Artificial turf fields raise some concerns about their potential health and environmental impact. These concerns include the presence of microplastics and chemicals in synthetic turf, which may pose risks to athletes through inhalation or skin contact. Artificial turf can also become extremely hot, increasing the risk of heat-related injury or illness.
This material is popular in sports fields thanks to its consistent appearance and lower maintenance requirements. Understanding the environmental and health concerns raised by the way heat impacts artificial turf can help you address this issue and make the most of your investment.
Why Artificial Turf Is So Popular
Artificial turf creates a level playing field, reducing the variability that can happen with natural grass that develops uneven patches or holes. This uniformity ensures consistency in ball sports, where the field can impact ball bounce and roll. It also offers several key other advantages when used on sports fields:
- No watering: Artificial turf needs no regular watering to grow, helping facilities reduce water usage. The only water it requires is the occasional spray-down to remove messes and keep the turf looking great.
- No mowing: In areas with no snowfall, the turf can look pristine year-round and needs no mowing to maintain its even surface.
- No fertilizers: No chemical treatments are required to control pests or promote growth, making it difficult to manage.
- Resilient: Artificial turf can withstand heavy use without wearing out, making it ideal for high-traffic sports facilities.
- Long life span: With proper care, artificial turf can last several years, making it a long-term investment compared to the frequent upkeep natural grass needs.
- Reduced weather impact: Artificial turf maintains a steady playing surface regardless of the weather.
The Heat Factor: Artificial Turf vs. Real Grass
Grass and artificial turf have significant differences in heat retention, which can impact athlete performance and protection. Natural grass absorbs and releases heat gradually, creating a cooler, more comfortable environment for athletes. Artificial turf is known for retaining more heat than natural grass, creating potentially searing playing surfaces that can impact athlete protection and comfort.
Temperature Differences
On sunny days, artificial turf surfaces can reach significantly higher temperatures than natural grass. In one study from Penn State University, it was found that the heat index on artificial turf can reach up to 170 degrees Fahrenheit during hot, sunny conditions. Other research has found that artificial turf gets much hotter than surrounding surfaces, including asphalt. Natural grass stays cooler due to its moisture content and ability to evaporate heat.
Health Effects of Artificial Turf
Artificial turf can have serious health effects for athletes because of its intense heat potential, such as:
- Dehydration: High temperatures increase sweat production, leading to fluid loss. Dehydration makes it harder for the body to regulate its temperature, reducing muscle function and impairing concentration.
- Heat exhaustion: As heat exhaustion sets in, athletes may lose stamina and experience dizziness, weakness, nausea and heavy sweating. If left untreated, heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke.
- Heat stroke: When the body’s temperature regulation fails and core temperatures exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit, it can lead to intense confusion and loss of consciousness due to heat stroke. This condition requires immediate medical attention.
The rubber and synthetic fibers in turf can also get hot enough to cause minor burns, especially with prolonged skin contact. This risk is particularly concerning in sports like football, where players often dive or slide on the field.
Impact on Performance
Intense heat and the conditions it can cause may increase athletes’ likelihood of developing cramps and fatigue more quickly. Intense surface heat can also affect gameplay by changing how athletes interact with the field. While grass is a good option for heat absorption and athlete performance, it requires more maintenance and can become muddy or uneven in different weather conditions. Heat can also affect how a ball behaves on the field, especially with its bounce or speed, altering play conditions and strategy.
Why Artificial Turf Heats Up So Much
The absence of cooling properties combined with the construction of artificial turf is the main reason it gets so much hotter than natural grass. Its increased heat retention creates challenges for athlete protection and impacts the broader environment. Understanding how this material works with heat will help you identify areas where artificial turf may present a significant challenge in your project.
Materials Used in Artificial Turf
Artificial turf consists of materials like polypropylene, nylon and polyethylene, which mimic the appearance and texture of grass. These materials absorb heat rather than reflect it. The rubber infill also contributes to this heat retention. This rubber is dense and dark in color, adding to its ability to absorb and retain heat. The combination of these materials causes artificial turfs to heat up quickly and hold on to that heat on warm, sunny days.
Lack of Natural Cooling Mechanisms
Artificial turf lacks the ability to cool itself through processes like transpiration. Natural grass has moisture content and root systems that release water vapor into the air, lowering surface temperatures. Additionally, the soil underneath natural grass helps with heat absorption, storing it where the backing layer of artificial turf traps the heat closer to the surface, so it radiates upward.
Artificial Turf’s Environmental Impact
The high surface temperatures of artificial turf can contribute to the urban heat island effect, where built-up areas get significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to artificial surfaces’ heat retention. This localized heating can increase the need for cooling measures like specialized coatings or watering to reduce the turf’s temperature, leading to higher energy and water usage.
Although artificial turf reduces some maintenance tasks compared to grass, it’s vital to address its heat retention properties, environmental considerations and potential health effects on athletes.
The Solution: Shade Structures
Shade structures are an effective solution for mitigating the impact heat has on artificial turf fields. Their design blocks sunlight, helping to cool the field area and making it more bearable for players during competitions or training. Here are some of the key benefits of shade structures for sports fields:
- Lowers turf heat: Shade structures stop direct sunlight from reaching the artificial turf, decreasing the surface temperature and making it more comfortable for athletes to use. While it may not be possible to use shade structures for all types of sports turf, this protection can still be beneficial for practice areas and similar turf spaces.
