The synthetic turf market is growing at an impressive rate, with some projections exceeding the $8 billion mark by 2033. With this expansion comes a new pathway for installers to learn a trade that’s in high demand and for seasoned pros to diversify with a new skill set.
While some may enter the field without specialized education, newer turf materials are making it increasingly challenging to be successful without formal training. To better understand synthetic turf opportunities, I reached out to INSTALL training partner Bryan Humiston, co-owner of Play Safe Turf & Track in Ithaca, N.Y., for some insights.
What is driving growth in the synthetic turf market?
Growth is being driven by increasing demand for low-maintenance, cost-effective and water-efficient landscaping solutions as well as rising interest in year-round sports. In the Northeast, for instance, outdoor sports fields and playgrounds are subject to seasonal changes and weather that make natural grass fields time-consuming to maintain and frequently unsuitable for play. Likewise, expanding populations in cities and suburbs are limiting available spaces for sports and creating demand for communal fields and playgrounds.
What should installers know about turf’s safety and sustainability?
Questions about turf safety and sustainability often involve player exposure to older-style synthetic surfaces that use infill such as crumb rubber derived from recycled tires. (Infill is what makes the synthetic grass blades stand up to mimic real grass. It also provides shock absorption.) Unfortunately, most older turf systems are largely unrecyclable. Comparatively, newer products and systems do not require infill and can be 100% recyclable. Some states like New York are phasing out infill turf in favor of new non-infill alternatives, and several turf recycling facilities have already been constructed in the region with more on the way.
What should installers know about newer turf materials?
Older infill settles between the fibers and fluffs them up, making seams less visible.
By comparison, newer non-infill turf has no loose material to disguise mistakes. As such, installers must: cut seams more precisely; glue and tape with exacting pressure and alignment; and, occasionally, use special seam treatments or invisible seam techniques to avoid visible lines.
What are the takeaways for installers considering turf?
The synthetic turf market offers flooring pros opportunities to diversify. However, turf materials require specialized skills for successful installation. Professional training not only provides the essential knowledge and hands-on experience to do the job right but also the credentials to open doors. With turf project owners investing thousands or even millions of dollars in materials and labor, formal training isn’t an option; it’s a requirement if you want to see playtime.
David Gross is the executive director of INSTALL, a leading organization for floor covering installation training and certification in North America. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, an MBA and is a BCSP Certified Safety Professional with more than 30 years of hands-on floor installation experience. Visit installfloors.org for more information.
