When selecting non-infill artificial grass, two parameters are especially critical—pile height and turf density. Pile height influences tactile comfort and functional performance, while density determines durability, resilience, and stability. Choosing the wrong combination can shorten product lifespan or compromise user experience. Different applications—from sports fields and children’s playgrounds to home landscaping—demand tailored specifications. This guide explores common ranges, selection logic, and practical case studies, along with customized solutions from VivaTurf, a global pioneer in non-infill grass technology.
Pile Height: Balancing Functionality and Comfort
Contrary to popular belief, longer turf fibers are not always better. Instead, the optimal pile height depends on usage scenarios and user needs. Industry standards typically range between 10 mm and 50 mm, segmented into three major categories.
Leisure and Landscaping (10–25 mm)
Ideal for residential yards, balconies, commercial landscaping, and decorative rooftops where aesthetics and low maintenance are priorities. Shorter fibers are easier to clean, less prone to dust retention, and visually resemble freshly mown natural grass. For instance, a premium community in Shanghai adopted 20 mm non-infill grass combined with floral landscaping, maintaining high visual quality and low maintenance after three years of use.Children’s Play Areas (20–30 mm)
Designed to balance safety and comfort, this range is well-suited for kindergartens, playgrounds, and family-friendly spaces. At 25 mm, the turf provides effective cushioning and reduces impact injuries, especially when combined with elastic underlayers. VivaTurf’s testing shows compliance with national safety standards, ensuring shock absorption values exceed 50%.Sports Fields (30–50 mm)
Professional and recreational sports require enhanced ball performance, shock absorption, and durability. Short-pile sports turf (30–35 mm) fits basketball and five-a-side football pitches, while long-pile options (40–50 mm) meet FIFA performance benchmarks for full-size soccer fields. For example, a semi-professional football club in Hangzhou installed 45 mm VivaTurf non-infill grass, achieving excellent resilience and minimal wear after over a year of heavy daily use.
Density: The Hidden Key to Turf Longevity
Density, measured as tuft count per square meter, directly affects wear resistance and structural stability. Industry values range from 10,500 to over 73,000 tufts per square meter. High-density turf delivers greater comfort and visual realism, while moderate density balances performance and cost.
Sports Applications (10,500–26,250 tufts/㎡)
Athletic surfaces must withstand intense and repeated stress. Football fields perform best at 10,500–18,900 tufts/㎡ with longer fibers, while tennis and basketball courts benefit from denser turf (21,000–26,250 tufts/㎡) to enhance surface flatness and reduce tripping risks. VivaTurf laboratory data show that at 26,250 tufts/㎡, tuft loss remains below 0.1% after 100,000 abrasion cycles—far outperforming industry averages.Leisure and Children’s Applications (20,000–73,080 tufts/㎡)
Here, comfort and safety take precedence. Densities above 30,000 tufts/㎡ produce natural visual appeal, while ultra-high-density (50,000–73,080 tufts/㎡) grass ensures smooth, cushiony play surfaces for children. A kindergarten in Beijing reported that parents appreciated the safer play conditions of VivaTurf’s 73,080 tufts/㎡ turf, as it prevented debris accumulation and avoided fabric snagging.
Key Considerations for Choosing the Right Combination
Rather than blindly pursuing the highest specifications, decision-makers should evaluate three core factors:
Usage frequency: Heavy-use fields like schools or stadiums require 30–50 mm height with 18,900–26,250 tufts/㎡ density. Family gardens with lighter use perform well with 15–25 mm and 20,000–30,000 tufts/㎡.
Budget balance: Every 10,000 tuft increase typically raises costs by 15–20 RMB/㎡. Communities can often meet functional needs with mid-range density without overspending.
Structural conditions: Rooftops or balconies may require shorter, lighter turf (10–20 mm, ≤30,000 tufts/㎡), while uneven bases benefit from denser systems that mask surface imperfections.
VivaTurf Non-Infill Grass: Tailored for Every Scenario
As the industry leader in non-infill turf innovation, VivaTurf delivers customizable pile height and density solutions for all applications.
Diverse Specifications: Options include 15 mm for landscape aesthetics, 25 mm with antibacterial technology for children’s zones, 35 mm for multipurpose sports, and 50 mm FIFA-certified systems for elite football pitches. Density is adjustable between 10,500 and 73,080 tufts/㎡.
Advanced Engineering: High-density tufting ensures uniform fiber distribution, while triple-layer PE materials improve resilience by 40% compared with standard products. Reinforced backings with fiberglass grids achieve tensile strength up to 35 N/cm, preventing deformation even under heavy use.
Professional Services: VivaTurf offers on-site surveys and customized design proposals. For example, a community playground in Guangzhou received a tailored 28 mm, 60,000 tufts/㎡ solution, balancing child safety with project affordability.
By 2024, VivaTurf has delivered more than 800 customized projects nationwide, spanning professional sports arenas, residential gardens, kindergartens, and commercial complexes. With the right pile height and density combination, every turf system can achieve durability, safety, and performance. VivaTurf’s non-infill grass ensures precision-matched solutions for every scenario.