In football, there are multiple types of turf options available, depending upon yarn shape, pile height, density, stitch rate and similar. Usually, for products with infill of sand and rubber, a pile height of 40mm to 60mm is used. However, there are new generation fields that only have a small dressing of sand and here pile heights between 30mm and 40mm is sufficient, owing to a much thicker density of yarn that has a thatch as well, again using yarn. Conscious manufacturers like TigerTurf, with best-in-class R&D facilitates, have developed turf with even more superior performance, longer usage and durability.

The XP yarn, a patented technology of TenCate and a TigerTurf product, gives you an unlimited yarn durability warranty and one of its unique features is that play is possible non-stop, 24 hours a day. It is also all footwear friendly (save metal spikes/studs). Care should be taken to verify the origin of the product and manufacturer and confirm that the material is heavy metal and lead free. A critical factor would also be the type and thickness of yarn and equally important would be the credibility of the company supplying/installing and a check to be maintained of individual level of thickness of both the stabilizing infill as well as performance infill. One should also read the fine print of the warranty terms and conditions as to the actual number of playing hours covered under the warranty.

Even though natural grass is the conventional surface for football fields, artificial turf has evolved as a viable alternative option providing many advantages compared to natural grass fields. TigerTurf does not need watering making it an environmentally conscious product. Artificial turf from TigerTurf also gives extended hours of play as compared to natural grass fields that are actually only used for matches and rarely for training. In the long run, turf from a reputed manufacturer and installed as per norm, is a cheaper option compared to natural grass.

The most common certification is FIFA Quality/Quality Pro though it is a combination of many parameters that should tick the box when it comes to sustained, high quality play. You need to start with the sub-base that needs to have the required tolerance with optimal drainage, amongst many factors. Next is not just the selection of turf, but also the workmanship and correct level of infill, where required, using the right materials. A documented maintenance regime needs to be followed as well, for anything is only as good as how you keep it, and use it for the purpose that it is intended for.

Yes, turf is definitely suitable and actually meant for professional, amateur and school level football fields. Where water is scarce, or it is difficult for grass to grow, and thrive, turf is the only alternative. In fact, the world-over, turf is the only go to when it comes to training and practice and even matches. Play is possible even when wet, or right after rains. The turf is impervious to extremes of temperature and weather. The right quality turf from a conscious manufacturer and installed for purpose ensures value for money.

Yes, turf is usually customized as per field dimensions to ensure minimal wastage. Logos of any type and colour can be made and it uses the same yarn and type as the football field thus preventing any trip hazards. .

While turf can be used both indoors and outdoors without any worry, there are other surfaces also on which football is possible, in case there is a requirement.

Shock absorption layers usually come in the form of pre-formed rubber rolls or pads poviding a high level of cushioning and can be simply rolled over the sub-base. These pre-formed pads usually also last 2 life cycles of the turf on top, thus proving to be very cost effective.

There is also the additional option of TenCate Sine pads that are made of cross-linked closed cell polyethylene foam enhanced by a unique woven construction. It not only provides shock absorption, but also has excellent drainage properties in vertical and horizontal directions.

If we are talking of the time to install the turf, a full-sized football field will take between 2 to 3 weeks of clear weather to install. Smaller futsal fields, of course, will take a much lesser time. This also depends upon the type of product and infill standards, where applicable.

Synthetic turf should not be installed over an existing natural field. Grass has roots and other organic matter that can grow through the turf and this will affect play and decrease the longevity of the turf. Further, natural fields become wet and muddy and will not provide a firm underlay for the turf to be laid on and this leaves to a safety hazard. Football fields using turf require an inexpensive dynamic base (crushed rock) along with sub-soil drainage and there also a strong possibility of rain water harvesting. Smaller fields can be installed on a concrete surface and one has to ensure that the surface has the necessary slope for the water to drain off and that the planarity is maintained so that there are no wavy lines or risk to injury owing to an uneven surface.

The cost of installing a football turf depends on the size of the field, the location of the field and also the type of product being used. If we are talking only of the installation cost of turf for football, the range will vary from Rs. 40 per sqft to Rs. 60 per sqft.

Yes, all turf should normally come with a warranty but one has to be very careful of the fine print and the warranty terms as laid down in the document provided by the manufacturer. TigerTurf products are unique as there are some that come with an unlimited yarn durability warranty and this means that you can literally play 24 hours a day – something that no other manufacturer provides.

A proper football turf from a manufacturer using the right raw material offers long term cost savings compared to maintaining natural grass. For one, there is no watering or fertilisers required to maintain turf and neither is there any need of sunlight. The number of hours of consistent play that turf provides is also multiple times that which is possible on natural grass. So, if you work out the cost of ownership and compare the number of hours of play, turf works out to be far more economical than natural grass and that too without any stoppage time. And if you are using the unlimited yarn durability products from TigerTurf, then there can no other viable cost saving option, that turf. Plus, there is the ecological impact of water savings and doing away with chemicals and pesticides.

Conventional turf has a stabilising infill of sand and performance infill of rubber, new generation turf has emerged and leading manufacturers like TigerTurf have non-filled turf systems that conform to all playing conditions that the game requires without compromising on player safety. Further, this is also much cheaper on maintenance.