What Is Turf Made Of and Why It Matters

Artificial turf is made of plastic fibers like polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon; infill materials such as rubber, sand, or organic particles; and a backing system coated with latex or polyurethane to hold everything together. These components and materials work in unison to replicate the look and feel of natural grass while offering consistent performance and durability.

In this guide, we break down each layer of turf—what it’s made of, how it works, and why it matters. You’ll learn how different fiber materials like polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon affect softness and strength; what role infill types like rubber, sand, or organic particles play; and how backing systems contribute to drainage and lifespan.

We’ll also walk through the full structure of turf systems, explain how turf is manufactured, clarify what “plastic” really means in this context, and compare turf to natural grass from a material perspective—so you can make a better-informed choice.

What Is Artificial Turf Made Of?

Artificial turf is made of several layers that work together to look and perform like natural grass. While many people focus only on the green surface, turf is actually a multi-layered system designed for durability, drainage, and comfort.

Most artificial turf systems include three main components:

• Fibers (or yarn): These are the visible “blades of grass” made from materials like polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon.
• Infill: Small particles such as sand, rubber, or organic material added between the fibers to provide stability, cushioning, and weight.
• Backing: A dual-layer structure that holds the fibers in place and allows water to drain through. It’s usually made from latex or polyurethane, which adds strength and flexibility.

Underneath the turf, there is often a compact base layer made of crushed stone or gravel to support the turf and assist with water flow.

Each of these parts plays a different role in how the turf looks, feels, and performs. In the next sections, we’ll take a closer look at the materials used in each layer and how they affect the overall turf system.

Main Materials in Artificial Turf Fibers

The surface of artificial turf is made of synthetic fibers, also called yarns or grass blades. These fibers give turf its appearance, texture, and resilience. Choosing the right fiber material is essential because it affects how the turf looks, feels, performs—and how long it lasts.

Artificial turf fibers are commonly made from three types of plastic: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and nylon. Each has unique properties and is used for different applications. Below, we’ll break down the features of each type:

Polyethylene (PE)

Polyethylene is the most commonly used fiber material in artificial turf, especially for residential lawns, landscaping, and pet areas. It’s known for its soft texture, natural appearance, and UV resistance.

PE fibers are:

• Gentle underfoot, making them ideal for children and pets
• Durable in outdoor weather conditions
• Often used with sand or organic infill for stability

Most high-quality landscape turf products today are made primarily with polyethylene.

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is a more affordable fiber option, often used for decorative turf, low-traffic areas, or temporary installations. It has a stiffer texture and is less UV resistant compared to PE.

PP fibers:

• Are budget-friendly and lightweight
• Tend to flatten more quickly with foot traffic
• Can be combined with other materials to reduce cost

Because of its limitations, PP is rarely used for high-performance or premium turf applications.

Nylon

Nylon is the strongest and most durable of the three turf fiber types. It offers excellent resilience, heat resistance, and shape retention, even under heavy use.

Nylon fibers:

• Bounce back after pressure, making them ideal for sports or training areas
• Handle high temperatures without melting or warping
• Are typically more expensive than PE or PP

Nylon is often used in commercial or athletic turf systems where performance matters more than softness.

To help you quickly compare the most common artificial turf fiber materials, the table below summarizes the key differences between polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Ratings use a 1 to 5 scale, where 5 means excellent performance in that category.

What Is Turf Infill Made Of?

Turf infill is the material placed between the blades of artificial grass. It helps the fibers stand upright, adds cushioning, improves traction, and supports drainage. The type of infill you choose can significantly affect the turf’s performance, feel, and even its surface temperature.

There are three common types of turf infill materials: crumb rubber, silica sand, and organic infill. Each has different characteristics, benefits, and ideal use cases.

Crumb Rubber

Crumb rubber is made from recycled tires that have been processed into small black pellets. It’s one of the most widely used infill materials, especially for athletic fields.

Key features of crumb rubber:

• Excellent shock absorption, making it ideal for sports applications
• Adds bounce and resilience to the turf surface
• Can retain heat, which may be uncomfortable in hot climates
• May raise concerns about odor or chemical exposure in enclosed areas

Due to its durability and cushioning, crumb rubber is popular in stadiums and playgrounds, though some users prefer more natural alternatives.

Silica Sand

Silica sand is a natural, fine-grain material used to provide weight and support for artificial grass fibers. It doesn’t offer as much softness as rubber but is often used in landscaping.

Key features of silica sand:

• Affordable and widely available
• Helps keep turf blades upright and stable
• Doesn’t retain as much heat as rubber
• Not designed for high-impact areas or sports use

Silica sand is ideal for low-traffic lawns, decorative areas, and pet zones where minimal cushioning is acceptable.

Organic Infill

Organic infills are made from biodegradable materials such as cork, coconut husk, or walnut shells. They are designed as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic options.

Key features of organic infill:

• Natural and sustainable, with low environmental impact
• Helps regulate surface temperature better than rubber or sand
• Offers moderate shock absorption and comfort
• May decompose or compact over time, requiring periodic replacement

Organic infill is a good choice for eco-conscious users, pet areas, and residential lawns focused on heat control and sustainability.

