UltraBaseSystems is excited and proud to announce that we are donating our latest and greatest panel, Ultra Court Systems™ to replace the old, well used Violet’s Baseball Field in St. Petersburg Florida. A big and special thanks to the Toby Hall Foundation along with Matthew Walker from the Miracle League of St. Petersburg for reaching out to us to make this happen – Matthew and the Miracle League will have a new state-of-the-art baseball field installed and ready to play on for the fall 2017 season!
Do you live in a city and wish you had a space for your dog to play? Or how about a place to entertain your family and friends? Rooftops are an often underutilized space that has the potential to add value to your property and years of maintenance free enjoyment. Better yet, you can do many rooftop projects yourself! Here are some DIY rooftop ideas:
DIY Rooftop Idea 1: Landscapes and Paver Patios
Do you have an amazing rooftop view and want a recreational space to match? Renovating your roof will give you the comfortable spot to entertain friends and family without the hassle of maintaining a natural grass landscape. Want more than just a synthetic grass rooftop? Consider adding a patio area to give your guests the comfort of being inside all while enjoying the view your city provides.
DIY Rooftop Idea 2: Dog Areas
Live in a townhome, apartment or a busy city, and don’t have a backyard for your dog to run and play? Transform your rooftop or balcony and give your pets the freedom they need. Not only will this provide the convenience of letting your dog out, but you also won’t have to worry about your pet getting covered in dirt or mud. Another added benefit is that your dog can’t get loose and run away.
DIY Rooftop Idea 3: Athletic Courts
Your rooftop transformation is not only limited to synthetic grass and pavers. How about adding a basketball court? The photos above showcase a 5,000 square foot multi-purpose roof, featuring a synthetic turf on one side and a basketball court on the other. Transformations like this provide a place for your children to play and practice in a safe environment.
How UltraBaseSystems Can Help Bring Your Rooftop Idea to Life
As you can see, the possibilities are endless with UltraBaseSystems! Here are some of the benefits when using our panels for a rooftop project:
Panels can be installed quickly allowing your dream to become a reality in less time.
The lightweight panels will not hurt the existing roof structure.
Panels provide rainwater drainage and storage.
Panels will keep the turf in place.
Have a natural grass look and feel without the maintenance.
Start Planning Your Project Today!
If you’d like to learn more about UltraBaseSystems panels and get guidance in planning you’re your next project, call us at (866) 921-7888 or learn more here.
I’m sure you’ve had your days when you look at your backyard and you think, “I can do more with this.” Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We get this all the time. Lucky for you there are many very cool projects which will turn your uninteresting backyard into the one of your dreams. Even better, you can do many projects yourself, allowing you to save money and get your hands dirty doing something active.
DIY Home Putting Green
A home putting green is perfect for anyone who likes working on their putting game without having to leave home. It also can be a great source of entertainment and fun when hanging with your friends or hosting a party. On top of all its benefits, it just looks awesome to have a putting green in your backyard.
DIY Paver Seating Area
Have you ever wanted an area in your backyard where you could entertain your friends and family? Why not add a paver patio area—it will enhance your outdoor space! Throw in a grill, add a nice table and chairs and you’ll be ready to entertain your guests.
DIY Pet Area
Have an unsightly concrete slab or an area that grass won’t grow? How about covering it with something more visually pleasing and useful. For all the pet lovers out there, how about doing something for your beloved furry friend by creating a synthetic turf kennel or an outdoor play area? Both will allow your pet to roam and roll around with no worries of dirt or mud.
How to Make it Happen!
UltraBaseSystems panels will make easy work of any project. Our panels eliminate extensive base work, allowing your project to be completed in less time compared to traditional methods. This will save you money in both labor and equipment costs.
Added benefits of UltraBaseSystems Panels:
Installation is a snap! The panels lock easily into one another.
Superior drainage and water storage keeps your backyard dry.
Structural ribs support heavy loads, so no need to worry about leaving your car on the panels.
Panels can conform to existing terrain.
Start Planning Your Project Today!
If you’d like to learn more about UltraBaseSystems panels and get guidance in planning your new dream backyard, call us today at (866) 921-7888 or learn more here.
Our goal is simple—establish UltraBaseSystems® (UBS) as the most versatile base system in the world! Our team was presented with the following challenges:
Eliminate standing water in the horse stables
Provide a more solid base under foot
Create a clean, stable feeding area for cattle
Provide a hog pen that is easy to maintain and less abrasive on the hogs’ feet
Provide an alternative to heavy rubber mats used in horse travel trailers
Florida’s Career Academies of Seminole afforded us the opportunity to experiment using UltraBaseSystems panels in their livestock areas to find solutions for these industry problems. In all instances, UltraBaseSystems panels provided superior vertical and horizontal drainage, stable anti-skid flooring and engineered support for these four-footed animals. Each area was constructed with panels from several different material blends which created a range of panel hardness, softness, and traction. While creating these test areas, our team is working closely with school administrators, veterinarians, veterinarian technicians and hundreds of students to determine exactly which system provides the best overall solution. Every UltraBaseSystems successful market started with a vision, a test site, and the data in order to create a marketable solution. The agricultural/livestock market is no different. We are confident the UBS system will be exemplary as a cost effective alternative base replacement for livestock. We will be sharing more information with you as our test area data becomes available. I look forward to seeing y’all “down on the farm.”
