Category: Artificial Grass for Dogs

  • How to Choose High-Quality Turf (Avoiding Future Problems)

    4.1 Check UV Stabilization

    • Look for “UV-resistant” or “high UV protection” labels (minimum 5,000+ hours of UV testing).

    4.2 Fiber Material Matters

    • Polyethylene (PE) – Best for color retention and softness.
    • Nylon – Most durable but less soft (ideal for high-traffic areas).
    • Avoid low-grade polypropylene (PP), which fades quickly.

    4.3 Backing & Infill Quality

    • Latex-backed turf lasts longer than polyurethane-backed turf.
    • High-quality rubber/sand infill improves shock absorption and fiber support.

    4.4 Warranty & Manufacturer Reputation

    • 8+ years warranty indicates confidence in product durability.
    • Choose established brands (e.g., Mango Sports).
  • Impact on the Playing Field

    2.1 Reduced Performance & Safety Risks

    • Faded turf loses its visual appeal and may affect player visibility.
    • Brittle fibers increase the risk of abrasions and uneven playing surfaces.

    2.2 Shortened Lifespan

    • Untreated fading and brittleness reduce turf lifespan from 8-10 years to 3-5 years.

    2.3 Increased Maintenance Costs

    • Premature deterioration requires more frequent repairs or replacement, increasing long-term expenses.

    3. How to Fix Faded & Brittle Turf

    3.1 Regular Maintenance

    • Brush fibers monthly to prevent matting.
    • Rinse with water to remove dust and pollutants.
    • Use mild detergents (no harsh chemicals).

    3.2 Apply UV Protectants

    • Silicone-based sprays can restore flexibility and slow fading.
    • Specialized turf coatings enhance UV resistance.

    3.3 Replace Damaged Sections

    • If fibers are severely brittle, patch-replace affected areas instead of full replacement.

    3.4 Improve Drainage

    • Clogged drainage leads to water retention, accelerating fiber breakdown.
  • Why is my artificial grass fading?

    Causes of Artificial Turf Fading and Brittleness

    1.1 UV Radiation Exposure

    • Prolonged exposure to sunlight (UV rays) breaks down the polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) fibers, leading to color fading and loss of elasticity.
    • Inferior UV stabilizers in low-quality turf accelerate degradation.

    1.2 Poor-Quality Materials

    • Cheap backing materials and low-grade fibers deteriorate faster under environmental stress.
    • Some manufacturers use recycled plastics that lack durability.

    1.3 Extreme Weather Conditions

    • High temperatures soften fibers, making them prone to wear.
    • Freezing temperatures cause brittleness, leading to fiber breakage.

    1.4 Chemical Exposure

    • Harsh cleaning agents, fertilizers, or industrial pollutants can weaken turf fibers.
    • Pet urine (if not cleaned properly) may degrade turf backing.

    1.5 Heavy Foot Traffic & Improper Maintenance

    • Excessive use (sports fields, playgrounds) causes fiber flattening and breakage.
    • Lack of brushing, infill redistribution, and cleaning accelerates wear.
  • Preschool and primary teachers develop language by talking about colours

    The colours the children first meet while playing on Altitus playgrounds also appear in their books, their toys and their play equipment.

    Children associate them as being the same colour as the surface under the swings, near the door, or where the trikes are ridden.

    Taiaotea Kindergarten used a clear green Altitus Envy landscape lawn with our TigerPad safety pad beneath in the swing area. The Envy lawn acts as a clear visual cue to make children aware of the swing area and are taught to wait at the edge of the green lawn for their turn on the swing, or to walk around the edge at a safe distance from the swings.

