How does the height of the grass fibre affect a padel court?

When we talk about the artificial grass used on a padel court, one of the terms that comes up most often is fibre height. However, before understanding why this aspect affects the way the court performs, it is worth knowing exactly what the fibres are.

The fibres are the filaments that make up the surface of the artificial grass and on which the game is played. They are mainly made from polyethylene, a material known for its resistance to wear, elasticity and ability to withstand continuous exposure to sunlight and changes in temperature. Depending on the type of artificial grass, the fibres can vary in height, although the most common configurations for padel courts range from 10 to 15 millimetres.

This leads to a fairly common misconception: that a greater fibre height automatically means higher-quality artificial grass. In reality, this parameter cannot be assessed in isolation.

Fibre height is part of a construction system in which numerous elements influence the performance of the surface, including the type of filament, the density of the weave, the quantity and grain size of the silica sand, and the intended use of the court.

Therefore, choosing artificial grass should not be based solely on a specific measurement, but rather on the balance between all the components that make up the playing surface.

What exactly is fibre height?

Fibre height refers to the visible length of the artificial grass yarn once it has been installed. It is usually expressed in millimetres and is one of the technical specifications that attracts the most attention when comparing different models.

However, reducing the choice of artificial grass to this single figure is a mistake.

Fibre height alone does not determine how the court will perform over time. To understand its behaviour, it is necessary to consider how it interacts with the other elements that make up the artificial grass system.

Is there a standard fibre height?

There are different configurations available on the market, although the most common options for padel courts range from 10 to 15 millimetres.

There is no “official” height or single measurement that is suitable for every project.

Each manufacturer develops its solutions according to different technical criteria and the type of installation for which they are intended. Therefore, a difference of just two or three millimetres does not necessarily mean that one surface will offer better performance than another.

The important thing is to understand what each configuration offers and what type of use it has been designed for.

10 mm fibre: a more compact surface

10 mm configurations tend to provide a firmer surface and greater contact between the player and the artificial grass.

As they require a smaller quantity of silica sand, the ball can respond more directly and the playing experience can feel faster, provided that the rest of the system has been correctly designed.

These solutions may be suitable for certain installations where a more dynamic surface response is desired.

12 mm fibre: a balance between performance and durability

12 mm fibres are one of the most widely used configurations in the industry due to their ability to provide a balance between comfort, ball response and resistance to wear.

They allow an appropriate quantity of sand to be used to keep the fibres stable, promote good foot contact and protect the artificial grass against wear.

However, their performance will always depend on other factors, such as the density of the weave and the quality of the filament.

15 mm fibre: designed for specific requirements

Higher fibres provide greater cushioning and allow a larger volume of silica sand to be incorporated, helping to protect the yarn against wear caused by continuous use.

This does not mean that they are always the best option.

In certain installations, a greater fibre height may require more careful maintenance to ensure that the sand remains evenly distributed and that the surface maintains consistent playing conditions.

As with any system, the choice will depend on the type of project and the specific requirements of each installation.

Fibre height is only one part of the equation

This is probably the most important point.

When assessing the performance of artificial grass, fibre height should never be considered independently.

There are other parameters that have an equal or even greater influence on the performance of the court:

• The type of filament. Monofilament artificial grass does not behave in the same way as textured or fibrillated grass.

• Stitch density. This determines the number of fibres present per square metre and influences the stability of the surface.

• Polymer quality. Resistance to wear, ultraviolet radiation and changes in temperature depends largely on the material from which the fibre is manufactured.

• Silica sand. Both the quantity and grain size influence grass stability, ball bounce and fibre protection.

• The intended use of the court. A club with a high player turnover has different requirements from a hotel, residential development or municipal facility.

Ultimately, two types of artificial grass with a fibre height of 12 mm can perform very differently if any of these factors change.

How does grass height affect maintenance?

Grass height also influences maintenance requirements.

Surfaces with taller fibres generally require greater control over the distribution of silica sand to prevent uneven displacement and keep the fibres upright.

By contrast, shorter-fibre configurations also require regular brushing to maintain consistent playing conditions.

In any case, preventive maintenance remains the best way to extend the lifespan of the artificial grass, regardless of the fibre height selected.

Which configuration is the most recommended?

There is no single answer.

The choice should be made by considering the project as a whole: the type of users, expected playing volume, weather conditions, maintenance frequency and the other components that make up the court.

Choosing artificial grass based solely on fibre height can lead to decisions that do not meet the actual requirements of the installation.

The Sky Padel approach

At Sky Padel, we understand that court performance does not depend on a single component, but on the balance between all the elements that make up the system.

That is why, when we develop a project, we do not recommend a standard fibre height for every client. We assess the characteristics of each installation, its intended use and the project’s requirements in order to define the most suitable solution in each case.

Because a high-performance padel court is not created simply by selecting the grass with the tallest fibres. It is achieved by designing a system in which every component works together to provide durability, safety and a consistent playing experience throughout the installation’s service life.