We’ve summarized the main differences between crumb rubber, silica sand, and organic infills below. Use this table to compare their performance across key criteria:

*Maintenance Level: Higher scores indicate lower upkeep requirements over time.

Turf Backing Materials and Structure Explained

The backing layer is the foundation of artificial turf. It sits beneath the fibers and infill, holding everything together and providing the stability needed for long-term use. While it’s not visible from the surface, the turf backing plays a critical role in durability, drainage, and installation.

Artificial turf backing is typically made up of two layers:

• The primary backing, usually a woven polypropylene fabric, acts as the base into which the turf fibers are tufted.
• The secondary backing, often a coating of latex or polyurethane (PU), is applied to seal and lock the fibers in place.

Together, these layers create a strong and flexible structure. The backing system allows the turf to be rolled and installed without damaging the yarns, and it also supports water permeability through pre-punched drainage holes or engineered designs.

The choice between latex and polyurethane as the secondary coating can affect performance. Latex is more cost-effective and sufficient for landscaping, while PU offers higher bonding strength, better shape retention, and improved resistance to moisture—ideal for high-performance or heavy-use applications.

A well-constructed backing not only ensures the turf holds together under stress, but also plays a major role in how well the turf drains, how easy it is to install, and how long it lasts.

Artificial Turf System Structure Overview

Artificial turf is more than just synthetic grass—it’s a layered system designed for performance, comfort, and durability. Understanding how each layer functions helps you choose the right turf product for your space and needs.

A complete turf system typically consists of four structural layers, each serving a specific purpose:

1. The surface layer, made of synthetic fibers
2. The infill layer, which supports the fibers and absorbs impact
3. The backing layer, which holds the turf together and allows drainage
4. The base layer, which forms the foundation beneath the turf

Here’s a breakdown of what each layer does:

Surface Layer (Fibers)

This is the visible top layer that gives artificial turf its grass-like look and feel. It’s made from synthetic fibers—usually polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon—that are tufted into the backing. This layer affects the appearance, softness, and overall user experience.

Infill Layer

The infill layer consists of materials like rubber, sand, or organic matter spread between the turf fibers. It adds weight to anchor the turf, helps keep the blades standing upright, and provides cushioning underfoot. Infill also plays a role in temperature control and shock absorption.

Backing Layer

Located below the fibers and infill, the backing is a dual-layer system made of woven fabric (primary backing) and a bonding material like latex or polyurethane (secondary backing). This layer holds the fibers in place, adds structural strength, and enables drainage through perforations.

Base Layer (Sub-base/Foundation)

This is the compacted layer of crushed rock or gravel beneath the turf. It provides a stable foundation for the turf system, supports water drainage, and ensures a smooth, level installation. A well-prepared base is essential for turf performance and longevity.

Is Artificial Turf Made of Plastic?

Yes—artificial turf is made primarily of plastic. The visible “grass” fibers are manufactured from polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon, all of which are synthetic polymers derived from petroleum. These materials are engineered to be flexible, UV-resistant, and strong enough to endure years of outdoor use.

But while the term “plastic” might sound cheap or harmful, the plastics used in artificial turf are specialized, performance-grade materials. They’re formulated to resist fading, weathering, and physical stress. Unlike disposable plastic products, turf fibers are meant to last for 8 to 15 years, depending on the application.

Additionally, the backing layer of turf is typically made of polypropylene fabric and coated with latex or polyurethane, both of which are also synthetic compounds.

So while artificial turf is technically made of plastic, it’s not the kind found in packaging or single-use products. Instead, it’s a durable, purpose-built material system designed for long-term performance. And many turf manufacturers now offer recyclable or partially recycled turf products, especially for large-scale commercial and sports projects.

How Artificial Turf Is Manufactured

At Jcturf, artificial turf production is not just a process—it’s the result of 15 years of technical refinement, world-class equipment, and an uncompromising approach to quality. As a full-cycle manufacturer, we integrate R&D, raw material processing, tufting, backing, and quality control into one streamlined system.

Artificial turf manufacturing typically follows four essential stages: fiber extrusion, tufting, backing application, and final finishing. Here’s how it works in real production—not theory, but how we do it every day at Jcturf:

1. Extrusion: Engineering High-Performance Fibers

We begin with raw polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or nylon pellets. These materials are melted and extruded into monofilament or slit-film fibers using precision-controlled extruders. We use only stabilized, UV-resistant compounds to ensure long-term color retention and structural integrity—even under harsh sunlight or high traffic.

Depending on application needs, we produce various cross-sectional profiles—S-type, M-type, diamond-shape, U-shape, and more—each designed to improve rebound, softness, uprightness, or abrasion resistance.

2. Tufting: Aligning Precision with Blade Density

Using advanced tufting machines, fibers are stitched into a woven PP primary backing with precise control over stitch rate, pile height, and gauge. Jcturf’s equipment supports both straight and curled yarns, allowing us to produce complex blends for sports, landscape, or specialty turf.

