indoor turf buying guide

Your Indoor Turf Buying Guide from J&J Gym Floors

By John Scillieri Hours Published on

Indoors sports turfs are user-friendly, easy to maintain, and very durable.  The artificial indoor grass not only looks great, but it also allows for high-performance day-in and day-out.  There are several different types of synthetic indoor turfs, each with different characteristics and benefits.  And it’s essential to pick the right artificial flooring for your needs.

If you’re considering purchasing artificial indoor turf for your facility, you’ve come to the right place.  Read J&J Gym Floors indoor turf buying guide to find out everything you need to pick the best indoor turf for you.

Benefits of Artificial Indoor Turf

Artificial indoor turfs are incredibly durable and high-performing.  These sports turfs offer many benefits:

  • User safety — Regardless of whether you run a school or a professional training center, your athletes’ safety should always be a top priority.  Artificial indoor turfs are made from recycled rubber.  They naturally have a soft surface with a little bit of bounce.  What’s more, since the surface is abrasive, it provides the necessary traction for players to make quick movements without injuring their joints or muscles.
  • Durability — Indoor sports turfs can endure heavy use and constant wear and tear without losing their performance characteristics.  This allows the turf to withstand heavy use and high-intensity workouts.
  • Versatility — Artificial sports turfs are an excellent choice for a wide variety of sports.  If you have an indoor facility, the turf can accommodate football, indoor soccer, baseball, and many other activities.  Because it is very resilient and shock-absorbent, it also supports workout activities such as CrossFit and weightlifting.  
  • Visually appealing — Synthetic grass turf not only offers optimal performance, but it also looks great — all the time.  Having a fresh green surface in your indoor arena is very aesthetically appealing.  Plus, it offers you another way to brand your sports facility. You can customize the turf’s appearance in many different ways.

Types of Turf Flooring

There are two main types of turf you can have installed – turf tiles and turf rolls.  Turf tiles are interlocking tiles that can cover any area of your indoor facility and are a perfect choice for oddly shaped spaces.  They’re incredibly durable and can endure heavy traffic without deteriorating.

On the other hand, turf rolls are ideal for high-intensity workouts such as body-weight exercises and running.  Your choice should depend on two factors – the types of activities that will take place in your gym and the layout of your facility.

How are indoor turfs installed?

The indoor turf installation process isn’t complicated.  But it should be carried out with maximum precision — especially for large high-traffic areas such as school gyms or commercial facilities. A professional indoor turf installer will ensure that everything is installed correctly and with a solid foundation.  There are three steps to the installation process:

Base Preparation

Before the installation can begin, the contractor will make sure the subfloor is completely level, dry, and clean.  A quality subfloor base provides a strong platform with adequate drainage for the turf.  The subfloor must be well-engineered and stable enough to support a durable and long-lasting turf. 

It’s optional, but an extra layer can be placed between the turf and the base to increase users’ safety and comfort.  If you’re starting from scratch and have to construct a new base, make sure to pick an experienced contractor for this project.  The base must be built with great care and attention.

Turf Installation

After the contractor has prepared the base, they’ll proceed with the installation of the turf.  The installation process will vary depending on whether you opted for turf tiles or turf rolls. 

Turf rolls are installed using glue and double-sided tape.  Then, the rolls are carefully seamed together to ensure the best performance and endurance.  Turf tiles are much more straightforward to install.  They just snap together like puzzle pieces.

Infilling the Turf

To finish off the installation, contractors use a power broom to work the infill in-between the grass blades evenly.  We recommend two pounds of infill per square foot for the best performance of the sports turf, with no less than an inch and a half of infill per square foot.  

How to Maintain an Indoor Turf

Proper maintenance is critical when it comes to extending the life of any sports floor, turfs included.  Luckily, the upkeep of indoor sports turfs is straightforward.  Regular maintenance includes brushing to redistribute the turf infill.  We also recommend users vacuum daily to remove any debris off the surface. 

If there are any stains on the grass, you can easily clean them with a solution of warm water and mild detergent.  Alternatively, you could use an equal mix of water and vinegar.   

Pick the Best Flooring Contractor for Your Project

If you’re looking to buy artificial indoor sports turf, it’s essential to understand what type of turf your facility needs in order to make an informed decision.  With that in mind, if you have any questions regarding your project, don’t hesitate to ask your flooring contractor. 

If you have any questions that weren’t answered on this page, please contact us here at J&J Gym Floors.  Our experts are happy to provide you with advice applicable to your particular project.  They will ensure you get the best and most suitable indoor turf for your facility, which they’ll install safely and efficiently.  Call us today at (973) 801-7219 or fill out our online form, and we’ll get back to you asap!

John Scillieri

John Scillieri is the Founder and Managing Partner of J & J Gym Floors, bringing over three decades of expertise in hardwood flooring to the sports and fitness industry. Following in the footsteps of his father, a renowned hardwood floor professional, John launched J & J Gym Floors after graduating college, combining rich family tradition with innovative approaches to gym floor installation, maintenance, and customization.

With a passion for quality craftsmanship and a commitment to customer satisfaction, John has led J & J Gym Floors to become a trusted name in the industry. His hands-on approach and deep understanding of flooring technologies ensure that every project, from local school gymnasiums to professional sports arenas, receives the highest standard of care and attention to detail. When he's not transforming gym floors, John enjoys staying active and spending time with his family, always keeping an eye out for the next big trend in sports flooring.