If I want to install an artificial turf pitch, which shock pad do I need?
We have a wide range of shock pads in our portfolio, with varying densities, thickness, etc. In order to give the best possible advice to you, our sales people will always ask you the three following questions:
• For which sport will the pitch be used?
• Which level of sports functional properties (which certifications) would you like to attain?
• Which carpet and infill do you consider using?
Thanks to our built up experience in the field of R&D for the shock pad market, we will always be able to provide you with a tailor-made solution for your pitch, the specifications of which will be based on your answers to the three questions above.
Are the re-bounce® shock pads made out of recycled material?
The basic material for a re-bounce®shock pad is what is known on the market as “bonded foam”. The basic raw material for this product is polyurethane “trim foam” out of the flexible foam productions of the Recticel Group. This trim foam, which is cut off during the transformation of big blocks, is collected, selected and sent to the bonded foam production sites. By using this material, we make sure our industry waste is recycled in a very eco-friendly manner and our products have a very low CO2 footprint.
A shock pad absorbs water. Does that result in a hard pitch during winter?
It’s true our re-bounce® material absorbs water. It’s also true that water gets hard when it’s freezing. That’s why an R&D team of Recticel performed a study to investigate the effect of freezing temperatures on a real pitch with a shock pad. We tested a number of different pitches in Scandinavia - all with different types of shock pads – on their sports functional properties during winter. Our main conclusion was that the pitch became harder to play on, no matter what shock pad was used. This is, thus, definitely not only the case for re-bounce®shock pads. One of the main reasons why the pitches get hard during winter, is because wet sand easily gets hard when it’s freezing. Secondly we noticed a serious reduction of rubber infill as a result of the “de-snowing” of the pitches. We are now using the knowledge of our research to develop a new shock pad that does not get hard in winter and that can be used with as little as possible infill, hereby preventing the hardening of the surface.
A re-bounce® shock pad absorbs water. Does it remain wet?
The polyurethane material out of which our shock pads are made, functions as a water buffer. This has several advantages. As our shock pad does not release the water immediately, we have a better use of the sprinkled water. A study of the University of Ghent has shown that a mechanical movement (running over the pitch) will pump water to the surface, which will have a cooling effect on the surface (up to 7°C in lab conditions). This cooling effect will increase a player’s comfort on the pitch. In addition, the fact that our shock pad is humid, results in a much higher efficiency of the heating installation compared to pitches with other shock pads.
A re-bounce® shock pad is not perforated. Is it water permeable?
The shock pad is made of an open cell polyurethane foam which guarantees a high vertical water permeability.
During the installation you advise to install the rolls next to one another with a little gap in between. Why is this?
When a re-bounce®shock pad is delivered to the site, it is dry. The first time the shock pad absorbs water, it will swell a little bit. In order to prevent any tension between the rolls, we advise to leave a little gap when installing our product.
Do the shock pad rolls need to be taped together?
No, they don’t. We only advise to use tape for the installation of a hockey water pitch where a re-bounce®arctic shock pad is used.
When can a re-bounce® shock pad be installed?
A re-bounce®shock pad can be installed in all weather conditions. Whether it is windy or rainy, our shock pads are ready to be installed at all time.
Installing a shock pad is a large investment. How can I get a quick return on that investment?
An investment in a shock pad is an investment in your pitch and in your team on the long term. An artificial turf pitch with a re-bounce® shock pad compacts less, needs less infill and needs to be maintained less than one without a shock pad. Moreover, a pitch with a shock pad will maintain better sports functional properties for a longer period. A shock pad, hence, increases the playability and safety of an artificial turf pitch and keeps that playability at a top level for a very long period. In other words, a re-bounce® shock pad is definitely worth the extra investment and is essential for creating a high standard artificial turf pitch meeting the most severe criteria.
