When artificial grass was invented in the s, there was only one brand and one product: AstroTurf.
Since then, dozens of companies have sprung up offering hundreds of different types of artificial grass&#;so many, in fact, that shopping for fake grass for your home or business can be a bit daunting.
There&#;s a surprising amount of information and terminology to learn when you&#;re shopping for fake grass.
With all the different looks, grades, and prices, you may be wondering how to choose the best artificial grass for your location.
We&#;ve created this complete buyer&#;s guide to artificial grass with our new customers in mind.
By the end of this article, you&#;ll be equipped with all you need to know to confidently choose the best artificial grass for your home, playground, patio, or putting green.
Artificial grass is far from a commodity.
There are different types of turf made for specific uses and applications.
This guide will cover the different elements of artificial grass and explain what you should be looking for in an artificial turf product.
Shopping for synthetic turf can be overwhelming, as there are so many brands, features, and products to choose from.
Here&#;s a step-by-step guide on choosing the best artificial grass for your space.
First of all, research the space the turf will go in.
Will it receive a lot of foot traffic?
Is it prone to puddles or standing water?
Is it in the sun or the shade?
Will it be used by pets?
These questions and more will help you hone in on what features you&#;ll need in your artificial grass.
Next, research the brands and products available.
Turf distributors and installers should provide you with all the information you want about their synthetic grass products.
To assist with your research, you should check out the following blog posts:
Who knew that fake grass could be so complicated?
In this section, we&#;ll demystify all the specific terminology in the artificial grass world so you can interpret product specifications and find the synthetic turf that will be the best fit for your project.
Only three types of yarn are used in artificial grass: polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon.
Polyethylene is the most commonly used because of its versatility and balance between durability, aesthetics, and softness.
Polypropylene is typically used for putting greens and as a thatch layer on landscape grasses.
Nylon is the most expensive and durable yarn material, but it&#;s not soft and is most commonly used for putting greens.
Yarn comes in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and shapes to mimic specific species of grass.
Also called stitch count, density is the number of blades per square inch.
Similar to thread count in sheets, a denser stitch count signifies a higher-quality turf.
Denser turf products are more durable and provide a more realistic artificial grass lawn.
Pile height refers to how long the blades of artificial grass are.
If you need fake grass for a sports field, dog run, or other high-traffic area, look for a shorter pile height, between &#; and &#; inches.
A luxurious, true-to-life look for a front yard is achieved by products with a longer pile height, between 1 ¼ and 2 ½ inches.
Face weight refers to how many ounces of material per square yard a type of turf has.
The heavier the face weight, the better quality and more durable the artificial grass is.
Face weight does not include the weight of the backing material.
Thatch is additional fiber with varying color, weight, and texture that mimics the inconsistencies of natural grass.
Thatch often includes brown fibers that replicate the dying underlayer of grass beneath the vibrant green, growing one.
If you&#;re looking for a synthetic grass product for your front or back lawn, a product with thatch will get you the closest look to the real thing.
Infill plays many roles in keeping your artificial grass pristine.
It keeps fibers upright, acts as a stabilizer to prevent the turf from shifting, and makes the grass look and feel more realistic.
Without infill, turf fibers would quickly become flat and matted.
It also cushions feet and paws that walk on it, as well as protecting the backing from sun damage.
Infill is made from a variety of materials, including silica sand and crumb rubber.
Some brands come with antimicrobial, anti-odor, or cooling properties.
The backing on synthetic grass has two parts: primary backing and secondary backing.
Both the primary and secondary backings work together to provide dimensional stability to the entire system.
The primary backing is comprised of woven polypropylene fabrics that allow the artificial grass fibers to be tufted into the material in rows and facilitate seaming between artificial grass panels.
In other words it&#;s the durable material that the grass blades/fibers are stitched to.
A good backing will resist stretching.
The Secondary Backing is often referred to as the &#;coating&#; and is applied to the reverse side of the primary backing in order to permanently lock the tufted fibers permanently in place.
Together, the primary and secondary backing make up the back weight.
You can expect to see a back weight above 26 oz. on a high-quality turf product.
A decent back weight is a must for any installation area that will see heavy traffic.
Just as natural grass comes in a variety of colors, so does fake grass.
High-quality artificial grass will include a number of colors to mirror the look of real grass.