Horse Stables The horse stables were completely unlevel allowing water to pool and, as a result, horses were standing in mud and water for long periods of time which is a very unhealthy situation for the horses. In our search for a solution to this issue, we leveled and compacted the area, installed a high-flow geosynthetic stabilization fabric and covered it with UltraBaseSystems Professional Panels. When the installation was completed we ran a plate compactor over the panels to slightly flatten the turf barbs while maintaining good traction for the animals. The veterinarian technicians then deposited one-inch of bedding material on top of the panels to assist with manure cleanup and provide a more familiar feel for the horses. The second stable was constructed using the same method as the first minus bedding material in order to observe any differences in the horses’ interaction with the panels.
Cattle Feeding Area The cattle feeding area had similar issues to the horse stables. This area experienced high traffic which caused a muddy area allowing standing water to develop. This test pasture area was installed by cutting the grass with a string trimmer, raking the debris and compacting the ground. A high-flow geosynthetic stabilization fabric was laid in place and the UltraBaseSystems Professional Panels installed. The perimeter edge teeth of the panels were cut off to create a smooth transition from the panels to the ground. All that was left was to pour some feed into the trough and observe.
Hog Pen
The task for this test area was to create a floor that would be easy to clean and be less abrasive on the pigs’ feet while providing solid footing for small footed animals. To achieve this, the concrete pens were simply overlaid with the UltraBaseSystems panels extending to the outer wall. As a result, the pigs can rest on a clean surface and the owners can easily spray the pen clean.
Horse Travel Trailers The current preferred flooring method for horse trailers is use of heavy rubber mats which provide quite the challenge for the animal owners when it comes time to clean the trailer. The rubber mat flooring is extremely heavy and needs to be removed from the trailer prior to cleaning. Additionally, the urine is trapped under the mats which not only adds weight, but creates an unsanitary environment. Our solution is the UltraBaseSystems Champion Panels which are manufactured with a slight rubber blend to provide a nonskid, well-draining flooring system that can be washed down without removing the panels and, as we have learned, is a dream scenario for livestock owners.
This is only the beginning for UBS and the livestock/equestrian market. The possibilities are endless:
Arenas
Dressage Rings
Walkways Between Stalls
Livestock Judging Areas
Race Horse Rehabilitation Centers
We named our company Innovative Base Technologies for a reason–to establish ourselves as the leader in base technology innovation. We identify the problem, listen to the experts and work together to develop a solution. This is the driving force behind providing the best base solution for every market.
It’s hard for me to imagine it was nearly 25 years ago when I first became interested in synthetic grass. The world of synthetic turf putting greens was just emerging and, to be honest, many didn’t think an artificial grass putting green would ever be a replacement for a natural grass green. For the golf purist, it just couldn’t be so. “Putting greens are meant to be real grass, and that’s the way it is going to be!” Boy were they wrong! Admittedly, the synthetic turf world has greatly improved over the last 15 years, and installation techniques have evolved dramatically from the early days of rock base greens with slow, shaggy turf to the superior product we have today. The home putting green industry, as well as the indoor teaching facilities, has come to rely on the constancy and quality of a well built synthetic turf green. Synthetic turf greens are here to stay!
Rooftop green in Mexico
Rooftop green in Mexico
Indoor putting green
Indoor putting green
Mini Fields– the New Craze
Now, jump ahead 20 years and take a look at the home and small facility recreational and sports areas. Those of us in the synthetic turf industry certainly know the value of a synthetic turf field as compared to natural grass. Let’s be clear, I love a beautiful grass field. I grew up in the left field bleachers of Memorial Stadium in Baltimore watching Orioles stars Don Buford, Paul Blair and Frank Robinson strut across the picture-perfect outfield. What a great memory. However, most schools do not have the luxury of a top notch professional grounds keeping team which is the same exact issue with folks who tried to build a natural grass putting green in the backyard; you just couldn’t keep it alive.
Many of us live in places where land is a premium and schools and public recreational areas are simply land locked. There is no room for additional fields hence the fields are played on to death. From football practice to band practice, flag football to gym class, there are too many feet on the field and not enough recovery time. Safety issues and constant maintenance are also things to be considered. It is no wonder why synthetic turf fields are all the rage!
