Some football teams in the professional, college and high school ranks have opted to use turf fields in their stadiums in place of grass. While turf has its benefits, some teams choose to stick with grass because of the perceived downsides of turf. Before you choose to go with turf, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of the decision.
Cost
One of the most important factors to consider is the cost of turf compared to grass. There is a significant initial cost in installing turf, as it often involves tearing up and removing all of the existing grass. If you are starting from scratch, however, grass may be more expensive to install, as it requires excavating, drainage, irrigation and a sand fill. New turf fields may cost upwards of $1 million to install, but grass often costs more to maintain, as you have to pay for more water, pesticides, seed and labor. Maintenance for grass fields can range upwards of $30,000 per year, while turf fields cost about $5,000 per year to maintain, according to the Sandford Group.
Injury
Grass can cause more injuries than turf, especially in inclement weather. Grass fields accumulate wear and tear, and divots in the grass can commonly cause twisted ankles and other injuries. Installing turf does not eliminate the risk of injury, however, as turf can become slick when wet and cause slips and falls.
Maintenence
Grass requires weekly maintenance, from cutting and painting to fixing divots and applying pesticides, all of which come at a cost. Turf also does not come without maintenance, as it requires sweeping and aerating to keep it in the best shape possible. Grass fields will eventually need replacing over time, and that longevity is shorter than that of a turf field.
Chemicals
Many grass fields require the application of chemicals and pesticides to keep the field in prime condition, which also comes at a cost. However, turf fields are not immune to the dangers of chemicals; some types of turf have potentially dangerous amounts of lead, zinc and other toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium and selenium. It is possible to avoid these dangers when installing turf, but you must make sure to purchase the turf and paint that comes without these chemicals.
Heat
Turf fields absorb and retain heat at a higher rate than natural grass. According to a BYU study, the surface temperature of artificial turf can rise to 37 degrees higher than the actual temperature. This can cause heat stroke and heat exhaustion, both of which can be deadly. If the field is positioned in shade and not used during peak heat hours, the field can be perfectly safe, but this factor needs to be taken into consideration when thinking about installing turf.
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