Every tufting operation is computer-calibrated to minimize fiber drop and optimize pile uniformity across full-width rolls.

3. Backing: Coating for Strength and Stability

After tufting, the rolls are sent into our 70-meter-long automated drying and coating tunnel. Here, we apply latex (SBR) or polyurethane (PU) as a secondary backing, depending on performance requirements.

This process permanently locks the yarn into place, ensures flexibility, and supports drainage via laser-controlled punching. The tunnel features automatic curing, heat setting, pre-shrinking, and dimensional stabilization—all key for long-term durability and installation accuracy.

4. Finishing: Quality Comes Standard

Each finished roll is cut, inspected, rolled, and packaged with strict tolerance control. Our in-house lab is equipped with LISPORT XL wear testers, QUV weather aging chambers, and tensile testing machines to simulate years of use before the turf even leaves our facility.

From tensile strength to tuft bind to UV colorfastness, every lot is traceable, and every defect is documented—not just to comply with ISO/SGS/CE standards, but to exceed them.

For non-professional readers: knowing how artificial turf is made can help you understand what separates premium turf from cheap roll-stock products. It’s not just about “green plastic”—it’s about polymer science, fiber design, precision backing, and rigorous testing.

For professionals: understanding this process helps you evaluate turf quality at the source, not just on paper.

At Jcturf, manufacturing is where our promises begin. Because durability, performance, and safety all start on the production line—and we’re proud to own every step of it.

What Is Football Field Turf Made Of?

Football field turf is engineered very differently from regular landscape grass. Unlike decorative or residential turf, synthetic football turf is designed to withstand intense play, frequent cleats, sliding tackles, and all kinds of weather—while keeping players safe and the game fast.

At its core, professional football field turf systems are made of:

• High-resilience fibers, usually monofilament polyethylene (PE) or blended PE + nylon yarns. These fibers are taller (typically 40–60 mm), stronger, and more elastic than those in standard turf. They must maintain shape under repeated pressure and quickly recover between games.
• Rubber-based infill, often cryogenic crumb rubber or EPDM, provides shock absorption, energy return, and cleat grip. Some systems use layered infill (rubber + sand) for performance tuning.
• Shock pads, installed beneath the turf, are used in many professional installations to enhance safety and reduce long-term injuries. These pads are made from cross-linked PE foam or recycled rubber panels, offering consistent impact attenuation.
• Durable PU backing, chosen for its dimensional stability and resistance to moisture, ensures that the turf remains flat and bonded—even under large-scale use and weather changes.
• Engineered base systems, using multiple layers of crushed stone and drainage pipes, ensure fast water runoff and surface stability.

Together, these components form a high-performance surface that complies with standards like FIFA Quality Pro, and may even include certifications for ball rebound, rotational resistance, and head injury criterion (HIC).

At Jcturf, we custom-build turf systems for sports venues with different configurations depending on level of play—from community fields to pro-level stadiums. Every material is chosen for a reason: to optimize safety, playability, and durability under extreme use.

Artificial Turf vs. Natural Grass: Material Differences

Artificial turf and natural grass may look similar, but they are fundamentally different in what they’re made of. Below is a direct comparison of their material composition:

What the Material Difference Means for You

The difference between turf and grass isn’t just technical—it directly affects how you use the space, what you’ll deal with over time, and what trade-offs you’re making.

Here’s how these material differences play out in real life:

• Turf doesn’t grow, heal, or change. Once it’s installed, what you see is what you get. If it wears down, it stays that way until you repair or replace it.
• Grass recovers and evolves. A patch worn down by heavy foot traffic can grow back—given time, water, and care.
• Turf drains quickly and doesn’t turn to mud. Its crushed stone base and synthetic layers let water pass through, so it stays usable after rain.
• Grass can become muddy, patchy, or slippery. It depends on healthy soil and root structure, and suffers in poor drainage conditions.
• Turf is sterile. It doesn’t harbor bugs, pollen, or microbes—making it a cleaner surface for pets, kids, and allergy-sensitive users.
• Grass is alive. That means it brings ecological benefits, but also seasonal growth, allergens, and potential pests.

Choosing between them isn’t about which is better—but about what kind of surface fits your priorities:
Consistency and low upkeep? Turf.
Natural cycles and living aesthetics? Grass.

Either way, the materials behind the surface are what define the experience.

Looking for the Right Turf Material? Talk to the People Who Make It.

Choosing the right artificial turf starts with understanding what it’s made of—and no one knows turf composition better than the people who build it from the ground up.

At Jcturf, we specialize in the design, R&D, and manufacturing of artificial grass. From polymer formulation to fiber structure and backing systems, every detail is engineered for performance, consistency, and durability.

We supply high-quality turf surfaces for sports fields, landscaping, pet zones, and putting greens—with full control over the production process and material quality.

If you want to make a better choice based on how turf is actually made, learn more about our approach and why professional buyers trust us to deliver the surface, not just the look.