Choose a color that most closely mirrors the natural grass species in your area.
If you try to install artificial grass directly onto soil, you&#;ll get dimples and wrinkles as the soil expands and contracts during wet and dry seasons.
So while it&#;s not an official part of your artificial grass, having a good sub-base is critical to a quality turf installation.
The sub-base is a layer of compacted sand, decomposed granite, river rocks and gravel beneath the artificial grass.
It acts as the foundation for your synthetic turf and needs to consist of the right materials to ensure proper drainage.
Now that you&#;re familiar with the terminology in the artificial grass world, you&#;re armed with the knowledge you need to compare the different fake grass products available.
Here are a few specifications you&#;ll find on each synthetic turf product:
Not all of these features are equally important, however, and the weight of each one will depend on the location and purpose of the installation area.
Read on to know which features are the most relevant for your project.
An artificial grass installation can be quite a hit to your budget, but it&#;s important to look at more than just the sticker price when weighing how much you can afford.
When comparing fake grass vs. real grass, the long-term savings on water and maintenance alone enable artificial grass to pay for itself in about three to five years.
Other financial benefits to synthetic turf include less hassle for mowing/weeding/fertilizing, increased home values, and boosted curb appeal.
Many turf companies offer financing options to assist you in your investment in artificial grass.
Now that we&#;ve inundated you with everything you need to know, we&#;ll break down the most important characteristics to look for to find the best artificial grass.
Keep in mind that there is no one &#;best&#; product&#;the ideal turf will be different depending on the installation area and intended purpose.
However, the key elements we cover below are fairly universal.
Different turf products will withstand differing amounts of useage and foot traffic, so choose one that will last through everything you will throw at it.
Will your artificial grass host children?
Or pets?
If so, how many and how frequently?
Keep in mind that while you&#;ll pay more for extra durability, artificial grass is one of those &#;buy it nice or buy it twice&#; purchases.
You don&#;t want to have buyer&#;s remorse in just a few years if the turf product you chose isn&#;t up to the job.
If a lush, full look for the grass is important to you, pay extra attention to pile height, thatch, infill, and density.
Each of these elements add to the natural look of the best artificial grass products.
Also, take care to maintain your synthetic turf regularly with a Power Broom for Turf Rake to preserve the fluffy, plush appearance of your grass and to prevent matting.
To learn more, check out our detailed guide to Artificial Turf Maintenance.
It&#;s easy to forget that artificial grass is out in the heat, cold, sun, dust, and rain 24/7.
Choose a product that has the features that will help it endure through the weather that is common in your area.
Note that the materials used in making artificial turf are extremely durable and able to withstand high-levels of foot traffic for many years with only the occasional hose-down and fluff-up for maintenance.
The best artificial grass is specifically designed to resist matting and laying flat.
Turf fibers should return to an upright position when you walk across them.
This is partly due to the structure of the fibers and partly to the infill that&#;s used.
We recommend rounded silica sand infill and T°Cool&#;s Evaporative Cooling Infill in our turf installations.
They keep the synthetic turf springy and cool, just like the real thing.
While you might not think about it in the showroom, a quality turf drainage system is an important consideration when choosing the best artificial grass.
It&#;s important that water and pet urine are able to pass through your turf and into the sub-base below.
In order to do that, the liquids must pass through the turf&#;s backing.
There are two types of turf backings or drainage systems: 100% permeable and hole-punched.
The 100% permeable backing allows water and pet urine to pass directly through any point in the turf.
This drainage system is ideal for the wet areas of Texas near the coast, as well as lawns with pets or areas prone to flooding or pooling water.
Hole-punched backing has drainage holes every few inches and is best for dry areas that seldom see excess runoff.
We carry a proprietary hybrid drainage system called &#;DUAL FLOW&#; that is both fully permeable and hole-punched.
The beauty of modern synthetic turf is not only how much it looks like natural grass but how closely it can mimic different species of grass.
Take a close-up photo or (if your neighbor will let you) a small sample of grass from a neighboring lawn.
Use this as a guide when choosing a color and texture of artificial grass for your lawn so you can be sure your lawn will match the surrounding ones.
If you have pets or children on your lawn often, you should strongly consider an artificial grass product with antimicrobial properties.
In these products, antimicrobial additives are added during the manufacturing process.
