Photo Credit: Woodard & Curran
Most people have a good understanding of the benefits that synthetic turf can provide—primarily that it can take a beating. But once it has been determined that a synthetic-turf field needs to be replaced, the next step is actually getting it done. The situation has likely changed for the better since your field was first installed a decade or more ago. The athletic-field industry and the synthetic-turf segment, in particular, have evolved significantly over that time, as have the design considerations that need to be contemplated during replacement.
Over the past several years, advancements have been made across the board with new turf fibers and fiber combinations, new infills, new shock pads, and drainage layers. To get the highest performing and safest system you can afford, here are some of the most important design criteria to evaluate. Many of these items are interrelated, making a thorough investigation and design that much more critical and impactful.
Working From The Ground Up
When replacing an existing field, one of the first considerations is how to remove what’s already there in a responsible way. Synthetic-turf fields are often more sustainable than natural-grass fields: