{"id":9221,"date":"2025-11-28T05:37:44","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T16:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/?p=9221"},"modified":"2025-11-28T05:37:44","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T16:37:44","slug":"best-sand-infill-for-artificial-grass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/best-sand-infill-for-artificial-grass\/","title":{"rendered":"What Type of Sand is Best for Artificial Grass Infill?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Artificial grass<\/span><\/a> has become a popular choice for New Zealand homes, schools, and commercial spaces thanks to its low maintenance, year-round greenery, and durable performance. But one part of the installation process often gets overlooked: the infill. The type of sand you use plays a major role in how your synthetic turf looks, feels, and performs over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re preparing for a <\/span>new turf installation<\/span><\/a> or refreshing an existing one, choosing the right infill is essential for longevity, safety, and overall appearance. This guide breaks down the different types of sand commonly used for turf, their pros and cons, and how to apply infill correctly to achieve the best possible results.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Infill and Why Does It Matter?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Infill refers to the sand or other material added on top of synthetic turf blades once installation is complete. It settles into the fibres, helping the turf stand upright and remain stable underfoot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Infill has several key functions:<\/b><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Adds weight<\/b> to keep the turf securely in place<\/span>\n

    <\/span><\/li>\n

  • Supports fibre structure<\/b> and prevents flattening<\/span>\n

    <\/span><\/li>\n

  • Improves drainage<\/b> by keeping the backing open<\/span>\n

    <\/span><\/li>\n

  • Reduces heat<\/b> through better airflow between fibres<\/span>\n

    <\/span><\/li>\n

  • Protects the base layer<\/b> from wear<\/span>\n

    <\/span><\/li>\n

  • Enhances shock absorption<\/b> for safer play<\/span>\n

    <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Even high-quality turf needs the correct infill to perform as intended.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Types of Sand Used for Artificial Grass Infill<\/b><\/h1>\n

    Below are the most common types of sand used in NZ installations and what you should know about each.<\/span><\/p>\n

    1. Washed Silica Sand (Most Popular Choice)<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Washed silica sand is the most widely recommended infill option for residential and light-commercial turf in New Zealand.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Why it works well<\/b><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Fine and evenly graded<\/span>\n

      <\/span><\/li>\n

    • Does not compact easily<\/span>\n

      <\/span><\/li>\n

    • Allows excellent drainage<\/span>\n

      <\/span><\/li>\n

    • Supports turf fibres effectively<\/span>\n

      <\/span><\/li>\n

    • Affordable and easy to source<\/span>\n

      <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Best used for<\/b><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Backyards<\/span>\n

        <\/span><\/li>\n

      • Play areas<\/span>\n

        <\/span><\/li>\n

      • Landscaping projects<\/span>\n

        <\/span><\/li>\n

      • General home installations<\/span>\n

        <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Potential drawbacks<\/b><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Some low-quality silica can include dust\u2014washed varieties reduce this risk.<\/span>\n

          <\/span><\/li>\n

        • Not suitable for high-impact sports fields that require shock-pad systems.<\/span>\n

          <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          2. Kiln-Dried Sand<\/b><\/h2>\n

          Kiln-dried sand is a super-dry, extremely fine sand used in more specialised applications. Because it flows easily, it\u2019s ideal for installations requiring very precise infill distribution.<\/span><\/p>\n

          Best features<\/b><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Extremely fine<\/span>\n

            <\/span><\/li>\n

          • Perfect for brushing deep into dense fibres<\/span>\n

            <\/span><\/li>\n

          • Great for small areas or tricky installations<\/span>\n

            <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Best used for<\/b><\/h3>\n
              \n
            • Putting greens<\/span>\n

              <\/span><\/li>\n

            • Dense, short-pile turf<\/span>\n

              <\/span><\/li>\n

            • Small courtyards<\/span>\n

              <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Potential drawbacks<\/b><\/h3>\n
                \n
              • More expensive than standard silica<\/span>\n

                <\/span><\/li>\n

              • Too light for some installations\u2014can shift without enough brushing<\/span>\n

                <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                3. Zeolite (Alternative Odour-Control Infill)<\/b><\/h2>\n

                Zeolite is not a sand, but a natural mineral often used as an alternative infill\u2014particularly in homes with dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Why consider it?<\/b><\/h3>\n
                  \n
                • Absorbs odours<\/span>\n

                  <\/span><\/li>\n

                • Neutralises ammonia from pet urine<\/span>\n

                  <\/span><\/li>\n

                • Aids in cooling the turf surface<\/span>\n

                  <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Best used for<\/b><\/h3>\n
                    \n
                  • Homes with pets<\/span>\n

                    <\/span><\/li>\n

                  • Small lawn areas<\/span>\n

                    <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Potential drawbacks<\/b><\/h3>\n
                      \n
                    • More expensive than silica<\/span>\n