The antimicrobial backing found on Ideal Turf&#;s best artificial grass products, called &#;Microbe Safe&#; helps to prevent the buildup of odors from pet urine, as well as germs and bacteria, keeping your backyard denizens clean and healthy.
Even if you choose the best artificial grass product, a subpar installation can ruin the entire look of your landscaping.
Choose a reputable and trustworthy artificial grass installation company that has experience and expertise in the business.
Check out reviews from multiple sources when comparing turf installers.
The company should be willing to provide you with all the information you want about their turf products and the installation process.
With competitive price and timely delivery, Lvyi sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Different artificial grass products are suited to different applications, so there is no one &#;best&#; artificial grass product or brand.
To put it in perspective, if you tried to paint your home&#;s siding with chalkboard paint or to top your chicken parmesan with strawberry jam, you&#;d get a less-than-desirable result.
It&#;s not that chalkboard paint and strawberry jam are bad products, but they are best when used for the intended situation.
Below, we&#;ll show you what type of turf products work best in specific applications.
One of the most common applications of artificial grass is in backyards.
Key features to look for in the best artificial grass for your lawn are a high face weight and long pile height to ensure a nice soft ground cover that&#;s able to withstand moderate to heavy foot traffic.
We also recommend using a cooling infill (for little feet and paws).
If you see a lot of heavy rain in your area, you should look for turf products with a fully permeable backing or our hybrid &#;DUAL FLOW&#; backing to allow for maximum drainage.
If your downtown apartment, deck or patio needs a little greening up, artificial grass is a great way to do it.
Because it&#;s installed over concrete or other hard surface, the best fake grass for patios should have a fully permeable backing to allow for draining and deter mold from growing.
Since a small deck or patio won&#;t see the heavy foot traffic that a yard would, you can afford to go with a short pile height.
Fake grass for dogs has exploded in popularity in recent years as homeowners recognize the value of creating a dog-friendly backyard.
Whether you&#;re considering replacing your entire lawn or looking to build a dog run, the best artificial grass for dogs & pets should have a fully permeable backing to allow pet urine to pass through.
We recommend using T°Cool Infill with dogs and pets because its antimicrobial properties will prevent the buildup of odors and bacteria, and the evaporative cooling will protect your pets paws.
Make sure you choose an infill that is non-toxic to pets.
A short pile height will also enable quick, easy cleanup of solid waste. (Read more about the specifics of artificial grass for pets here.)
Many homeowners choose to install artificial grass around swimming pools.
The best artificial grass for around swimming pools will have a fully permeable backing to allow splashed pool water to drain away rather than puddle up and foster bugs and messes.
Because of all the excess water, antimicrobial additives and a lower face weight are a good idea for artificial turf near pools or backyard ponds.
For an at-home putting green, choose a short pile height, around ½ to ¾ of an inch.
The best putting green turf products will have nylon fibers.
If you want to get fancy, you can choose two different pile heights to differentiate between the putting green and the fairway.
When you have the site prepped for your putting green, make sure there are no rocks, rough spots, uneven areas, or debris as these will affect your golf game.
Also, choose a high-quality infill to allow golf balls to roll consistently across the green.
A fully-permeable backing is ideal for playground turf.
The last thing you need in a children&#;s play area is stagnant water.
Choose an antimicrobial product to reduce germs, odors, and bacteria.
As for the fake grass itself, the best artificial grass for playgrounds and play areas should have a good thatch layer because it provides extra traction and cushion from falls.
You can even get a base layer of foam underlay for additional padding underneath the artificial grass.
You&#;ll also want a product with a good face weight so it will be durable enough to withstand continual foot traffic.
Regardless of what brand you choose, make sure the site is well-prepped to ensure there are no rocks or uneven areas beneath the artificial grass installation.
This will increase the life of your play area and prevent injuries from trips and falls.
There&#;s an artificial grass product to fit nearly every climate, use, location, and budget.
But don&#;t be intimidated by the volume and variety of fake grass products.
Once you know a few terms and features you&#;ll be well on your way to finding the best artificial grass for your space, whether it&#;s hearty turf for sports arenas or springy grass for your toddler&#;s playground.
If you&#;re interested in an artificial grass installation in Texas or Oklahoma City, please contact Ideal Turf today to get your FREE Artificial Grass Design & Installation Estimate by clicking &#;GET A QUOTE&#; button.
