PREMIUM PRO TURF Envirofill Silica Sand Infill

The mesh size printed on the bag is the defining difference between these two products, and it matters more than it sounds. Mesh size describes the coarseness of the sand — a lower mesh number (12/20) means larger granules, while a higher number (30-50) means finer granules. Larger granules work in the taller pile heights of landscape artificial grass because they settle deep into the fiber base, add mass to prevent shifting, and allow water to drain through. Finer granules are correct for putting greens because they distribute evenly across a short, tight pile without bunching, keeping the fiber tips upright and letting the ball roll consistently across the surface.

The practical rule: if your project is landscape artificial grass — backyard lawn, pet turf, sports field fill — the 12/20 Coated Green Silica Sand is the right call. If your project is a synthetic putting green, whether a precut indoor green or a backyard installation, the 30-50 Putting Green Infill is the correct mesh for that pile height and surface performance. Using landscape-grade coarse sand on a putting green will interfere with ball roll and cause uneven fiber support. Using fine putting green sand in a tall-pile landscape application won't provide enough ballast to hold fibers upright under foot traffic.

• Landscape artificial turf (backyard lawn, pet areas, athletic field perimeters): 12/20 coated green silica sand
• Synthetic putting greens (indoor, backyard, or commercial): 30-50 mesh putting green infill
• Mixed-use surfaces that include a putting green section: buy both — don't cross-apply

Both products ship in 50-pound bags, which makes quantity planning straightforward if you know the square footage of your project. For landscape artificial turf with standard pile heights, infill application rates typically run between 1.5 and 2 pounds of coated silica sand per square foot, depending on pile height and the number of infill passes you apply during installation. A 500 square foot backyard lawn installation would require approximately 750 to 1,000 pounds — 15 to 20 bags — at those rates. Measure your area before ordering, account for a 10 percent overage buffer, and order everything at once so your infill comes from the same production batch.

For putting green infill, the rate is lower because the pile is shorter and requires less sand mass to support the fibers. A typical backyard putting green in the 100 to 200 square foot range will use considerably fewer bags than a landscape installation of the same square footage. The 30-50 mesh product is applied in passes with a drop spreader or by hand-broadcasting in sections, then brushed in with a stiff broom or power broom to work the sand down to the backing level. The goal is full fiber support at the base — not surface coverage. If you can see sand sitting visibly on top of the fiber tips after installation, you've over-applied or not brushed it in fully.

• Landscape turf (12/20): estimate 1.5–2 lbs per sq ft; round up and order in full-bag increments
• Putting green (30-50): lower application rate due to shorter pile — measure your green's square footage and apply in multiple passes rather than dumping all bags at once
• Both products are sold by the bag; plan your order for the full project upfront to avoid variation between batches
• A drop spreader or stiff-bristle power broom speeds even distribution on both surface types

One of the core reasons coated silica sand is the preferred infill choice — over crumb rubber, organic infill, or uncoated sand — is that it doesn't compact, break down, or support bacterial growth over years of use. Uncoated sand can eventually harden into a dense layer at the turf base, reducing drainage and making the surface feel stiff underfoot. Organic infill (cork, wood fiber) composts over time and requires replacement. Coated silica stays stable in place through temperature swings, heavy rain, and routine foot traffic without losing its basic structure. That stability is what makes it appropriate for installations where re-opening the turf to replace infill isn't a practical option.

That said, coated silica infill does migrate over time under heavy directional use. On a backyard putting green with a consistent practice path, or on a high-traffic pet area where a dog runs the same route daily, sand will gradually concentrate on the low end of traffic patterns and thin out elsewhere. Periodic redistribution — dragging a broom across the surface in the low-traffic direction — keeps coverage even. On outdoor installations, heavy rain events can flush fine sand toward drainage points; check fiber support in those areas after significant storms and top-dress with additional infill if the fibers have lost upright orientation. This is a maintenance task measured in minutes once or twice a year, not a structural problem.

• No compaction or decomposition over time — coated silica remains stable without replacement under normal conditions
• Infill does migrate under directional traffic; re-distribute annually with a stiff broom or drag brush
• Check drainage exit points after heavy rain events and top-dress if fiber support has thinned
• Do not mix mesh sizes during a single installation — inconsistent granule size creates uneven fiber support and drainage variation
• Store unopened bags in a dry location; moisture doesn't damage the sand itself but makes bags difficult to handle and broadcast evenly