- Protects from UV rays: Some of these structures can help block harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which heat the turf and damage synthetic fibers. Shade structures can prolong turf life span by reducing constant exposure to UV rays and intense heat. Additionally, these structures help reduce the turf’s heat island effect, contributing to a more comfortable and sustainable field.
- Shields specific areas: Facilities can ensure players have immediate access to cooler spaces during breaks by placing shade structures over high-traffic zones like the sidelines, goal areas and player benches. These structures can also create a comfortable viewing area for spectators, providing a cooler environment during games and events. This strategy can increase attendance while improving the overall experience at sports facilities.
Types of Shade Structures
USA SHADE offers several types of shade structures, each with unique features and advantages to help mitigate heat-related risks at sports facilities. Among the more popular options are our permanent, predesigned structures and our cantilever and custom solutions. Understanding the differences between these shade structures helps you select the right one for your project, whether for a sports field, dugout or basketball court.
Predesigned Shade Structures
Our predesigned shade structures provide long-term, fixed shading with sun protection. These structures have a four-week lead time from the order release date. They’re installed once and remain in place, making them ideal for areas that require consistent shade.
Our predesigned options are constructed with steel or aluminum frames for longevity and strength and can take different forms, including circular, triangular, square and rectangular. These structures are highly durable, require minimal maintenance, offer consistent shading and complement surrounding architecture.
Cantilever Shade Structures
Cantilever shade structures have a unique design. The shading canopy is supported by posts placed on either side rather than directly under the shaded area. They create a large shaded area with minimal obstructions, offering an open and spacious feel beneath the canopy. The benefits of these structures are:
- They’re designed for durability and strength.
- These structures use concrete footings, offering good stability.
- They can use single or double posts.
- These structures enhance the shaded space’s versatility.
Custom Shade Solutions
Our custom shade solutions are tailored specifically to meet the needs of their intended location, providing specialized shading that is unavailable in standard designs. These solutions are often created to match a specific architectural style or facility. Custom solutions can have designs with artistic elements and branding, include features like waterproofing and lighting, and offer creative freedom to give the space a distinct look.
Successful Implementations
At USA SHADE, we provide full design and build services for shade structures. We’re here to support your sports facility project with well-made shade structures that provide ample protection during hot, sunny weather and cooler, rainy days. Our team has extensive experience in providing customized shade structures for:
- Tennis courts
- Sports fields and similar facilities
- Pickleball courts
- Bleachers for local ballfields and large stadiums
- Baseball complexes
- Dugouts
- Stadiums, including soccer stadiums and swim centers
- Golf courses
- Basketball courts
Frequently Asked Questions
When choosing the right setup for sports facilities, you want to have ample insight into the nuances of your artificial turf and potential shade structures. This information will help you make the best decision to protect your athletes, patrons, staff and turf.
1. Can Watering Artificial Turf Help Reduce Its Temperature?
Watering can temporarily reduce the temperature of artificial turf, but the effect is short-lived. Water quickly evaporates, and the surface will heat up again soon after.
2. Are There Types of Artificial Turf That Stay Cooler?
Some manufacturers offer turf designed with heat-reducing technology, like cooling infills that use silica sand or reflective coatings. While these materials can reduce temperatures, the turf still remains warmer than natural grass.
3. Do You Need Special Building Permits for a Shade Structure?
Some areas may require a building permit before you install the shade structure. When you partner with USA SHADE, your Shade Consultant will assist you in obtaining the necessary documents and ensuring your structure meets local building codes.
4. How Long Do Shade Fabrics Last?
USA SHADE’s fabric uses GORE® TENARA® expanded polytetrafluoroethylene thread for long-term durability. These fabrics have a 10-year limited manufacturer warranty, so you’ll have greater peace of mind that your shade structures will perform as expected.
5. Do Shade Structures Require Maintenance?
Our high-density polyethylene fabric requires little maintenance. It can be cleaned with a water hose or power wash and diluted detergent as needed. You can also change the fabric as needed to keep up with evolving maintenance requirements.
Protect Athletes and Spectators With USA SHADE
Shade structures can reduce the heat on artificial turf, lowering the risk of athletes experiencing dehydration, heat exhaustion and other related illnesses and injuries. Their strategic placement and design provide targeted cooling to improve athlete and spectator comfort while boosting the turf’s longevity. Whether placed over sections of the playing field, on the sidelines or over the stands, shade structures can be invaluable in a sports field project.
For over 25 years, USA SHADE has been a proven leader in fabric structure and design technology. We have in-house experts in all departments, from design to engineering, manufacturing and construction, making us a single source for your company’s shade structure solutions. We’ll work hand in hand with your business to ensure you get custom shading that suits your budget and needs.
Whether you’re interested in our quick-ship, predesigned solutions or want to invest in a custom design, we’re here to help. Explore our solutions to see how we can help you protect against artificial turf heat. Alternatively, contact us to request a quote and let us be your partner in ensuring athlete comfort and protection.