We will assess the needs of your location and offer product recommendations for your specific situation.
Feel free to give us a call at 800-204-.
While installing artificial turf may seem like the easiest thing in the world (especially compared to traditional lawn care), a successful artificial turf project doesn&#;t just magically happen. It requires an investment of time, money, and research at the beginning. Part of that research is learning how to choose the right artificial grass for your specific needs. The turf you choose could make or break your artificial lawn in the long run.
Let&#;s take a look at the different factors to consider before taking the plunge and investing in artificial grass.
Key considerations when shopping for artificial grass
Kick things off by asking yourself the million-dollar question: Why do I need artificial grass? Just like a good pair of shoes, there&#;s no one-size-fits-all solution to fake turf. You wouldn&#;t wear flip-flops on a snowy hike, right? Similarly, an artificial lawn made for a playground might not be the best fit for your front yard or pet area.
Take a few minutes to consider your purpose and needs. Grab a pen and paper if you need to, and note down the following:
QuestionsYour AnswersIn which area will the synthetic turf be installed?&#; Front yardAnswering all these questions will help you consider all the possible usage scenarios, which leads us to the next point.
Artificial grass terminology
Infographic by Juan RodriguezBefore you start wading through the vast array of artificial turf options, it&#;s worth brushing up on a few essential terms. Picking out shock-absorbent turf for, say, a playground requires slight variations in construction from a purely decorative surface. The weight, for example, would be higher to reduce the likelihood of injury.
The same goes for height and softness &#; you don&#;t want your kids to have a bumpy ride, do you?
Here&#;s a quick tour of the artificial grass terminology you need to know while you&#;re shopping:
Face weight
This isn&#;t some obscure diet term! It refers to the amount of material per square yard, excluding the backing weight. Heavier face weight equals superior quality and durability.
The face weight of an artificial turf directly impacts its density and overall appearance. If you&#;re looking for a turf that won&#;t flatten (maybe for family football games on Thanksgiving), go with an artificial turf product with a higher face weight. This will make the turf feel and look more lush and resilient against heavy foot traffic.
Most artificial turf products range from 30 to 90 ounces per square yard, with residential turf facing tending to fall between 50 and 80 ounces. Remember, when you&#;re shopping, prices will typically increase with the face weight of the product, so make sure you pick something that fits your budget and needs.
Pile height
Pile height, or blade length, is the measurement of how long the grass blades are. Just like face weight, the higher the pile height, the more lush and natural-looking your turf will be. The length of the &#;grass&#; ranges from about 0.5 to 4.0 inches.
For busy areas like playgrounds, go with a shorter pile height, as this makes the turf more resilient and less likely to mat or flatten. Shorter pile heights are also generally less expensive and require less maintenance. Typically, you should aim for a pile height between 2.5 and 3.0 inches for heavily used areas.
If your turf won&#;t see as much foot traffic, get a blade length of around 3.5 to 4.0 inches for a plush and realistic-looking surface.
Infill
Infill is also important for the turf&#;s weight. Without it, the turf can move around on windy days, resulting in an awkward look. Therefore, you should generally use infill for almost any artificial grass, though how much and which type you use will depend on the particular application. Here&#;s a snapshot of the different infill options.
Crumb rubber: This is the most common infill used. It&#;s made from recycled tires and is black in color. It tends to be the hottest infill in direct sunlight, so it&#;s perfect for areas that don&#;t get much sunshine.
EPDM rubber (Ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber): It is a manufactured rubber available in any color. It is also very durable and low maintenance, with excellent shock absorbency, making it ideal for artificial turf for sports fields. However, it is more expensive than crumb rubber, as it is not recycled.
Pro tip: If you plan to go for a more eco-friendly option, rubber infill isn&#;t for you. Unfortunately, EPDM rubber and crumb rubber come with several potential concerns, including:
Sand: This is the second most widely used infill, silica sand being readily available at an economical price tag. It tends to be slightly cooler in direct sunlight than rubber, but it is more abrasive if people fall and slide on the turf.
Durafill: While more expensive than sand, Durafill is an excellent infill option for high-traffic areas. It has less sharp edges, which are easier on artificial grass blades than regular silica sand. It has an antimicrobial coating that prevents microbes such as odor-causing bacteria resulting from pet urine.