Worn Natural Grass Field
With the acceptance of professional synthetic turf fields now in full swing, the home owner and small facility operators are catching the synthetic turf fever. Our company, alone, has been involved in 4 projects this month where the homeowner or small charter school have educated themselves on the benefits of artificial grass and have made the leap from a worn out backyard or schoolyard to a beautiful green oasis. And why not? If it is good enough for the Dallas Cowboys, it is good enough for everyone.
Home Depot Center
Home Depot Center
Greg Detman installation in Austin, TX
Greg Detman installation in Austin, TX
Here is the really cool part. It is relatively easy to achieve this safe, well draining lush green pasture. In many cases, it is as easy as stripping the existing organics, grading the field to the desired degree of flatness, laying out the appropriate stabilization fabric and installing a structural base system like UltraBaseSystems® or TourLinks®. Add the turf and wow…you have Met Life Stadium outside your back door.
Academy Prep Installation Tampa, FL
Academy Prep Installation Tampa, FL
Academy Prep Installation Tampa, FL
Academy Prep Installation Tampa, FL
I have synthetic turf in my backyard and wouldn’t trade it for all the free sod you could supply me. It is always perfect, drains amazingly well and looks awesome. And here is a real bonus… when you build a field using the UltraBasePanel system, you can take it with you if you move or remove it all together when Jr heads off to college.
From coast to coast, dealers and homeowners alike are turning to synthetic turf as the answer to their kids’ practice/play areas. No matter if it is golf or lacrosse, the home filed sports arena is growing fast across the country. Schools with small land mass recognize the wisdom in creating a perfect recreational area that will last for years and can hire their local landscape contractors to complete the project. Don’t get left out of this new wave of synthetic turf opportunities. We welcome you to visit www.ultrabasesystems.com to see for yourself just how easy it is to convert your backyard in to the envy of the neighborhood. The four projects attached will, without a doubt, prove to you and the industry that UltraBaseSystems is the key to project success and is making small recreational areas the next big thing in the artificial turf market place.
Recently, in an interview, I was asked, “What was your inspiration for panel base technology?” It was really out of necessity. I was an avid golfer and, like every golf fanatic, wanted to have my own private putting green. When researching the options available at that time for a synthetic turf putting green, it appeared I was out of luck…my yard had too many trees. Using traditional industry procedures such as a concrete slab base or a compacted stone base was not going to work. Limited accessibility to the area, as well as the health risk to the trees, left me with no viable solutions. I couldn’t be the only guy with accessibility issues. There had to be a solution. What do people do if they
Have an area with many tree roots but don’t want to disturb the trees
Want to do an indoor project
Live in an area where organic materials such as stone are in limited supply
Options were limited. But today, the base can be the solution.
The Solution to these Obstacles
Limited access areas
Raw materials not readily available
Raw materials too costly
Limited availability/affordability of equipment
Labor intensive installation processes
Installed by Albanes Landscaping
Over the last 15 years, I have watched the industry change dramatically. Water restrictions, limited available land, increased populations, ever-evolving sports, like soccer, have all contributed to the demand for synthetic turf areas and athletic court surfaces to be placed in what once was considered unusable or, at best, undesirable locations. And why not? If I live in an apartment in New York City or a townhome in San Francisco, shouldn’t I be able to practice my favorite sport or take my dog for a bathroom break despite where I have chosen to live? Of course I should, and that’s where the industry is heading.
It’s not always about the customers’ desire to have a recreational area in an unusual place. Often times it is simply a matter of material not being available to support the old fashioned traditional base methodologies. For example, if you are given the task to build a stone base in somewhere, like the Caribbean or parts of Africa, good luck because proper drain stone isn’t available. At times, even though raw materials are readily available, installers are confronted with extremely high costing. Construction materials change from state to state and country to country. There is no consistency.
Even if raw materials are plentiful, what about equipment and labor? Traditional base work is nothing but labor intensive! Hundreds of truckloads of soil out and hundreds of truck loads in. The equipment to dig and grade a field is not always available. I have been on job sites in the USA where the piece of equipment that was really needed was either too expensive to rent or ten hours away. All of this led me to come to this conclusion–there must be a better solution, and if I couldn’t find it, I would invent it. And invent I did!
Ultimate Base Solution
UltraBaseSystems was created with one goal in mind. Be the solution and change the industry forever! Our goal was, and still is to deliver to end-user customers an intelligent approach to base construction affording them the opportunity to construct their dream project regardless of location, climate or obstacles. Knock down accessibility issues, decrease project cost and, as a result, provide our large dealer network the tool they needed to install more athletic and recreational surfaces, which ultimately will lead to more square footage being sold on an annual basis. Time is money and UBS saves time. We are setting a new level of performance and aesthetic perfection with every installation.
