Artificial Turf “Heat Issue:” How Hot Does Synthetic Grass Get When Exposed to Direct Sunlight?

Artificial turf has gained widespread popularity as a low-maintenance and durable alternative to natural grass. Its appeal lies in its ability to maintain a lush, green appearance year-round without the need for watering, mowing, or fertilizing. 

However, one critical concern remains for those considering synthetic grass: how hot does it get in the sun? As temperatures rise, understanding the heat retention properties of artificial turf is crucial for ensuring safety and comfort, especially in spaces used by children and pets. 

In this article, we’ll explore the factors contributing to the artificial turf heat issue, compare it to natural grass, and offer practical solutions to mitigate high surface temperatures.

Why Does Artificial Turf Get Hot?

Artificial grass retains heat when sitting in direct sunlight. The primary reason artificial turf gets hot is the absence of natural cooling processes. Natural grass stays cool through evapotranspiration, where water absorbed by the grass blades evaporates, cooling the surface. 

Synthetic grass, however, is made of materials that do not hold water or facilitate evaporation. The materials used in artificial turf, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, absorb and retain heat from the sun. 

Consequently, when exposed to sunlight, these materials absorb and retain heat, causing the turf to become hotter. As a result, the surface can become significantly hotter than the surrounding air temperature, posing discomfort and potential safety hazards.

Factors Influencing Artificial Turf Temperature

Several factors influence how hot artificial turf can get:

• Material Quality: Higher-quality materials often have better heat-mitigating properties.
• Weight: Heavier turf may retain more heat due to the density of the material.
• Color: Darker colors absorb more heat than lighter ones.
• Density: Denser turf can trap more heat.
• Infill Material: The type of infill used can significantly impact the turf’s temperature. Certain infills are designed to reflect sunlight or retain moisture, which helps in cooling the surface.

How Hot Does Synthetic Grass Get?

Like all synthetic fibers, artificial grass heats up under direct sunlight. It gets hotter than real grass, but modern turf is a far cry from the early days of AstroTurf. Modern turf products are not only more realistic but, stay cooler than previous generations of turf.

Cooling technology used in production ensures manageable heat, allowing your family to use the turf area year-round.

Some types of artificial grass are better at deflecting heat. Note that many studies on the temperature of artificial grass are very outdated.

For example, a study from the University of Maryland in 2010, tested natural grass, synthetic grass, and a parking lot on a 100°F day. The study found that the natural grass reached 94°F, artificial grass hit 157°F, and a parking lot peaked at 140°F.

A 2002 study from Bingham Young University, differs significantly from more recent findings.

Early studies in the 1990s were performed on professional sports fields, which used crumb rubber infill. Crumb rubber absorbs heat much more than modern infill materials, which handle heat better.

Many NFL and college football stadiums like AT&T Stadium in Dallas, TX and the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA use artificial grass instead of real grass. The best evidence of modern turf’s ability to handle heat is its popularity on sports fields, playgrounds, daycares, etc.

Artificial grass may be warmer than real grass, but it’s not dangerously hot even on scorching days. Other yard materials like decking or asphalt can pose more significant heat risks.

During peak summer heat, it’s generally too hot to be outside in direct sunlight. On such days, the extreme temperatures artificial grass reaches are unlikely to impact barefoot activities.

For areas around a backyard pool, shading can offer protection. After all, hot sand doesn’t deter beachgoers on sunny days!

Artificial Turf vs. Natural Grass: Comparing Temperatures

Natural grass stays cooler than artificial turf due to its biological properties. Grass blades contain water, and through the process of transpiration, they release water vapor, which cools the surface. 

In contrast, artificial turf lacks this cooling ability and can become much hotter under the same conditions. This difference makes natural grass more comfortable to walk on during hot weather, while artificial turf requires additional measures to reduce its temperature.

For a more in-depth comparison, check out our post: Artificial Turf vs. Real Grass: Side-by-Side Comparison Guide

Is Artificial Turf Safe for Children & Pets?

The safety of artificial turf for children and pets is a significant concern due to its high surface temperature. While synthetic grass is commonly used in kid-friendly and pet-friendly applications such as schools, daycares, dog parks, and playgrounds, its heat retention properties need to be addressed. 

Ensuring the surface temperature is manageable is crucial to prevent discomfort and heat-related issues. Despite the heat issue, artificial turf’s popularity in these areas indicates that with proper management, it can be safe for children and pets.