Hydrochill: This is the coolest infill, using a coating to slow down heat absorption and shed it quickly. However, it&#;s still sand, so don&#;t forget about its downsides: little cushioning, slightly more abrasive, and doesn&#;t absorb shock.
Putting green infill: This is also technically sand and comes as a finer mesh version of Durafill. It helps putts roll smoother and faster and has a blend of green and black Durafill, making the artificial turf appear greener. It is used for various applications and is one of the best all-around solutions.
Zeofill/Zeolite: Zeolite is an organic infill made from volcanic ash minerals, considered the best for eliminating pet waste smells. Plus, it&#;s an absorbent surface that helps protect your turf from water damage. For this material, you should use a heavier infill, such as rubber or sand, as your base infill and then add a secondary layer of Zeolite on top.
The cost of an artificial turf infill varies greatly, costing anywhere from $0.30 to $0.90 per square foot, with putting green infill being the most expensive.
Backing
The unsung hero of artificial grass, providing stability, is often made up of two parts:
There are three main types of commercial backing:
Sub-base
This might not be an official part of your fake grass system. Still, it&#;s crucial &#; sans proper sub-base, it&#;s goodbye to the flawless turf installation you&#;ve been dreaming about!
The sub-base is the layer of substrate you install directly underneath the artificial grass. It is most commonly made up of a sand or gravel mixture but also can be composed of concrete, asphalt, or even wood. The sub-base serves several purposes, including:
If you&#;re unsure what to use, crushed miscellaneous base (CMB) and class II road base are the most common choices for landscaping applications. Decomposed granite (DG) is a more expensive solution but is preferred for golf courses and putting greens. Alternatively, check out ultra-base panels with their superior drainage performance.
Thatch
You can&#;t talk about artificial grass without mentioning thatch. No, we&#;re not talking about straw roofs or natural lawn thatch here &#; thatch is the term used to describe the shorter, curlier fibers of an artificial turf layer.
Thatch is usually a different color from the primary, taller blades. It&#;s mostly used to make the product look more realistic by imitating the dying blades that occur in real grass. Plus, it&#;s playing a role in turf density &#; since thatch is included in face weight, products without it tend to be much more dense at the top of the pile.
Depending on the manufacturer, the color varies from tan to yellow, green, and brown. The length of synthetic thatch also varies, which allows designers to customize the overall appearance and softness of the turf at different levels.
Artificial grass yarn
Yarn is the term used to describe the individual strands of grass on an artificial grass surface. Each yarn is usually made from one or more polymers and is designed to look like real grass blades. The polymers used can vary depending on the quality of the yarn, but most synthetic turf is made from polyethylene or polypropylene. Nylon is also used in some higher-end artificial turf products.
The yarn used in artificial turf is generally very strong and durable, as it needs to be able to withstand foot traffic and varying weather conditions. It also needs to have a realistic appearance, so the yarns are often given texturing to make them look like real grass blades.
Many of the products on the market today are UV resistant, meaning they won&#;t fade in the sunshine, and they are also able to stand up to rain without seeping water or becoming bogged down. Here are some of the key features of each synthetic turf yarn material:
Despite having all these benefits, it does come with a high price tag, and it is not usually used for backyards or landscaping due to its cost. You can find it more often being used as a secondary thatch to help improve the stability of other artificial grass products.
When choosing an artificial grass yarn, it&#;s essential to look at the strength and quality of the turf. This is usually expressed in its density rating, which indicates how many strands of turf are present per square inch. A higher density will typically indicate a better quality product, but you also shouldn&#;t skimp on the face weight.
Roll width
Typically, artificial turf is available in rolls that are 15 feet wide, and it&#;s almost always better to order too much turf than too little. This is because the cuts you make need to be exact, and any missteps in measurement will be much more noticeable in a large, open space.
When measuring a space for artificial turf, assume that the rolls will be slightly shorter in width by about 6 inches and also plan to have about 10 percent extra material for potential waste, fixing mistakes, and making cuts. If you&#;re installing the turf on an uneven or slanted surface, you should also plan for enough material to make cuts and fit the material into the terrain&#;s curves.
*Note: Artificial grass rolls can be longer than 50 feet, but longer lengths can be difficult to fit through door frames and also hard to seam together in a seamless combination.
Pro tip: For a DIY project, try to fix the turf as close to one piece without making too many seams. Make sure the blades are all facing in the same direction and that you leave an inch or two extra for cutting.
