SURFACES
3G/4G sythentic surface
A 3G pitch is an artificial grass surface with an infill system of sand and rubber crumb: primarily designed for football and rugby.
3G pitches are the most significant and successful development in synthetic surface technology designed for football and rugby at both competitive and recreational levels. In 3G turf, the pile (artificial grass 'blades') is supported by a thin base layer of sand, and by an infill of rubber crumb. The pile height ranges from 40mm to 65mm depending on which primary sport is to be played on the surface.
In construction, the 3G sports turf can be laid onto various bases from the 'Dynamic System' of stone base with or without a shockpad, to the top specification 'Engineered System' of stone base, porous tarmac layer, and shockpad.
Sand-dressed synthetic surface
Sand-dressed artificial turf is a high specification synthetic sports surface designed specifically for fast paced hockey. Unlike sand-filled surface, the playing surface is only partially filled (usually about two-thirds of the pile height) so the game is played on the sports carpet, not the sand infill.
Sand-dressed systems usually have a pile height of between 18 and 22mm and can be accredited with an FIH certificate: FIH Global certification is mandatory for all surfaces that host international-level competitions and tournaments. FIH National certification is suitable for national and regional hockey competition.
Sand-filled synthetic surface
The original Astroturf TM in the United States circa 1965 was the first type of synthetic grass surface to be developed and was used in the Houston Astrodome for American football. Whilst the sand infill system required by this surface has remained a constant, the technology of synthetic grass has increased extensively.
The sand-filled system is the ultimate all-round, all-weather sports surface: it can accommodate almost all sports such as hockey, tennis, football, netball, basketball, volleyball, rounders, cricket and athletics, and its key selling point is its durability: play takes place largely on the infill layer which protects the synthetic grass from wear and tear.