During a race, most eyes at the Yas Marina Circuit are fixed firmly on the track, but for Mohamad Kaddoura and the team from Powerlink EC, the real test takes place at the asphalt's edge, where their focus is the adhesion of AstroTurf, not tyres.
Kaddoura has been installing AstroTurf at strategic points on the circuit at Yas since 2009, carefully cutting the polythene carpet like a tailor to match the track's twists and turns. As well as making a circuit look great, the AstroTurf slows cars down when they veer off course and helps drivers regain control. And it does all this without the debris and damage associated with sand or gravel.
In Abu Dhabi, Kaddoura installed olive green AstroTurf Grand Prix, but in Bahrain, F1 asked a British supplier to dye their turf so that it matched the shade of the surrounding desert sand.
Kaddoura also installed the artificial football pitches at the Manchester United Soccer School and the Dome at Rawdhat, but he's just as likely to be laying smaller patches of artificial turf in private villas in Khalifa City A or Al Reef. Most of Kaddoura's customers use artificial lawn on their terraces, over unsightly concrete paving and around their swimming pools, where it provides a hard wearing, non-slip surface in an area where there is a risk of contamination by grass clippings, irrigation water and fertiliser.
For Kaddoura, the environmental reasons for using artificial lawn are self-evident. His motto is "water is for drinking, not sprinkling". Most artificial turf products are recycled and require no harmful fertilisers or pesticides. Maintenance for artificial lawns is significantly cheaper than for real turf because they only require sweeping or jet washing, and they have a life expectancy of at least five years.
Unfortunately, the initial cost of installing a high-quality artificial lawn often acts as a disincentive. "Most people think artificial grass is costly. They see a complete installation price of Dh75-150 per square metre and get scared, but if you compare the costs over the lifetime of the lawn you are actually saving money."
With a real lawn, he insists, "You are talking about maintenance and the cost of the irrigation system, and you will never recoup the investment. The artificial turf is just like a carpet. When you move house, you can take it with you."
For somebody who makes a living from selling artificial grass, Kaddoura is surprisingly candid when it comes to the value of a real lawn. "People always ask what I would use in my own home, natural or artificial grass. I tell them that I would use real grass where I want to sit and artificial turf where I want to look."
What it costs and where to buy it
The lawn is sold like rolls of carpet and can easily be cut to size accordingly. For the best results, it's worth paying for professional installation, where existing grass is removed, the ground is compacted and the lawn is cut to size then secured using adhesive or concrete.
Costs vary enormously, so shop around. The same area could cost you anything up to Dh10,000 more to cover, depending on your supplier and the quality of grass. As a guide, a 20-square-metre lawn should cost around Dh3,000, including installation.
Ace usually has rolls of the basic stuff in stock, but a better place to try is Danube Buildmart (www.buildmart.com) which has a range of four types of lawn, starting from Dh75 per square metre (installation is extra and can be arranged instore). For budget options, try DragonMart in Dubai and the carpet souq in Abu Dhabi.
Other stockists include
Powerlink E C Artificial Grass, 02 449 3550, www.powerlink.ae
Green Vision, 04 803 8111, www.thegrassspecialists.com
Greenpeople, 04 883 5155, www.greenpeopleme.com
Company%20Profile
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
The%20Specs
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WORLD CUP FINAL
England v South Africa
Yokohama International Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday, kick-off 1pm (UAE)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
The biog
Fast facts on Neil Armstrong’s personal life:
- Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio
- He earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 – he could fly before he could drive
- There was tragedy in his married life: Neil and Janet Armstrong’s daughter Karen died at the age of two in 1962 after suffering a brain tumour. She was the couple’s only daughter. Their two sons, Rick and Mark, consulted on the film
- After Armstrong departed Nasa, he bought a farm in the town of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1971 – its airstrip allowed him to tap back into his love of flying
- In 1994, Janet divorced Neil after 38 years of marriage. Two years earlier, Neil met Carol Knight, who became his second wife in 1994
Kill%20
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Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)