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Are you considering silica sand infill in your home’s artificial turf lawn? Sand infill is commonly used in synthetic turf lawn installations, but it might not be the best option, especially if your home includes dogs or kids.
Homeowners tend to choose sand infill because it has a reputation for being the cheapest turf infill option. And while it may appear to be the cheapest option initially, silica sand infill tends to become quite expensive as common issues like unpleasant odors and less than optimal drainage occur.
So what’s the smartest option with the best long-term outcome and affordability? The clear solution is Envirofill. It’s the only turf infill for synthetic grass designed to be low-maintenance, long-lasting, safe, pet-friendly, and odor-free in home landscapes. When compared to Envirofill, silica sand infill simply doesn’t measure up. Here’s why.
Why is Envirofill the most dog-friendly option for artificial turf grass?
Unlike silica sand infill, Envirofill is infused with Microban® anti-microbial protection, which reduces ammonia odor in pet urine by up to 99% and is scientifically proven to disrupt the bacterial process that results in unwanted odors. With Envirofill, you can expect well over a decade of odorless artificial grass, because Microban protection lasts throughout Envirofill’s 16-year warranty and life cycle.
How does that compare to sand? Silica sand infill exposed to dog urine for that many years is sure to produce strong, unpleasant odors and is widely known to make synthetic grass smelly in homes with dogs and other pets. Homeowners spend considerable money calling back their artificial turf installers in order to combat this issue.
You deserve odor-free synthetic grass and an outdoor living space that your whole family can enjoy. Install Envirofill in your artificial grass landscape and that’s exactly what you’ll get. For more information about Envirofill’s pet odor reduction benefits, visit our pets page.
Silica sand infill raises safety concerns and its packaging must be sold with a warning label that reads “DANGER: SILICA DUST HAZARD. Exposure to crystalline silica dust can cause cancer or silicosis. Avoid breathing dust.” Silica sand in artificial grass contains dust particles that, if inhaled over a long period of time, can lead to extreme health problems. For homeowners who share their homes with kids, pets, and people with compromised health, those implications are understandably worrying.
Luckily, Envirofill is an exceptionally safe alternative to silica sand infill. It has been tested and proven to be free of toxins and is even exempt from California’s Prop 65 labeling requirements, which protects consumers in California by requiring companies to display warning labels on products with chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Envirofill is one of the few synthetic grass turf infills on the market with this labeling exemption.
Dust is another hassle associated with silica sand infill in synthetic grass. If conditions are wet when sand infill is installed, dust will stick to the clothes and brooms used to install it. Even after installation, you’ll likely come across residual silica dust, especially on kids’ clothes or pets’ fur, after rolling around and playing on your synthetic turf’s surface.
Choose Envirofill and avoid the dust. Envirofill sand grains are washed 3 separate times to remove dust residue thoroughly. Then, the clean grains are encapsulated with a coating, ensuring a much cleaner, less dusty synthetic turf surface.
Photos above depict coated sand Envirofill turf infill vs. uncoated silica sand turf infill
Another perk of using Envirofill? The sand used in its manufacturing is mined from the ground as round grains, a shape that naturally allows for optimal water drainage while also resisting compaction. By comparison, silica sand infill has an angular grain structure, a shape that impairs drainage while accelerating compaction.
Envirofill can be used in every kind of synthetic turf application, from professional athletic fields to dog parks, backyards, playgrounds, putting greens, pools and more. That’s not true for silica sand infill, which is an indicator of its limited capabilities in terms of drainage and compaction.
It makes sense that you would choose a turf infill for your artificial turf grass system that allows for proper drainage. Choosing Envirofill means your turf infill won’t compromise the integrity of your home or yard.
When you purchase silica sand infill for artificial grass, it will come in an unbranded bag. There will be no company to reach out to should you have problems, and you most certainly won’t get a warranty with its purchase.
Envirofill is the only turf infill on the market with a 16-year warranty. The product is made and backed by Motz, a trusted brand with over 45 years of experience in turf system design. The peace of mind that comes with this sort of warranty is priceless.
So, when it comes to your synthetic grass installation, remember: choose infill wisely. It’s the single most important decision you’ll make in terms of maintenance, performance, and safety.
For more information on the differences between Envirofill and sand infill, reach out to a member of our team!