Common types of artificial grass
Photo Credit: Takayan | Canva Pro | LicenseAnother important aspect to consider when choosing the right artificial grass is the type of grass. Depending on your intended purpose and the application, there are several common types of synthetic turf, each with characteristics that make them better or worse for certain uses.
Landscape turf
Highly realistic and usually made to replicate natural grass, landscape turf is usually the most expensive option but also the most natural-looking. It is typically made out of two types of yarns, the curly lower layer providing resilience and support while the long blades above replicate grass blades.
Due to its density, it also usually has the highest up-front cost out of all the other types. The main advantage of this turf is its realistic aesthetic, making it a great choice for homeowners who want a lush, natural look.
Pet turf
Some artificial turfs are designed specifically to meet the needs of pets. The primary difference between a pet and regular turf is its antimicrobial agents that help minimize odors and its excellent drainage capabilities.
Pet turf is usually made without any synthetic infill, which makes it an ideal choice for homeowners who don&#;t want to deal with rubber or sand infill, and it also ensures that urine or other liquids can be quickly drained away.
Sports turf
Unlike landscape turf, sports turf is designed to be tougher and more resilient to handle the rigors of regular and intensive traffic. Some types of sports turf are reinforced with infill &#; usually rubber &#; to promote a faster and more realistic ball roll, while others are just reinforced with woven fibers.
Sports turf is also designed to reduce the impact of falls and sudden stops and is commonly used for football and soccer fields.
Playground turf
Who wouldn&#;t want a safe playground for the kids to enjoy? It&#;s every parent&#;s number one goal, and luckily, there&#;s playground turf that is specifically designed for playgrounds and daycare centers to promote greater play safety and optimal bounce.
This turf is usually made up of a combination of artificial grass and a soft foam backing, which helps to withstand wear and tear. It also usually doesn&#;t require rubber infill, making it an environmentally friendly and cost-effective choice.
Confused by all of the artificial grass lawn options? Don&#;t worry &#; here are some top picks to get you going:
Compare & contrast features
Photo Credit: Kameleon007 | Canva Pro | LicenseOnce you&#;re fluent in fake grass lingo, it&#;s time to play detective! Compare and analyze different turf offerings on the basis of thatch color, blade shape, pile height, density, drainage ability, and any antimicrobial properties they might have.
Whittle down your options based on where you&#;ll be installing the turf. For instance, heavy foot traffic areas need turf that can withstand all the stomping. Also, remember that not every shade of green is going to fit well with your natural surroundings. You want your lawn to look as authentic as possible, so pick a color scheme that mirrors local flora.
Don&#;t miss out on assessing durability, too &#; after all, you don&#;t want your beautiful new lawn going kaput within just a couple of years.
Get samples
They say seeing is believing, but when it comes to synthetic grass, it&#;s more like feeling is believing. Request free samples from suppliers so you can get familiar with favored options before making the leap.
Check out subscription boxes &#; most of them offer more bang for your buck and let you try out a whole range of options in an affordable way. And it&#;s much better to try lots of different options and find the perfect fit rather than deal with buyer&#;s remorse after a big-purchase blunder.
Calculate your budget
Crunch those numbers ahead of time. Artificial grass isn&#;t the most affordable thing, but there&#;s quite a variety out there for different budgets and purposes. Lay down your budget upfront so you know what ballpark you&#;re playing in &#; no surprises when the bill comes.
Besides the material itself, make sure you&#;re keeping tabs on additional artificial grass installation process costs like:
On average, synthetic turf costs between $5.50 and $19.75 per square foot, including labor and supplies. But that cost can go higher if you opt for luxury or advanced styles of turf. Make sure you know what&#;s included in a supplier&#;s quote to check if it&#;s a balanced and realistic offer.
You can install artificial grass DIY to save on labor costs, but keep in mind that it&#;s not the easiest job in the world, and there&#;s a possibility you could end up with a wanky-looking lawn if you don&#;t follow all the right steps.
Climate considerations
Photo Credit: MartinPrescott | Canva Pro | LicenseArtificial grass doesn&#;t need mowing and fertilizing, but it&#;s not entirely immune to temperature extremes and climatic conditions. Take the time to analyze average weather in your area &#; choosing turf that can handle what Mother Nature throws at it is essential.
