Third generation (3G) synthetic grass pitches are used across a wide variety of sports.  Their durability and versatility makes them a popular alternative to real grass, and they can also be used all year round, regardless of the weather conditions.  However, all 3G synthetic grass pitches are not made equal.  If you're thinking of having a 3G artificial sports pitch constructed at your home, for a local sports team, or perhaps for a school sports facility, you may be wondering what type to go for. 

Read on for a helpful overview of the different pitch types you could choose.

Rubber crumb

Rubber crumb pitches are most commonly referred to as 3G surface pitches.  This type of pitch is the modern, upgraded version of the original synthetic grass sports pitch.

Rubber crumb is the most suitable type of surface for high impact sports, such as soccer, rugby, and Aussie rules.  This is because the synthetic grass used is very hardwearing, so it can withstand all the rough and tumble that may be thrown at it during matches.  It is also soft enough that it won't cause friction burn injuries or discomfort to players who hit the ground with force or at speed. 

The synthetic grass used to create rubber crumb pitches can be of various lengths, as per your requirements, and it is usually topped with sand or rubber granules (crumbs).  Rubber crumb pitches can be a little heavy on the maintenance side of things, requiring regular sweeping to keep the granules or sand evenly distributed.

Sand-based turf

Sand-based/sand-topped synthetic turf requires less maintenance than its rubber crumb counterpart and enjoys good longevity.  Sand-based synthetic grass has a short pile and is usually supplied sand-filled right up to the grass tips.  This type of construction makes the turf best-suited for sports such as hockey, netball, tennis, and lacrosse.  This is because the shorter length turf gives a predictable and even ball bounce.

Fully synthetic turf

Fully synthetic turf is an artificial surface that is water-based.  Unlike the aforementioned surfaces, fully synthetic turf has no sand or rubber infill.  The grass has a very dense and short pile, requiring no regular irrigation and little maintenance.  This type of surface is most suited to sports such as hockey and tennis.

In conclusion

As you can see, there are synthetic grass sports pitches that are suitable for most sports that would otherwise be played on real grass or hard courts.  Use the information given in this article to make sure that you choose the right type of pitch for your intended use, and have a chat with a good landscape specialist for further advice.

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