                      <\/span><\/li>\n

                    • Requires topping up more often<\/span>\n

                      <\/span><\/li>\n

                    • Works best when combined with sand rather than replacing it entirely<\/span>\n

                      <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      4. Crumb Rubber (For High-Performance Sports Turf)<\/b><\/h2>\n

                      Commonly used in stadiums and multi-sport facilities, crumb rubber provides superior shock absorption.<\/span><\/p>\n

                      Advantages<\/b><\/h3>\n
                        \n
                      • Excellent impact cushioning<\/span>\n

                        <\/span><\/li>\n

                      • Ideal for football and rugby fields<\/span>\n

                        <\/span><\/li>\n

                      • Adds significant weight to keep turf stable<\/span>\n

                        <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Disadvantages<\/b><\/h3>\n
                          \n
                        • Gets hot in direct sun<\/span>\n

                          <\/span><\/li>\n

                        • Not aesthetically suited to landscaping<\/span>\n

                          <\/span><\/li>\n

                        • Can migrate into surrounding areas<\/span>\n

                          <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          This option is mostly reserved for professional sports applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

                          What Is the Best Sand to Use?<\/b><\/h1>\n

                          For most NZ homeowners and general landscaping projects, washed silica sand is the top recommendation due to its stability, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with all major turf brands.<\/span><\/p>\n

                          This is why, in most residential installations, installers regularly choose <\/span>best sand for artificial grass<\/b> as an infill option that meets both performance and aesthetic requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

                          How Much Sand Do You Need?<\/b><\/h1>\n

                          The amount of infill depends on:<\/span><\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • Turf pile height<\/span>\n

                            <\/span><\/li>\n

                          • Density<\/span>\n

                            <\/span><\/li>\n

                          • Intended usage<\/span>\n

                            <\/span><\/li>\n

                          • Ground conditions<\/span>\n

                            <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            As a general guide:<\/span><\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • Landscaping turf:<\/b> 8\u201312 kg per m\u00b2<\/span>\n

                              <\/span><\/li>\n

                            • Putting greens:<\/b> 16\u201320 kg per m\u00b2<\/span>\n

                              <\/span><\/li>\n

                            • Sports turf:<\/b> Depends on code requirements (often significantly more)<\/span>\n

                              <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              Professional installers will calculate these amounts during your site assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              How to Apply Sand Infill Properly<\/b><\/h1>\n

                              Applying infill correctly is just as important as choosing the right material.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              1. Spread Evenly<\/b><\/h3>\n

                              Use a drop spreader or shovel to distribute sand uniformly across the turf surface.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              2. Brush Between Layers<\/b><\/h3>\n

                              After each light layer of sand, brush the turf using a stiff broom or power broom to help fibres stand up and ensure even distribution.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              3. Avoid Dumping Sand in One Spot<\/b><\/h3>\n

                              Uneven piles can create dips or hard patches.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              4. Rinse Lightly<\/b><\/h3>\n

                              A soft hose spray helps settle the sand deeper into the fibres.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              5. Repeat as Needed<\/b><\/h3>\n

                              Apply additional layers until you achieve the recommended depth for your turf product.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              How to Maintain Infill Over Time<\/b><\/h1>\n

                              While synthetic turf is low maintenance, infill levels can lower over several years due to:<\/span><\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • Foot traffic<\/span>\n

                                <\/span><\/li>\n

                              • Weather<\/span>\n

                                <\/span><\/li>\n

                              • Pets<\/span>\n

                                <\/span><\/li>\n

                              • Cleaning routines<\/span>\n

                                <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Maintenance steps<\/b><\/h3>\n
                                  \n
                                • Brush turf fibres every 1\u20133 months<\/span>\n

                                  <\/span><\/li>\n

                                • Add fresh infill where fibres begin to flatten<\/span>\n

                                  <\/span><\/li>\n

                                • Inspect high-traffic zones regularly<\/span>\n

                                  <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Well-maintained infill extends the life of your turf and keeps it looking lush.<\/span><\/p>\n

                                  Conclusion<\/b><\/h1>\n

                                  Choosing the right sand infill is crucial to the performance and longevity of artificial grass. Washed silica sand remains the most reliable option for most New Zealand homes, offering excellent drainage, stability, and value. Kiln-dried sand, zeolite, and crumb rubber also have their place \u2014 but they suit specific installations or performance needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

                                  With the correct infill and proper application, your synthetic turf will stay upright, clean, and resilient for many years.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                  Artificial grass has become a popular choice for New Zealand homes, schools, and commercial spaces thanks to its low maintenance,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4236,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9221"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9222,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9221\/revisions\/9222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigerturf.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}