Surfacing Guide
Hybrid Grass and Artificial Grass
Turf as surfacing for your outdoor area
Choosing the right surfacing is essential for creating outdoor areas that are durable, safe, inclusive, and visually appealing. Hybrid grass and artificial grass are two popular solutions for playgrounds, schools, fitness areas, and multi-use spaces - each with distinct benefits depending on how the area will be used.
This page explains the differences, advantages, and ideal use cases to help you choose the right solution.
What is hybrid grass?
Hybrid grass combines natural grass with a discreet reinforcing mesh. Natural grass grows up through the structure, while the mesh protects the roots underneath and stabilizes the surface. The result is a green, natural-looking surface that can withstand significantly more wear than ordinary grass - without replacing nature.
Key benefits of hybrid grass
Natural look and feel - grass grows through the surface
Extends play time on grass areas (up to 3x compared to normal grass)
Protects grass roots, even during heavy use and winter months
Fast and simple installation with minimal ground works
No adhesives or chemicals used during installation
Lightweight material (approx. 0.20 lb/ft²)
Fully recyclable plastic material
Good drainage - water passes through to the ground below
Inclusive and accessible - easier to use for wheelchairs and pushchairs than worn grass or mud
Fall height - for areas where fall height is required, extra mats are placed under the hybrid grass to accommodate up to 8 ft 10 in.
Hybrid grass is designed to be almost invisible once the grass has grown in. Ideally, you shouldn’t notice the product at all - only a greener, more durable outdoor area.
Where does hybrid grass works best?
Hybrid grass is ideal for areas where natural grass struggles to survive due to wear:
Play mounds and sloped areas
High-traffic zones around playground equipment (like a cableway as shown in the picture).
Kindergarten and school playgrounds (typically under 1 m fall height)
Areas with contaminated soil (can be covered without excavation)
It can also be used on multi-use sports areas when a natural look is preferred, although heavy ball sports will eventually wear down the grass itself. In these cases, the benefit is durability and easy installation rather than a perfect grass appearance.
What is artificial grass?
Artificial grass is a fully synthetic surface designed for durability, consistent performance, and year-round use. Unlike hybrid grass, no natural grass grows through the surface.
Artificial grass is especially suitable where:
A uniform appearance is required all year
Maintenance should be kept to a minimum
There are multiple kind of artificial grass to choose from, depending on the area you want it installed and your preferred look and feel of the grass.
Types of artificial grass
Different artificial grass solutions are available depending on use:
Sports-focused artificial grass
Very dense and highly durable
Ideal for football-focused multi-use games areas
Designed for high wear and ball play
Landscape artificial grass
Softer appearance, similar to garden grass
Suitable for kindergartens, playgrounds, rooftops, and landscaping
Can be combined with shock pads for playground use
Multi-use artificial grass
Designed for mixed activities (football, basketball, hockey)
Requires sand infill for stability and durability
Slightly higher maintenance due to infill top-ups over time
Different designs
Artificial grass can also be installed in various colours to match a specific playground theme. Above is shown a "circus themed" playground, with grey and red artificial grass.
Installation process
Preparation and installation varies between hybrid and artificial grass. KOMPAN can help you install any of your preferred surfacing type.
Hybrid grass requires minimal preparation compared to artificial grass:
Ensure the soil underneath is suitable for growth
(Optional) Reseed or lay new turf
Roll out the hybrid grass (supplied in large rolls)
Cut to shape using a standard knife
Fix temporarily with biodegradable pegs until the grass takes hold
There is no need for deep excavation, heavy base construction, or transport of large amounts of soil or gravel. This reduces both cost and environmental impact. is kept is minimal, but it needs to be treated as any other lawn, so cutting the grass and removing any debris is always necessary.
Artificial grass requires a more extensive installation process:
Removal of existing soil (often 20–30 cm)
Construction of a stable base layer
Installation of shock pads (if required)
Laying and joining the grass using adhesives
Adding sand infill (depending on grass type)
This ensures a flat, stable surface - but comes with higher material use and effort. The infill needs to be re-applied after xx years, but the maintenance in between is minimal.
Accessibility and Inclusion
Both solutions can improve accessibility compared to worn grass or mud.
Hybrid grass in particular offers:
Better wheelchair access than natural grass
Reduced mud and uneven surfaces
A more comfortable transition between play zones
This supports inclusive playground design without compromising the natural environment.
Frequently asked questions
Hybrid grass is a natural grass surface reinforced with a discreet synthetic mesh that protects the grass roots while allowing real grass to grow through.
The reinforcing structure stabilises the ground, reduces wear, and helps grass recover faster after heavy use. Once established, the mesh is barely visible and the area looks and functions like a natural lawn - just far more durable.
The main difference is that hybrid grass uses real grass, while artificial grass is fully synthetic.
Hybrid grass combines natural grass with reinforcement for durability
Artificial grass is made entirely from synthetic fibres and does not grow
Hybrid grass is ideal when a natural look and integration with the landscape are important, while artificial grass is designed for intensive, year‑round use and sports activities.
Hybrid grass is best suited for outdoor areas where natural grass struggles due to wear, but a green, natural surface is still desired.
Typical applications include:
Play mounds and sloped areas
Playgrounds with low fall heights
Kindergartens and schools
Fitness and landscape areas around equipment
It is especially effective in high‑traffic zones where grass normally turns to mud.
Artificial grass is the better choice for areas with very high use, ball sports, or where a uniform surface is required all year round.
It is commonly used for:
Multi‑use games areas (MUGAs)
Football‑focused school grounds
Sports and activity zones with heavy wear
Artificial grass provides high durability and consistent performance with low ongoing maintenance.
Yes. Hybrid grass significantly extends the lifetime of natural grass compared to standard lawns.
As a rule of thumb, hybrid grass can:
Increase usable play time by up to three times
Protect grass roots during winter and wet periods
Reduce bare patches and mud formation
The reinforcing structure keeps the soil stable even when the grass blades wear down.
Hybrid grass typically uses less material and integrates living grass, while artificial grass offers long durability with minimal maintenance.
Hybrid grass:
Uses very little plastic per square metre
Allows natural growth and drainage
Can be fully recycled at end of life
Artificial grass:
Requires more material and base construction
Lasts many years under intensive use
Reduces the need for frequent surface replacement
The most responsible choice depends on how the area will be used and how long the surface is expected to last.