Artificial turf offers families a unique solution to their landscaping challenges. While natural grass is lovely, it is far from the most cost-effective and safe option on the market. From pests to dirt patches and daily watering costs, a natural lawn can be more trouble than it’s worth. However, synthetic grass provides the same visual appeal without the hassle!

Premium landscape turf is manufactured to mimic natural grass’s freshly-grown appeal. This realism is achieved through resilient materials like polyethylene and a thatch layer. Since artificial grass is synthetic, however, it doesn’t require daily watering or toxic lawn chemicals that pose a risk to children and pets. There’s no better alternative for families than synthetic turf! If you want to create the ultimate family-friendly backyard, here are all of the key products you’ll need to get the job done right.

IPEMA-Certified Synthetic Grass Products

When designing a family-friendly lawn, the first thing to check is whether your chosen artificial turf products are IPEMA-certified. This means they have been inspected and approved by the International Play Equipment Manufacturer’s Association. This non-profit organization conducts third-party testing to ensure all products and materials are child-safe.

You can find IPEMA-certified playground turf from reputable distributors like SGW Florida. We’ve carefully manufactured our PlayScapes synthetic grass products to meet or exceed all GMax and Head and Injury Criterion scores set by the American Society for Testing and Materials. It provides cushioning against bruises, scrapes, and more severe fall injuries that are common on playgrounds.

Drainage Grids

The occasional rainstorm can wreak havoc on your lawn, swamping it with puddles that create slip risks and promote bacteria growth. To prevent this, installing an efficient AirDrain grid beneath your synthetic turf is crucial for kid-safe projects. 

These accessories ensure rapid drainage of rain and other fluids, keeping your lawn clean and dry. When combined with playground turf, drainage grids can help your playground or outdoor space flush away liquids at a rate of more than 30 inches per hour per square yard, facilitating a dry, safe, and mold-free environment for play.

Foam Underpad

You can maximize playtime safety in your outdoor space by adding a foam underlayer, such as our TigerPad accessory, to provide additional cushioning. When installed with a foam underlayer, playground turf systems can help protect against fall injuries from up to 10 feet high, so you have greater peace of mind about your child’s safety while they play. Since our TigerPad underfoam is manufactured from recycled materials, it’s also eco-friendly as well as child-friendly!

Antimicrobial Infill

Once you’ve installed your drainage grid, foam underlayer, and IPEMA-certified artificial grass, the final step is incorporating antimicrobial infill. Turf infill is a versatile accessory that provides many benefits to your landscape. It adds ballast, supporting your lawn‘s structural integrity by keeping turf fibers upright. This preserves a plush, shock-absorbing texture. It also helps eliminate odors and harmful bacteria, preserving your family’s health and safety.

Our Envirofill infill is engineered with innovative Microban technology, which disrupts bacteria growth, preventing odors and illnesses from spreading throughout your lawn. Its durable core resists compression over time, providing consistent ballast. Since children have weaker immune systems, maintaining a healthy lawn is essential to protecting their well-being.

SGW Florida is your one-stop shop for family-friendly landscape products. We support both professional installers and DIY homeowners with unmatched customer service and premium synthetic grass products at factory-direct pricing. Whether you want to create a kid-safe playground or a durable backyard, we have the products to help! Call SGW Florida at 800.676.2154 or contact us online to find an SGW warehouse near you.