InstaTurf Hybrid Erosion Control Matting

Soft Armor Products

An Alternative to Rock Riprap

Rock riprap is everywhere, but it always looks like a scar on the property. Now there is a worthy alternative that can protect against erosion like 30″ riprap. And with InstaTurf hybrid turf matting erosion control you are able to grow vegetation through the turf to add even more erosion protection.

You no longer have to settle for the ugly erosion control with InstaTurf you can have an immediately green aesthetic and reliable protection.

InstaTurf installed where riprap was used
Vegetation through InstaTurf

The Role InstaTurf Plays In Erosion Control

InstaTurf is a totally unique appraoch to erosion control.

  • Up to 50% less expensive than riprap
  • Lightweight
  • Simple to install
  • Promotes real vegetative growth
  • Green, grass-like look immediately upon installation
  • Protects instantly


When you have areas that you need to have premium erosion protection and you value real vegetation, consider InstaTurf. 

Learn About our Testing Protocol

InstaTurf was tested under harsh conditions in the lab and also in the field.

Relevant Case Studies

InstaTurf has been installed since 2019 all across America. Our ShearForce products consistently perform and typically cost up to 50% less than rock riprap. See a few of our projects for yourself.

ShearForce™10 

Soft Armor Hybrid Turf

Description

A hybrid-turf instant armor mat for protecting severe slopes, channels, streambanks and shorelines. The hybrid-turf instant armor mat provides the immediate finished look of natural grass along with the high flow erosion protection of large rock riprap, while establishing permanently reinforced vegetative cover. 

Colors:

  • Grass green
  • Tan

 

Roll Sizes:

  • 3ft x 45ft (135sf)
  • 6ft x 45ft (270sf)

For larger orders we recommend purchasing through our distributor network.

SF10

ShearForce10 Information

  • Available in 3ft x 45ft, 49 lb rolls and 6ft x 45ft, 99 lb rolls for easy handling.
  • Aesthetically pleasing natural grass-like appearance
  • Typical installed cost savings of 50% – 65% vs rock riprap, tied concrete block mats, and other hard armor materials
  • Much smaller carbon footprint than hard armor materials
  • Worry-free rock-like erosion protection under flow-induced shear stresses > 10lbs/sf, from day one of installation
  • Highly UV stable and weather-resistant
  • Simple installation, just lay it over seeded area and anchor it with standard staples, stakes or pins
  • Grows and reinforces natural vegetation for permanent stabilization and mower-friendly maintenance

3ft x 45ft roll weighing 45lbs

6ft x 45ft roll weighing 99lbs

The mat shall consist of a UV stabilized; monolithic polyethylene simulated turf structure with approximate 7/16-inch by 5/8-inch rectangular apertures, backed with an engineered lightweight polyester geotextile. The geotextile must be dense enough to retain fine soil particles and seed, yet open enough to allow seedling emergence. The mat shall have an unvegetated permissible shear stress rating, as determined by ASTM D6460 large-scale channel testing, of 10 lbs/sf or greater for immediate as well as long-term erosion protection against high shear stress water flow.

ShearForce10 is ideal erosion protection for areas where people may come in contact or in areas where aesthetics are important. See the preferred application types. Areas within your job site may include:

  • Severe slopes
  • Channels
  • Streambanks
  • Shorelines

 

Additional information about InstaTurf can be found at the main website: InstaTurf.com

SF10 Product Sheet

SF10 & SF12 Combo Product Sheet

 

Additional information and specifications about InstaTurf ShearForce10 can be found at the main website: InstaTurf.com

ShearForce™12

Soft Armor Hybrid Turf

Description

A hybrid-turf instant armor mat for protecting severe slopes, channels, streambanks and shorelines. The hybrid-turf instant armor mat provides the immediate finished look of natural grass along with the high flow erosion protection of large rock riprap, while establishing permanently reinforced vegetative cover.

Added ballast to prevent uplift in turbulence

In culvert and pipe outfalls and other areas subject to turbulent water flow, conventional mattings can be lifted off the soil surface between anchor points and allow erosion to commence. The ShearForce12’s ½-inch high specific gravity perforated rubber core will not float and adds nearly 2.5 lbs/sf of ballast to the mat to resist uplift. This additional ballast ensures that the mat performs as expected in the worst of conditions while still promoting vegetation when the sun is shining.

Color: Grass green

Panel Sizes:

  • 3ft x 4ft (12sf)

For larger orders we recommend purchasing through our distributor network.

SF12
ShearForce12 product photo

ShearForce12 Information

  • Available in 3ft x 4ft, 30 lb panels for easy handling.
  • Typical installed cost savings lower installed costs than other scour mats, large rock and concrete blocks.
  • Worry-free rock-like scour protection under turbulent water flow at shear stresses > 12lbs/sf, from day one of installation.
  • All-in-one scour protection mat, no additional TRM or sod underlay required.
  • Aesthetically pleasing natural grass-like appearance.
  • Smaller carbon footprint than hard armor systems.
  • Highly UV stable and weather-resistant.
  • Simple installation, just lay it over seeded area and anchor it with standard staples, stakes or pins.
  • Grows and reinforces natural vegetation for permanent stabilization and mower-friendly maintenance.

3ft x 4ft panel weighing 30lbs

The mat shall consist of a UV stabilized, monolithic polyethylene simulated turf structure with approximate 7/16 inch by 5/8 inch rectangular apertures adhered to a ½ inch thick, weather resistant, rubber core with 1.5 inch diameter openings on 2.5 inch centers, backed with an engineered lightweight polyester geotextile. The geotextile must be dense enough to retain fine soil particles and seed, yet open enough to allow seedling emergence. The mat shall have an unvegetetated permissible shear stress rating, as determined by ASTM D6460 large-scale channel testing, of 12 lbs/sf or greater for immediate as well as long-term scour protection against turbulent, high shear stress water flow.

ShearForce12 is ideal erosion protection for areas where people may come in contact or in areas where aesthetics are important. See the preferred application types. Areas within your job site may include:

  • Outfalls
  • Shorelines

 

Additional information about InstaTurf can be found at the main website: InstaTurf.com

SF12 Product Sheet

SF10 & SF12 Combo Product Sheet

 

Additional information and specifications about InstaTurf ShearForce12 can be found at the main website: InstaTurf.com

Talk to a Hybrid Turf Specialist

We can help guide you based on the wear challenges you face. Contact us via this form and we’ll set up a time to explain this alternative solution to replacing grass and the specifically engineered solutions that are available to protect your hard work.

Thanks for your interest!

Please fill out this form and we’ll send you our pricing information.