Artificial grass is a surface that consists primarily of synthetic fibers, a backing, and a coating that resembles natural grass in appearance.
Synthetic turf was first used in 1966 at the Houston Astrodome, the first domed track and field stadium in the United States. Because natural light did not reach the pitch, the natural grass turned yellow and withered, and the pitch was in such poor condition that it was replaced with artificial turf.
Today, artificial turf with greatly improved simulation is widely used not only in various outdoor sports fields such as soccer, hockey, rugby, tennis and golf, but also in residential and commercial areas.
Artificial grass is far from a commodity.
There are different types of grass that are made for specific uses and uses.
This guide covers the different elements of artificial grass and explains what to look for in your artificial grass produc
With so many brands, features, and products to choose from when it comes to buying artificial grass, it can be overwhelming to choose.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to choosing the best artificial grass for your space.
First, decide what kind of space you want to put your lawn on.
Will there be more people on the street?
Is it prone to puddles or standing water?
Sun or shade? Is your pet using it?
These and other questions can help you find the properties you want in your artificial grass.
Then research the brands and products available.
Who would have thought artificial grass could be so complicated?
In this section, we decipher all the specific terms in the artificial grass world so that you can interpret the product specifications to find the best artificial grass for your project.
Artificial grass is made from just three types of yarn: nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
Because of its adaptability and ability to strike a balance between hardiness, beauty, and softness, polyethylene is the most often used material.
For putting greens and as a thatch layer on landscape grasses, polypropylene is frequently utilised.
The most expensive and long-lasting yarn is nylon, but it isn’t soft and is typically used for putting greens.
In order to replicate particular species of grass, yarn is available in a range of hues, weights, and forms.
The density, also known as stitch count, refers to the quantity of blades per square inch.
Similar to the thread count of sheets, a grass with a greater stitch count is of higher quality.
Denser turf products are more resilient and offer an artificial grass lawn that seems more natural.
Pile Height Artificial grass’s pile height describes how long the blades are.
Look for artificial turf with a shorter pile height, between ⅜ and ⅝ inches, if you need it for a sports field, dog run or other busy area.
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 A turf type’s face weight is measured in ounces of material per square yard.
The quality and durability of the artificial grass increase with the face weight.
The weight of the backing material is not included in the face weight.
Thatch is extra fibre that imitates the irregularities of real grass by having different weights, colours, and textures.
Thatch frequently contains brown fibres that mimic the decaying undergrowth of grass beneath the brilliant, growing layer of green grass.
A product with thatch will provide your front or back lawn the most realistic appearance if you’re seeking for artificial grass.
Infill serves a variety of responsibilities in maintaining the quality of your artificial grass.
It maintains fibre alignment, serves as a stabiliser to protect turf from shifting, and enhances the realistic appearance and feel of the grass.
Turf fibres would quickly mat and become flat without filler.
Along with shielding the backing from sun damage, it also absorbs shock from walking feet and paws.
Several materials, including silica sand and crumb rubber, are used to make infill.
Some brands have cooling, antibacterial, or anti-odor characteristics.
Backing Artificial grass has two types of backing: primary backing and secondary backing.
Together, the primary and secondary backings work to give the whole system dimensional stability.
The main backing is made of woven polypropylene fabrics, which enable the tufted-in rows of artificial grass fibres and make seaming between artificial grass panels easier.
To put it another way, it’s the strong material to which the grass blades and fibres are sewn.
A good backing will resist stretching.
In order to permanently hold the tufted fibres in place, the secondary backing—often referred to as the “coating”—is placed to the reverse side of the primary backing.
The primary and secondary backing work together to make up the back weight.
A high-quality lawn product should have a back weight of at least 26 ounces.
Any installation area that will receive a lot of traffic needs to have a good back weight.
Artificial grass is available in a range of colours, just like real grass.
A variety of colours will be included in high-quality artificial turf in order to mimic the appearance of natural grass.
Select a hue that most nearly resembles the local grass species in its natural state.
The soil will dimple and wrinkle if artificial turf is installed directly on it because the soil expands and shrinks with the seasons.
Therefore, even though it’s not a formal component of your artificial grass, a perfect turf installation depends on the sub-base.
Underneath the fake grass is a layer of compacted sand, decomposed granite, river boulders, and gravel known as the sub-base.
It serves as the structure for your artificial turf and must be made with the necessary components to enable efficient drainage.
You have the knowledge necessary to compare the many synthetic turf products on the market now that you are aware with the terminology used in the artificial grass industry.
You can find the following details for each synthetic turf product:
However, not all of these features are equally crucial, and the weight of each one will vary depending on where it is installed and what it is used for.
Continue reading to find out which features are most pertinent to your project.
When determining how much you can spend, it’s crucial to consider more than just the sticker price of an artificial grass installation.
Artificial grass can pay for itself in three to five years when compared to real grass because of the long-term water and maintenance savings.
Other economic benefits of artificial turf include less mowing/weeding/fertilizing, higher home value, and increased attractiveness.
Density, measured as stitch count, affects the resilience and natural look of the grass. Higher density is generally better quality.
Infill helps maintain fiber alignment, stability, and a lifelike feel, preventing matting and providing cushioning.
Backing, both primary and secondary, contributes to dimensional stability and durability. A higher back weight is preferable for high-traffic areas.
