Sports & Play Surface Installation and Maintenance Specialists Call us on - 01332 292 202 or email info@novasport.co.uk

Football pitches and 3G artificial turf go back a long way. In fact, this kind of surface has been popular in sport since the 1960s. The design has come a long way since then and today it’s often difficult to tell the difference between real and artificial grass – except when it comes to the cost and maintenance benefits involved. According to the FA there are now around 889 3G football pitches across the UK with more being installed all the time thanks to the range of benefits that this type of surfacing offers.

  • An all weather option. The weather in the UK can cause plenty of problems with surfacing, from waterlogged pitches through to ground that is hard and unsafe in the summer. However, that’s not something you need to worry about with a 3G football pitch, as it is reliable and consistent all year round.
  • An environmentally friendly option. There are a number of ways in which artificial grass is a better option than the real thing where the environment is concerned. Firstly, there is no need to water 3G artificial grass so less water is consumed. Plus, artificial grass doesn’t require the use of any toxic chemicals.
  • Durable and able to withstand frequent use. In fact, artificial grass has been specifically designed to be used a lot. So, you can use it intensively and it will still look fresh with very little indication of wear and tear. Regular grass needs a lot more recovery time and it simply wouldn’t be possible to use it in the same way, day and night.
  • Minimising the risk of injury. As artificial grass has evolved, so too have the ways to minimise the risk of injury through the use of features like underlays. Foam shock pads help to ensure that no one, amaetur or professional, needs to worry overly about getting injured because everything possible has been done to prevent this.
  • As good as the real thing. Because of the advances in design when it comes to artificial grass, it often looks – and feels – just like the real thing. Thanks to developments like the use of different types of infill, artificial grass now mimics the playing surface qualities of real grass, from the bounce to the shock absorption. However, artificial turf has a major benefit – it might feel like grass but it has none of the unevenness, lumps and bumps that are often found on a real grass pitch.
  • Far less maintenance required. Artificial pitches require almost no maintenance, which is in direct contrast to a real grass pitch. Regular drag brushing can be useful to redistribute the infill layer but this is a quick process – and the only one necessary for 3G maintenance.
  • Easy to design for unique specifications. An artificial pitch can be created to meet exact specifications, whether that relates to budget or size. There’s no need to compromise, as you can get exactly what you need with artificial turf.

From being a more environmentally sound option to aesthetic and performance, these are just some of the benefits of a 3G football pitch.