About Artificial Grass: What You Should Know

Considering artificial grass, but unsure which option is best for you? Whether you’re just starting your research into artificial grass, or are ready to make that big purchase, this guide can help.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the many types of artificial grass, the pros and cons, and important features to consider.

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Landscape Turf

Artificial grass stays green all year round and requires very little maintenance, which means no watering. Just one square foot of synthetic grass can save up to 32.24 to 64.48 gallons of water in a single year.

You also don’t have to worry about mowing and trimming. You get an effortlessly beautiful lawn that pays for itself over time.

Features:

• Authenticity: Manufacturers are creating grass that looks and feels more realistic than ever before.
• Durability: Landscape turf is UV stable, meaning it won’t fade in the sun. It’s also perforated for drainage and it tends to be more dense and plush than other turf.

Pros:

• Insect resistant: Bugs will be a thing of the past, so you can enjoy your lawn in comfort.
• Maintenance-free: No more tedious tasks such as mowing or watering are necessary, taking away the need for hard work.
• Always green: No need to worry about water shortages; this lawn is green without water.

Cons:

• Up-front expense:  Initially, it can be more expensive for the material/installation costs, but in the long term, it’s actually cheaper than natural grass.
• Heat: Because it’s made of plastic, it gets hot in the sun. You can keep your grass cool by adding shade and spraying it with a hose.

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Pet Turf

Artificial grass is safe for animals and gives them a comfortable green space to roll around on, whether it’s in your backyard or your patio.

Features

• Soft texture: The blades of the pet turf are often less stiff than traditional turf options. This provides a more natural and cushioned feel under paws.
• Durable and insect-free: Your dog can run around all they want without tearing up your grass, tracking mud in the house, or being bothered by fleas and ticks.

Is Artificial Grass Safe for Pets?

Here are a few features of pet turf grass that ensure your dog’s safety:

• Lead-free: No need to worry about your pet or kids being exposed to toxic metals.
• Fewer chemicals: You won’t have to use insecticides and harmful chemicals on artificial grass, so your pets won’t be exposed.

Pros

• Always green: Don’t worry about brown spots anymore. Synthetic turf is UV stable and durable through heat and frost. Enjoy green grass all year long!
• Non-toxic: It doesn’t contain lead or heavy metals.
• Easy maintenance: No mowing or watering needed.
• Indoor/outdoor installation: Perfect for your backyard or an indoor dog run. 

Cons

• Heat: artificial turf will get warmer than real grass in direct sunlight but can be cooled with a hose.
• Installation: While you can install pet turf yourself, typically it’s best to hire a professional. For a more DIY-friendly solution, choose turf tiles.
• Smell: Bacteria build-up in the turf can cause odor. We recommend Zeolite Max infill to neutralize unpleasant pet smells. 

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Putting Green Turf

This is a low pile artificial grass that allows golf balls to roll true.

It’s different than standard turf because it’s less thick, or lower pile, than the type of artificial grass on your lawn. Because its surface is thinner and the pile is tight, the golf ball can roll and stop like it would on natural Bentgrass.

Features

Learn more about face weight, pile height, and stimp readings to make your decision even easier.

• Face weight: The face weight is the amount of material used per square yard in your artificial grass. For putting green, the optimal face weight is between 40 and 60 ounces.

• Pile height: Pile height is the thickness of your turf. Putting green should have a low pile height to ensure your ball rolls true. Most putting green surfaces are 1/2” thick to 3/4” thick.

• Stimp reading: A stimp reading tells you how fast the ball will roll on putting green. The higher the stimp reading, the faster the ball will roll.

Pros

• Maintenance-free: You don’t have to mow or water it. All that labor is gone.
• Always green: Putting green turf won’t fade or turn brown in the winter.

Cons

• Up-front expense: Buying and installing artificial grass can get expensive, but in the long term, it’s actually cheaper.
• Installation: While you can install pet turf yourself, typically it’s best to hire a professional.

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Gym Turf

Gym turf allows you to transform your workout area into a space where you can challenge yourself in fun and varied ways. From strength training and conditioning to yoga and stretching, you can reach your full potential in your workouts.

Features

• Durability: It’s perfect for pulling or pushing sleds, completing your CrossFit®, WOD®, or performing HIIT® workouts. 

Pros

• Versatile: Gym turf works great for home gyms, fitness studios, workout facilities, and more.
• Traction and cushion: It’s the perfect surface for lateral movement and fancy footwork. 
• Durability: It can handle even your toughest workouts.
• Low maintenance: Save costs and time with the little upkeep needed for your gym turf.
• Appearance: Both functional and beautiful, fake grass gives your gym a modern design element with plenty of functionality.

Cons

• Can be abrasive: The surface can be rough when you’re doing floorwork. 

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Playground Turf

This turf is great for under playsets and jungle gyms. With the right padding underneath, your kids can play without the worry of serious injury from falls.

Features

• Durability: It’s UV stable and also heat and frost resistant. It typically has a higher face weight and more durable fibers so it can handle heavy traffic during recess.
• Realistic look and feel: Manufacturers work hard to make artificial grass look more realistic and feel more realistic than ever before.

Does Playground Turf Need Padding?

On its own, this turf will not give you a proper fall height rating to keep your kids safe. You’ll also need padding underneath. 

Fall height is the highest point a child can fall from and not be seriously injured. If your playground flooring surface is fall height rated for 7′, that means the child can fall from 7′ without serious injury.

Fall height ratings depend on thickness and padding. 

• 2′ fall height rating: great for residential use
• 6’ fall height rating: great for residential and commercial use

Pros

• Insect resistant: No more bugs interrupting playtime. 
• Maintenance-free: You don’t have to worry about watering or mowing.
• Eco-friendly: Artificial grass saves about 32 to 64 gallons of water a year per square foot.

Cons

• Up-front expense: Buying and installing artificial grass can get expensive, but in the long term, it’s actually cheaper.
• Heat: Because it’s made of plastic, it gets hot in the sun. You can keep your grass cool by adding shade and spraying it with a hose.

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How to Install Artificial Grass

With the right tools and preparation, you can install artificial grass on your own. Just follow these steps:

1. Prepare the area: Start with level, compact ground.
2. Lay a base: Spread out stone or gravel as a firm base.
3. Install a weed barrier: To stop weeds from growing through.
4. Lay the grass: Spread it out, trim it to fit, and secure it with nails or staples.
5. Add infill: Apply infill to ensure the grass blades stand up straight.

Artificial Grass Installation Accessories

To install, you’ll need a few accessories. 

• Weed fabric: Use this to prevent weeds from growing through your grass.
• Infill: Infill helps hold your grass down and keeps the blades standing up for a natural look. Some infills even help with heat and smell.
• Staples and nails: Nails hold the edges of the grass, while staples are great for holding seams together. 
• Seam tape and adhesive: You can also use seam tape to secure grass edges together.
• Lawn pads or play pads: For some extra cushion under your feet, lay down a lawn pad. 

Conclusion

Artificial grass is durable and versatile, and you can use it anywhere from gyms to your backyard. There are many specialized options designed for any use. 

Now you know the facts, you can shop with confidence!

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