A 4G pitch is the latest in synthetic sports surfaces and has been developed to resemble playing sport on natural grass. It is an all-weather surface that can be used year round and doesn’t get muddy so it can still be played on in bad weather. It can also be lined with line markings to produce professional facilities and can help sports activity clubs and recreational centres earn money by leasing out the facility for use after working hours. Floodlighting might be included to make the surface even more practical for use throughout the night.
Various sports can be played on a fourth generation all-weather multisport artificial grass surface, including football and rugby. The surfacing is accredited by a range of different sports governing bodies to meet high standards for player safety and performance.
The specialised fibres fitted between the synthetic turf carpet and rubber crumb infill provide stability to the surface, whilst also allowing for a natural bounce associated with real grass. The shock absorbent underlay within the system helps to reduce impact injuries to players. The surfacing is available in a variety of pile heights to suit different sports and requirements.
The costs to fit a cost of 4G pitch vary depending on the specifications, size of the field and location of the site. For example, a full-size professional 3G football pitch with a shock pad underneath and other extras will cost significantly more than a smaller, school-sized artificial surface. The price also varies between 2G and 4G surfaces; 3G is the most popular choice as it offers the best performance qualities and is accredited by more governing bodies.
4G is a term that can be confusing as some companies claim to offer 4G if their product only uses a non-infill artificial grass surface. This type of surface is not officially recognised as 4G and it may be misleading to customers. However, if a 3G artificial grass is laid without the addition of a rubber crumb infill it can be referred to as 4G as the surface looks similar to 4G turf.
The current ban on polymeric infill materials within third generation artificial turf means that the next step forward is to introduce a denser design. A lot of companies are introducing this new type of surface and claiming that it is the future of artificial grass. This is based on the fact that it is a more natural and durable option than other synthetic sports surfaces.
The key difference between this and other types of synthetic sports surfacing is that the artificial grass is denser, meaning that it doesn’t need the same level of infill to improve its performance. This means that maintenance costs will be reduced. In addition, the surfacing is designed to be more resilient and can withstand heavy use. This makes it a more cost-effective option for schools and clubs that want to use their field all year round, regardless of the weather.