I invite you to explore this site to learn why we are the perfect solution for any installation. I set out to find a solution for my golf game and now, seven USA and International patents later, have created a new product category changing the lives of customers, designers and contractors forever.
I first patented the concept of an interlocking panel base in 1999. When I looked at the market, there was a void when it came to an easier way to make quality sport systems accessible to a broad customer base, and a panel base system seemed like a logical approach. The panel had to far exceed the expectations of the installer and win the praise of the customer. What started as a new product became its own product category. A new systematic way of delivering, direct to the customer’s location, high quality sports surfaces was conceived. We had now set the course for the next generation of “on demand:”
Nearly ten years ago I had the privilege of sending a dozen of our Ultra Base putting green panels to soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan during the second gulf war. I called the initiative Operation Desert Green. I cannot even begin to tell you the sense of pride my staff and I experienced knowing we were doing our small part in helping our combat troops. The response from the soldiers was overwhelming. Our story was aired on CNN Headline News and that launched a wave of requests from military personnel, family members and high-ranking officials from all branches of the armed forces. It was apparent that the soldiers were desperate for sports entertainment, and it was our duty to make it happen. So, we made golf accessible to the troops with our panel base system. Our system was:
Easy to set up
Easy to store when not in use
Easy to ship
A realistic experience
More Opportunities Mean More Sales
So what did these panels really mean for the bottom line? In other words many asked, “What’s in it for me?” The answer was clear to us. Give an event promoter, installer or designer a solution to logistical barriers and the sales will increase. Create a portable sport system increased the opportunity for selling more turf or courts. The market was waiting, and the panel solution allowed for those new opportunities.
In 1993, I designed and built the first interactive fan participation area in a stadium which we called “Fan Land.” The Tampa Bay Lightning was playing in a large stadium built for baseball, and I was given the challenge to make the remaining floor space an exciting experience for fans. If we could get fans to the stadium earlier, that would translate to:
More concession dollars
Increased apparel and merchandise revenue
Less parking lot congestion
Everybody Wins!
The secret to the area was the realism we were able to create. From kicking an extra point field goal to taking a few swings in the batting cage, testing your skill on a slap shot in the hockey zone to sinking a 50 ft putt, panel technology made it all possible.
It seems like a lifetime ago that I stood at the entrance of Fan Land with the Lightning owners waiting anxiously for the fans to arrive. We all believed in the famous phrase, ”If you build it they will come,” but I also knew my job was on the line if the fans didn’t show up. And show up they did! Hundreds of fans poured in to our sports zone. The next day the Wall Street Journal wrote an article on the future of the fan experience. We were a hit! From Miami to Buffalo our panel system concept was bringing sports to the masses on their home turf.
These are just a few of the examples of how the dream of making sports more accessible to the masses culminated in multiple United States and International Patents being issues for my panel base technology. We set out to change the lives of a few soldiers and have changed an industry forever.
It is with great pride that I look at the temporary transformation of a natural grass field in to a synthetic turf masterpiece hosting a college bowl football game or the hospitality tents of the US Open where corporate sponsors test their skills on one of our synthetic turf putting greens.
My dream is coming true! We are turning areas covered with broken glass and dusty soil into temporary and permanent fields, courts and play areas. Empty rooftops are now becoming areas for kids to play their favorite games, parking lots are hosting sports tournaments challenging the skills of athletes throughout the community . When recreation and leisure facilities are easily accessible to all kids, we will have accomplished our mission.
Our test site in Florida was the location to see the effects of extreme load on saturated ground that was covered by UltraBaseSystems® panels and turf. The area is nearly 3 years old so it was a perfect test zone.
Water was allowed to run through the turf and panels and into the compacted earth below for nearly an hour. The area chosen was approximately one interior panel of a 2000 ft² area.
We drove repeatedly back and forth across the saturated turf area for over 50 cycles. The turf was then removed and water was concentrated directly onto the panels for fast drainage to the geotextile and earth below.
We once again drove back and forth over the exposed panel. There was no evidence of any deformation or decreased stability of the panel after the car was removed.
We carefully cut away the panel trying to be sure not to disturb the geotextile material. The exposed geotextile material showed little sign of deformation of the earth below. In fact the indentations were less than the thickness of a quarter. We removed the geotextile and could see the earth was very wet yet showed minimal deformation.
After 3 ½ years this valuable test site had served its purpose and was time to return the area back to natural grass. We removed all the panels and exposed the geotextile which showed little effects of the panels settling into the ground. We have concluded that the heavier the geotextile face weight the better stability it gives to the panel installation. A face weight of 6 oz or more per square yard of our spun bond polyester geo is a great choice.
We removed the geotextile exposing the existing earth base. This is the area after removal. This is the area prior to installation. The before and after shots of the area show very little change over the last 3 ½ years.