Rainy day blues got you worried? Check how your potential fake lawn can handle precipitation. Excellent drainage is critical to prevent unsightly water pools, mold, and mildew.
Hot and dry climates? Then, choose artificial grass with cooling technology to dissipate heat, making it more comfortable to walk on. However, to activate the cooling features, you typically need to wet the turf &#; so do consider the cost of adding an irrigation system if necessary.
Lots of sun in your yard? Fortunately, some of the latest artificial grass models are engineered to prevent fading and are highly UV-resistant for longer-lasting brightness through the changing seasons!
Freezing climate? Artificial turf can resist freezing temperatures, but snow can be tricky. Pick out a robust and UV-stabilized synthetic turf to ensure you&#;re all set for the winter months. Snow removal may still be necessary, as heavy snowfall affects the grass&#;s appearance.
Regular maintenance
While artificial grass owners get more weekend lie-ins than those with natural grass lawns, tossing maintenance totally out the window isn&#;t in the cards either.
Regular cleaning and brushing will help you keep your artificial turf in tip-top condition and extend its life expectancy. Otherwise, dirt and debris can clog the turf and affect its original look. Be consistent with brushing, or you may notice some flattening out &#; not a good look! See our article on cleaning artificial grass for more insights.
Environmental impact of an artificial lawn
It&#;s great to be eco-conscious &#; and opting for artificial grass as a grass alternative certainly has its environmental benefits. All that water-saving, minimal maintenance, durability, and long lifespan can greatly contribute to a healthier planet.
However, it&#;s worth taking the time to consider your specific setup and potential risks (as with every major decision). From material production to disposal, every stage of the turf&#;s life cycle should be considered when making an educated decision.
When you&#;re selecting a synthetic grass product, investigate the different materials used and research best practices for installation, maintenance, and disposal or recycling. Some manufacturers are even creating eco-friendly turf from renewable resources like sugar cane to guarantee greater sustainability.
Learn more about the environmental impacts of artificial turf in our article: Is Artificial Grass Bad for the Environment?
Warranty watch-outs
Last but not least, remember to protect your investment by choosing a product with an extensive warranty. Warranties are especially important for big investments like artificial grass.
Ensure you educate yourself on the particulars and ins and outs of what is covered in your warranty policy. It&#;s not just about crossing i&#;s and dotting t&#;s &#; knowing these details can save a heap of trouble later on!
Pro tips:
FAQ about choosing artificial grass products
What thickness of artificial grass is best?There&#;s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question! It really depends on what you&#;re using your artificial grass for. Generally, a pile height of 3.5 inches works best for general landscaping or lawns, while a lower height is best for high-traffic areas.
What to look for when buying synthetic grass?Consider features like the face weight, pile height, infill, backing, thatch color, blade shape, and the type of grass. Additionally, think about your budget, your area&#;s climate, and any labor or installation costs.
Which material of artificial grass is best?Again, this depends on the purpose of the grass. Nylon is typically considered the highest quality but has a higher price tag. Polyethylene is a popular choice for an artificial yard, often found in residential landscaping. Polypropylene is the least expensive option and best for indoor use.
What is the best artificial grass for children?Regarding artificial turf for playgrounds, you&#;ll want to go with something that can withstand a lot of foot traffic, isn&#;t abrasive, and offers good cushioning. Polyethylene is an excellent synthetic option for these areas, and you&#;ll also want to consider safety features like foam padding. Avoid rubber infill, as it can be too hot or slippery for little ones.
Final thoughts
While choosing the right artificial grass might seem like traversing through uncharted territory, the selection process isn&#;t rocket science. All you have to do is figure out your needs and goals, do your research to compare the characteristics of different products, and be disciplined with your budget.
It&#;s worth mentioning that getting expert advice from specialists in the field can go a long way in ensuring you a successful turf project. Don&#;t know where to begin your journey? Lawn Love&#;s here to help! We connect homeowners with local lawn care pros who have the necessary expertise to make your green dream a reality.
Main Photo Credit: Dmytro Varavin | Canva Pro | License
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Luminita Toma is a nature-loving writer who simply adores pretty flowers and lawns. After plenty of research and writing on lawn care and gardening, she's got a keen eye for plants and their maintenance. When she's got some spare time, there's nothing she enjoys more than chilling with her friends, hitting the theatre, or traveling.