How to Combat the “Heat Issue” & Lower the Surface Temp. of Artificial Turf?

Reducing the surface temperature of artificial turf is essential for improving safety and comfort. Here are several strategies to keep the turf cool:

Choose High-Quality Artificial Turf

Opting for high-quality artificial turf can make a significant difference in managing heat. Premium turf products include UV protection to reflect sunlight rather than absorb it. 

Additionally, certain blade shapes, such as ‘M-shaped’ or Omega-shaped, expose less material to direct sunlight, reducing surface temperatures. It’s best to choose a blade shape that is not flat and wide as this can prevent adequate airflow and increase the absorption of heat. Three-dimensional, hollow blade shapes aid the cooling of the area.  Lighter-colored turf also absorbs less heat compared to darker shades, making it a better choice for hotter climates.

Use a Cooling Infill

The infill material used in artificial turf installations plays a crucial role in heat management. Evaporative cooling infill materials, such as T°Cool and HydroChill, help reduce turf temperature by holding and slowly releasing water. These infills mimic the natural cooling process of grass, significantly lowering the surface temperature of the turf.

T°Cool Infill

TºCool® infill is an innovative evaporative cooling technology that reduces synthetic turf surface temperatures by 35° F – 50° F without compromising the performance benefits. T°Cool® is an eco-friendly solution that cools synthetic turf up to 50ºF by coating the turf’s infill to combat the heat and make the synthetic turf surfaces cooler, safer and more playable.

To create this evaporative cooling effect T°Cool® simply requires hydration in the form of irrigation, rainfall, or humidity to continuously activate – making it the only proven synthetic turf cooling infill that cools the entire synthetic turf system for sustained periods of time.

In addition to the maximum, sustained cooling TºCool provides, TºCool is Infused with the non-metal, BIO BASED Antimicrobial, BacShield®. Derived from the renewable resource, Chitosan, BacShield helps to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew, and prevents stains, odors and product deterioration. BacShield is sustainable, renewable, hypo-allergenic, and biodegradable.

HydroChill Infill

Hydrochill (a.k.a. Chill fill) is the coolest infill available hands down. It is made of sand that’s covered with a proprietary coating from the manufacturer. With the help of evaporative cooling (think spraying the turf off quickly with a hose or sprinkler), this coating slows heat absorption in direct sunlight and sheds heat at a better rate than any other infill. 

Hydrochill is a sand so it will have similar downsides as that of other sands. It won’t absorb shock very well, and it will be slightly more abrasive if one were to slide on it like in soccer.

SafeShell® & SmoothPlay Infill™

SafeShell® and SafeShell SmoothPlay™ are both part of the Motz Group’s organic infill lineup, made from 100% USA-grown walnut shells. These infills provide all the benefits of a natural infill while maintaining safety, integrity, and quality. They are low-maintenance, long-lasting, and safe for people, pets, and the environment, making them a significant improvement for turf systems.

Safeshell SmoothPlay™ is Motz’s latest innovation in infills, designed to be cooler, with less friction and high durability. Its fine granular size allows it to settle easily into dense turf systems, resulting in a less abrasive surface. Abrasion in SmoothPlay is reduced by up to 42% compared to traditional crumb rubber and sand systems. It’s recommended for sports such as soccer, baseball, and American football.

Creating Shaded Areas

Adding shade structures, such as canopies, trees, or pergolas, can effectively reduce the heat absorbed by artificial turf. By blocking direct sunlight, these structures prevent the turf from reaching excessively high temperatures. This approach not only keeps the turf cooler but also provides comfortable shaded areas for children and pets.

Spray With a Hose or Run Sprinklers

Spraying the turf with a hose or running sprinklers for a short period can quickly lower the surface temperature. This method should really only be necessary during the hottest months.

However, this method has its drawbacks, including water usage and the temporary nature of the cooling effect. While it provides immediate relief, it’s not a sustainable long-term solution for keeping artificial turf cool.

Maintaining Artificial Turf to Minimize Heat

Regular maintenance can also help in reducing the surface temperature of artificial turf. Brushing the turf to keep it upright and free from debris enhances airflow, preventing heat buildup. 

Additionally, preventing infill compaction ensures that the cooling infill materials work effectively. Properly maintained turf allows for better air circulation and reduces heat retention.