  • Colourful TigerPlay defines play areas for pre-schools

    Colour can define areas:

    •  Regular inspection of your lawn for moss or algae, especially in damp weather and in shaded areas.
    •  If you spray with chemicals, do use the correct rates and application method recommended by the manufacturer.
    •  The turf can be sprayed three monthly if necessary.
    •  TurfGuard is supplied by Altitus as the most effective and safe product to use on our landscape lawns. You can order this by telephone or email and we will have it delivered to you.
  • Colour and shapes aid cognitive development in young children

    Children see colour and shapes all around them from birth and are drawn to bright colours instinctively.
    Learning about colour is a precursor to learning about the rest of their world, including more abstract concepts such as numbers and letters.
    Altitus’s Kindy surfaces, developed especially for early childhood centres, can turn every area into an opportunity to learn.

  • Option Defining Colours

    Use colour to define, design, combine and streamline your play and sports areas.
    Using different colours in Altitus sports and playground synthetic turfs bring drama and energy to schools, early learning centres and community sports centres.
    Whatever the required use of the grounds, the range of colours available mean you can create the facility that is best for your community.

    Kindy, Early Childhood Centres and Primary Schools

    Colour is an essential building block of early childhood education; colours are the first stage in advancing children’s ability to understand abstract concepts. Bright, engaging playgrounds advance learning and health at this important stage of development.

  • How long does an Artificial Turf Installation last?

    On an average, an Artificial Turf lasts for from 5 to 15 years. However, a few factors determine the durability of the pitch. The factors determining the lifespan are:

    • The amount of traffic/footfall on the area
    • The purpose the surfaces are used for
    • The UV stabilization factor for retaining colour
    • The quality of material you choose to install
    • Whether or not the surfaces are maintained from time to time
    • The kind of elements the surfaces are exposed to

    Summary

    In short, Artificial Turf is now a game-changer, both in terms of cost over the number of playing hours and its ability to withstand extremes of the season.Schools, clubs, government sports bodies and even housings are starting to realise the benefits of using synthetic surfaces. Installing a synthetic turf initially might require a higher amount of investment but it pays for itself in the long run. The overall durability, reduced cost of maintenance, reduction in usage of water are some of the highlighting factors why artificial turf is gaining so much popularity.

  • Hybrid turf is the new addition to the artificial turf market.

    This is still classified as a Natural Grass System. Typical 100% Natural Grass with full comprehensive maintenance usability is about 200-400 hours of usage/year. Our Hybrid Turf System can go up to 1,000-1,200 hours per year with the same comprehensive maintenance.

    Hybrid turf is the new addition to the artificial turf market. It is a block system which reinforces natural grass turf with synthetic turf fibres that provides the added advantage of natural grass playability as well as a surface which is much more resistant to wear and tear.

    It is a network of synthetic turf fibres weaved into a strong backing material which is laid directly on a standard pitch base. The synthetic ingredient is carefully infilled with a special root zone mix and is sown with grass seeds. These seeds germinate and grow between the synthetic fibres within days of implantation. This creates an incredibly strong natural grass surface which is more resistant to wear and tear. This structure can be installed easily on site that only requires a standard pitch installation equipment and using a high appointment of labour.

    Hybrid surfaces are perfect for application where it is very difficult to maintain a natural grass pitch or where the customers don’t want a 100% artificial turf pitch.

  • Fibrillated Tape (Slit Film)

    Fibrillated tape products are produced by foil removal. The foil is split into a tape and the tape is fibrillated in a specific pattern. The fibrillation gives a natural look and feels after the installation of the synthetic turf pitch. A well designed fibrillated tape, such as TenCate’s XP Pro, is a true game changer. The fibres are designed to withstand significant activities with great durability.

    A fibrillated tape field is ideal for multi-purpose fields which can be used for multiple sports like football/rugby/American football. The wide tape/film binds higher within the backing textile construction than monofilament fibres. As soon as the field gets played on, the fibrillated tape fibres cross hatches and create a cup-like shape. This condition makes for a quick surface and has the benefit of enclosing the infill. As a result of this, the maintenance hours and cost for the upkeep of the field are reduced. The cross hatch of the tapes increases the surface area also which provides more surface area per footprint and increases the available material on the field.