SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN IMPROVED ARTIFICIAL TURF
Embodiments of a synthetic turf system are disclosed generally comprising: a water barrier or impermeable layer adapted to be placed on top of a soil surface; a water permeable foam pad for the collection and drainage of water; a water permeable substrate material; a plurality of tufts coupled to the substrate material formed to resemble grass; a layer of non-resilient particles placed on the substrate material, and a layer of resilient particles placed on top of the layer of non-resilient particles.
1 . A synthetic turf system comprising:
a water impermeable liner adapted to be placed above a soil surface;
a water permeable cross-linked polyethylene foam pad having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side is placed above the water impermeable liner and having a plurality of channels defined on the bottom side for the collection and drainage of water;
a substrate material having a first side, a second side, and a plurality of holes to allow water to pass from the first side to the second side;
a plurality of tufts coupled to the substrate material and extending 1.3″ to 1.8″ from the first side of the substrate material;
a layer of non-resilient particles positioned on the first side of the substrate material, wherein the layer of non-resilient particles has a thickness substantially in the range of 8 to 12 mm; and
a layer of resilient particles placed on top of the layer of non-resilient particles, wherein the layer of resilient particles has a thickness substantially in the range of 8 to 12 mm.
2 . The synthetic turf system of claim 1 , wherein the non-resilient particles is silica sand.
3 . The synthetic turf system of claim 2 , wherein the silica sand has an average mesh size between 20 to 40 mesh.
4 . The synthetic turf system of claim 1 , wherein the resilient particles is selected from the group consisting of rubber and elastomeric materials.
5 . The synthetic turf system of claim 1 , wherein the water permeable cross-linked polyethylene foam is a high density polyethylene foam.
6 . The synthetic turf system of claim 1 , wherein the water permeable cross-linked polyethylene foam pad has a thickness range between 0.75″ to 1.25″.
7 . The synthetic turf system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.
8 . The synthetic turf system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate further comprises:
a top layer of woven polypropylene fabric,
an intermediate layer of non-woven fabric,
a bottom layer of woven polypropylene fabric, and
a layer of polyurethane applied to the bottom layer.
9 . The synthetic turf system of claim 1 , wherein the water permeable cross-linked polyethylene foam comprises a plurality of foam particulates having diameters ranging from approximately ⅛″ to 1″.
10 . The synthetic turf system of claim 1 , wherein the water permeable cross-linked polyethylene foam comprises a plurality of randomly dispersed foam particulates.
11 . The synthetic turf system of claim 1 , wherein the water permeable cross-linked polyethylene foam comprises a plurality of randomly dispersed foam particulates which have been fused together.
12 . A synthetic turf kit comprising:
a plurality of rolls of water impermeable material adapted to be placed above a soil surface when unrolled;
a plurality of rolls of water permeable foam pads having a plurality of longitudinal channels defined on one side;
a plurality of rolls of a synthetic turf material, wherein the synthetic turf material comprises:
a multi-layer substrate;
a plurality of perforations defined through the multi-layer substrate; and
a plurality of tufts having an average length extending between 1.3″ to 1.8″ away from the substrate;
a predetermined amount of non-resilient particles having an average mesh size ranging from 10 to 50; and
a predetermined amount of resilient particles for placement on top of the layer of non-resilient particles having a mesh size ranging from 8 to 22.
13 . The synthetic turf kit of claim 12 , wherein the perforations are weep holes positioned at a predetermined spacing.
14 . The synthetic turf kit of claim 12 , wherein the resilient particles is selected from the group consisting of rubber or elastomeric materials.
15 . The synthetic turf kit of claim 12 , wherein the water permeable foam is selected from the group consisting of recyclable foam, cross-linked polyethylene foam, and cross-linked high density polyethylene foam.
16 . The synthetic turf kit of claim 12 , wherein the water permeable foam pad has a thickness ranging from approximately 0.75″ to 1.25″.
17 . The synthetic turf kit of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of channels have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.
18 . The synthetic turf kit of claim 12 , wherein the water permeable foam comprises a plurality of randomly dispersed foam particles.
19 . The synthetic turf kit of claim 12 , wherein the multi-layer substrate further comprises:
a top layer of woven polypropylene fabric,
an intermediate layer of non-woven fabric,
a bottom layer of woven polypropylene fabric, and
a layer of polyurethane applied to the bottom layer.
20 . A method of installing a synthetic turf system comprising:
grading a soil surface to a predetermined grade;
placing a water barrier on top of the soil surface;
positioning a water permeable foam pad having a plurality of channels defined on the one side on top of the water barrier such that the plurality of channels face the water barrier;
placing water permeable turf material on top of the water permeable foam;
placing a layer of non-resilient particles on top of the synthetic turf material to a depth of approximately 8 to 12 mm; and
placing a layer of resilient particles on top of the layer of non-resilient particles to a depth of 8 and 12 mm.