Articles · buying & installing

AstroTurf vs artificial turf: what's the difference?

Published 10 July 2026

People use “AstroTurf”, “artificial turf” and “artificial grass” as if they mean the same thing. They don't, quite. Here's what AstroTurf actually is, how today's landscaping grass differs, and which surface is right for what. If you are ready to install artificial turf in Singapore, we supply and install premium Belgian Namgrass for homes, commercial spaces and sports pitches.

The confusion is understandable. “AstroTurf” became a household word the way “Hoover” did for vacuums, so people now use it for any fake grass. But AstroTurf is a specific brand with a specific history, and it's quite different from the soft, realistic artificial grass you'd lay in a garden today.

Close-up of modern soft, realistic artificial grass yarn

What “AstroTurf” actually means

AstroTurf is a trademarked brand, launched in the 1960s and made famous by the Houston Astrodome. The original product was a short, dense nylon carpet with almost no pile, built for one job: a hard-wearing sports surface that could take studs and constant play. Later versions added sand or rubber infill, but the character stayed the same, flat, firm and fast, not soft or natural-looking.

So when someone says “AstroTurf”, they usually mean that older, short-pile sports surface, whether or not it's the actual brand.

What “artificial turf” and “artificial grass” mean

Artificial turf is the umbrella term for any synthetic grass surface, AstroTurf included. Artificial grass tends to describe the modern landscaping product: a taller, softer pile made mostly from polyethylene (and sometimes polypropylene), in several shades of green with brown “thatch” at the base to mimic a real lawn. This is what goes into gardens, balconies, rooftops and play areas today.

AstroTurf-style turf

Fibre: short, stiff nylon
Pile: very short, flat
Feel: firm, abrasive underfoot
Look: uniform, obviously synthetic
Built for: sport, speed, heavy studs

Modern artificial grass

Fibre: soft polyethylene yarn
Pile: tall, with realistic thatch
Feel: soft, comfortable to sit on
Look: multi-tone, natural
Built for: gardens, balconies, play, landscaping

AstroTurf was engineered for sport, hard, fast and flat. Modern artificial grass is engineered to look and feel like a real lawn.

Which one do you actually want?

For a home, a garden, a balcony or a rooftop, modern artificial grass, every time. It's the soft, realistic surface people picture when they imagine a maintenance-free lawn, and it's comfortable to walk, sit and play on.

For specific sports and technical surfaces, hockey pitches, tennis courts, gym floors, putting greens, a shorter, sand- or rubber-filled turf in the AstroTurf tradition still makes sense, because there speed, ball roll and stud grip matter more than a natural look.

At ibuild sportscape we supply and install premium Namgrass for landscaping, and specialist short-pile systems for sport, so the surface is matched to the job rather than a one-size-fits-all carpet.

Not sure which surface your project needs?

Tell us what you're covering, a lawn, a balcony, a pitch or a putting green, and we'll recommend the right turf and quote it. See the grass, or compare the options.

Landscaping grass Sports turf How to choose

FAQ

What is the difference between AstroTurf and artificial turf?

AstroTurf is a brand name, historically a short, dense, sand-filled nylon carpet made for sport. Artificial turf (or artificial grass) is the general category. Modern landscaping turf is soft polyethylene with a tall, realistic pile that looks and feels like real grass.

Is AstroTurf the same as artificial grass?

Not quite. AstroTurf is one brand and, in everyday use, refers to the older short-pile sports surface. Artificial grass usually means the newer, softer, taller landscaping turf. People often use the words interchangeably, but the products are quite different.

Which is better for a garden or balcony?

Modern artificial grass. Its soft polyethylene yarn and realistic multi-tone pile look natural and feel comfortable underfoot, unlike the flat, abrasive nylon of old AstroTurf-style carpet, which was designed for sport, not lounging.

Is AstroTurf-style turf still used?

Yes. Short, sand-filled or rubber-filled turf still suits specific uses such as hockey pitches, tennis courts, gym flooring and putting greens, where a fast, hard-wearing surface matters more than a natural look.