products last because they are engineered to handle extreme weather, temperature fluctuations, and heavy traffic for year-round use.

Reduced Heat Retention

Southwest Green playground turf keeps the play area cooler in hotter climate conditions versus rubber play area products. For even more cooling, we highly recommend our innovative HydroChill® solution — an optional add-in to the turf’s infill providing an average cooling range of 30°-50°.

Water Conserving

From coast-to-coast, nearly a third of residential water use is estimated to be landscape irrigation, totaling nearly 9 billion gallons a day. Because water scarcity is becoming more prevalent, it’s critical to cut back where we can. Artificial turf eliminates the need for so much water in order to maintain a safe, beautiful play space.

Reduce Pollution

With synthetic grass, you no longer have to apply fertilizers, weed-killing chemicals, and unhealthy products to control pests. This prevents water pollution and save you money overall. What’s more, you have none of the downtime it takes to apply these chemicals, and more importantly, cut down the number of chemicals in a children’s play area.


TRANSFORM YOUR PLAYGROUND

Are you ready to have a safe and beautiful playground? Southwest Greens of Austin has a solution for you. Our projects are all custom designed and installed by professionals, so you won’t ever need to do any of the heavy lifting. Contact us to schedule a consultation!