AstroTurf’s RootZone is well-known in the industry as a leading synthetic turf product. RootZone athletic fields are more durable, safer to play on, and they offer unrivaled value.
But when you dig into the benefits, you’ll find that the technology and processes behind the RootZone solve decades-old problems in ways other synthetic turf manufacturers aren’t close to matching.
The RootZone is in a league of its own when it comes to value, safety, and durability. This distinction is why AstroTurf has installed over 180,000,000 square feet of RootZone athletic fields over the last decade.
Let’s take a look at why AstroTurf’s RootZone is so much more than just another good-quality playing surface.
What Is the RootZone?
The RootZone is a layer of texturized fiber that encapsulates the sand and rubber infill layer. By holding in the infill and minimizing migration, it provides more consistent footing, enhanced cleat release, and better resistance to wear.
AstroTurf invented the first RootZone product in 1998. Over the years, our engineers have perfected the texturizing process to ensure optimal fiber texture and form with every batch we produce.
How AstroTurf’s RootZone Is Different?
Unlike other turf manufacturers that may use a thatch-like product, RootZone utilizes a series of proprietary texturizing processes that account for every possible influencing factor: temperature, humidity, pressure, and time. No one else does this.
AstroTurf has also installed more square feet of RootZone playing surfaces than other manufacturers – there aren’t any other companies with the same level of experience working with a texturized layer.
Another differentiator is value. Because AstroTurf focuses on the fibers, you get a superior product without paying more.
Benefit #1: Better Value
Most competitors use a heavy infill to distinguish their turf system. Essentially, they’re using more rubber and sand.
These materials are cheap, so the manufacturer can create artificial turf for less.
High-quality monofilament polyethylene fibers are expensive. So is the nylon RootZone layer. Still, these are the materials AstroTurf uses more of in our systems. Other manufacturers use fewer polyethylene fibers, and most don’t even have a texturized layer of ultra-strong nylon.
As a result, an AstroTurf RootZone field will cost more to make than a heavy infill system. However, the cost to you is roughly the same. In fact, some manufacturers charge more for their cheaply made heavy infill systems.
Why pay a lot of money for an artificial turf system that doesn’t offer the same level of performance, safety, or longevity?
Benefit #2: Proven Safety Benefits
Testing by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) shows that wherever infill moves, there is a difference in GMAX, which is the measurement of impact. This is a big deal – if the GMAX is too high, your playing surface doesn’t have enough shock absorption to prevent concussion.
The RootZone is specifically designed to reduce the movement of infill. By keeping it in place, players can expect more predictable footing and more uniform shock absorption.
The RootZone’s stability-enhancing technology can also help reduce soft tissue tears, sprains, and other common injuries. An independently funded study by Michigan State found the AstroTurf’s RootZone significantly reduces torque to the knees and ankles, and it’s shown to rank next to the gold standard for stable footing and traction: natural grass fields.
Benefit #3: Better Longevity
Not only does the RootZone’s reduction in infill migration impact the experience athletes have on the field. It also influences how long your field will last.
When AstroTurf conducted a spin test using a 1’ x 1’ sample of the RootZone 3D turf and competitor’s turf, the results were astounding.
AstroTurf spun the samples on their axis for one minute.
- The RootZone 3D sample lost 19.3% of infill.
- The competition lost 75.4%.
This is why you’ll start to see black infill splash on an artificial turf. Within five years or so, the surface might also have dangerous holes and weak spots.
On the other hand, at the five to eight-year mark, AstroTurf still offers the same performance, stability, and aesthetics as it provided when it was first installed.
The bottom line is, you’re getting far more years of use with less need for maintenance.
The RootZone Is the Best Choice for Football, Soccer, Baseball, and Multipurpose Athletic Surfaces
Colleges and universities, high schools, sports facilities, and professional sports teams choose AstroTurf RootZone fields because they offer clear benefits. It’s the artificial turf system that keeps getting better and better. Learn more about our RootZone 3D Series.