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Originally designed in the late 1960's as a playground surface for urban school playgrounds in the USA, Astro Turf has stood the test of time. It's fame world wide was assured when it was the surface chosen for the new "super" sports dome in Houston which became known as the AstroDome.

Still around 50 years later, but much improved, Astro Turf is now used in a wide range of applications, and has been adapted to suit a much more diverse range of sporting activities than was originally envisaged.

Constant improvements by the manufacturers addressed issues such as the abrasiveness of the surface and puddles on areas of the turf caused by poor drainage.

Now, synthetic turf has advanced so much that it looks and feels like natural grass without all the hassles that can come with high maintenance grassed areas.

21st Century uses for synthetic turf

– Sports surfaces – tennis, bowls, hockey, netball, tennis, futsal, basketball, long jump and triple jump run-ups, handball courts, putting greens and more.
– Domestic applications – lawns, pool surrounds, entertainment areas, patios and pergola areas.
– Commercial property such as hotels, resorts, low rise office buildings.
– As a temporary installation for a special event ie garden wedding.

Traditional grassed surfaces are very difficult to maintain in our harsh environment as any cricket tragic will tell you. At about day three in a test match it was quite obvious how much damage had been done to the lawn grass by the bowlers.A grassed tennis court is just as difficult to keep in peak condition through a long and scorching summer. Enter Astro Turf:

Qualities of latest generation synthetic turf

– Underfoot comfort – soft and lush
– Low maintenance – does not need watering or mowing
– Pest resistant – no need to use pesticides
– Natural look, feel and color – also UV colorfast
– Choice of in-fill materials to suit the specific application
– Resists stains and discolorations
– Drains quickly after rain

The synthetic turf being manufactured in 2009 is a world away from the original. The attention to quality in texture, variety of application, options for installation and ease of maintenance makes it the perfect surface for a time-poor, thirsty world.

Until recent times the choice as to whether to use natural grass or artificial turf was a 50% proposal depending on how much water was available, maintenance needs, or amount of use it would get. The popularity of AstroTurf has been proved over a 50 year time span, and its uses and fans, continue to increase.

Copyright (c) 2009 Michael Atma

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Source by Michael Atma