pros and cons artificial grass, Informationvine.com (2024)

FAQs

What's the pros and cons of artificial grass? ›

Plastic lawns can overheat in hot weather making them unusable. Artificial grass can contribute to global warming by absorbing significantly more radiation than living grass and, to a lesser extent, by displacing living plants that could remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

In our expert opinion, artificial grass is a smart investment that's worth the money every time. In the long run, a synthetic lawn will cost less money and time than a natural grass lawn. It can stand up to wear and tear from pets, foot traffic, and kids and will look gorgeous for years to come.

ForeverLawn Landscape products come out on top in terms of having a natural, realistic appearance. In fact, the ForeverLawn^® Select line of synthetic grass was the first to incorporate a tan thatch that mimics the construction of natural grass.

No Chewing Gum, Oils or Adhesives on Your Artificial Grass

Certain substances such as chewing gum, oils and adhesives should be kept away from artificial grass. While it's debatable whether these things would cause permanent damage as they can all be repaired/removed, prevention is certainly better than cure.

May 20, 2021. A perk of artificial turf is its longevity. With average use and maintenance, you can expect to enjoy your synthetic grass for at least 20 years, a worthwhile investment that essentially pays for itself in half that time.

Artificial grass is most commonly made from a mix of plastics (polypropylene, polyurethane and polyethene) and environmentalists have warned that not only are you using fossil fuels to make the grass, but you are also installing a product that will never biodegrade and will end up at a landfill.

A common question asked by those considering installing synthetic turf is whether it is susceptible to bugs. Thankfully, the answer is no. Artificial turf does an excellent job at repelling mosquitos, weeds, and various other pests.

Yes, even with rigorous maintenance, it is possible to have fungus or mold spring up in your synthetic turf. Artificial grass mold can be handled easily when you have the right liquid solution.

What is the difference between synthetic grass and artificial grass? ›

Artificial or synthetic turf: Artificial or synthetic turf is a surface of synthetic fibres made to look like natural grass. Both artificial and synthetic turf as a search term essentially mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably.

High-quality nylon sod is the most expensive. Polyethylene and polypropylene are more affordable and include low-cost options. Nylon artificial grass cost is typically between $5 and $6 per square foot. You can find lower prices, down to $3, and premium options sold at $11 to $12 per square foot.

For those that like the look of freshly cut grass, anything between 25-30mm is a good choice. For a natural looking lawn, we recommend choosing something between 30-38mm. Anything longer than this and the fibres tend to lie flat under their own weight rather than standing upright.

U-shaped blades are the softest and made to withstand all weather and wear. The U-shape is most popular because it is versatile and will retain its u-shape even when the foot traffic is heaviest. C-shaped artificial grass blades are durables and soft, much like U-shapes.

Constant foot traffic and laying or sitting on the grass can eventually squash down the blades. It takes some time for natural grass to recover. Artificial grass, however, springs right back when you brush it with a soft-tined rake or stiff broom.

One question that we get asked every now and then by our customers is 'can I hoover artificial grass? ' – the answer is no. You should refrain from using a vacuum cleaner on your synthetic turf as the suction will remove the infill sand from the grass area.

Excessive Weight. Heavy weight can damage the structural layers of the artificial grass. This can lead to irreparable problems and completely ruin the turf. The good news is that light foot traffic is not heavy enough to create this problem.

Generally speaking, an ideal time to have artificial turf installed would be during the fall season. Having artificial turf installed in preparation for the spring and summer months is a great idea. And statistically, the cooler months (December through February) are less busy for contractors.

Artificial turf is UV-stabilised for fantastic protection against the sun. This means it won't fade or discolour in sunlight and will maintain its vibrant green colour.

Regardless of how severe is the rain, artificial grass will survive! The water drains right through the product, through the sub-base into the soil. If it is properly laid, synthetic turf offers exceptional drainage even if it rains for a long time period.

Does artificial turf drain well? ›

The good news is that artificial turf drains even better than natural grass. The backing on artificial grass is designed to be extremely porous and will let even more water through to the underlying soil than natural grasses.

There are various types of sub-base you can use with artificial grass and it will depend on the surface you are laying the grass on. Most likely you will use a sharp sand for creating a flat surface and a weed membrane. An artificial grass underlay will also add extra comfort to an artificial lawn.

Even though synthetic grass will prevent most conventional rodents or pests from infesting your yard, you still have to keep an eye out for ants and other hardier pests. However, rats, voles, snakes, and moles will likely pass your place without stopping.

The short answer to this question is: No, artificial turf does not attract bugs. The long answer is: No. One of the many benefits of turf, in addition to its durability, easy maintenance, and water conservation, is that it doesn't attract bugs.

Moles, mice, rabbits, groundhogs and other rodents often don't hang around long if a natural grass lawn is converted to artificial turf. Moles and groundhogs cannot thrive in an environment covered with artificial turf.

A damp sponge and a bit of water is usually enough to get rid of any spills. If it's dried on or just a bit stubborn, cleaning artificial grass with vinegar will also work. A half-and-half mix of vinegar and water will usually do the job.

A new artificial turf system was developed in the early 2000s based on "crumb rubber." The black crumbs are small pieces of styrene-butadiene rubber made from grinding up old vehicle tires. The tire crumbs are poured in between the artificial grass blades, giving the artificial fields more cushion and support.

After reading the previous tip, you'll now be aware that part of an artificial grass installation involves removing the existing lawn. As you might have guessed, it's recommended that you install a weed membrane to prevent weed growth. However, we recommend that you use two layers of weed membrane.

Brush the Artificial Fibres Regularly

We also recommend that you regularly brush your artificial lawn to prevent matting and ensure the fibres remain in an upright position. Over time, you may notice that the fibres on your AstroTurf are not standing as upright as they once did.

We recommend digging down 2-3 inches to get fresh soil to the top. Rake the ground to be as level as possible and flatten down. Consider using a lawn roller here.

Can you just lay artificial grass on dirt? ›

You should never lay artificial grass directly on top of existing grass or bare dirt. A base is required to keep the artificial turf laying flat and even, allowing for drainage and preventing tears and damage.

Unfortunately laying artificial grass directly on top of soil or existing grass just will not work. The finished result would be an extremely uneven looking lawn. The key to long-lasting artificial grass is just as much about getting the groundworks right as it is choosing the right fake grass.

We recommend giving your grass a full 24 hours before use to allow any adhesive used in the joins to set. If you do not allow this time then there is a chance the grass will shift before it has settled, which is not ideal! We encourage you to stop children or pets using the area until the following day.

Synthetic turf is a great way to keep those pesky pests such as rabbits, armadillos, and squirrels from destroying your lawn. They're typically drawn to natural grasses and will graze on them, but with synthetic turf they can't do so and so they'll stay out of your yard.

Artificial grass is easy to maintain, does not require mowing or watering. For that reason, it is very suitable for playgrounds, sports courts as it reduces electricity bills and spares valuable water and time. Convenient for maintenance and refreshing for decoration!

Artificial grass not only looks like natural grass, but has the same feel as well. While it may feel slightly different to the touch, it is extremely difficult to tell which is artificial and which real if you are walking or running across it.

The cheap alternative? Just use nails – a lot of them. This is a perfectly viable seaming method for some installations, though not quite as secure. Nails can and often do work loose over time and with enough foot traffic, so we only recommend this method if your grass isn't going to get a lot of that.

The hardest wearing, most durable fibre used to manufacture artificial grass is nylon. When looking for the best artificial grass for dogs and pets, choosing one that is made from nylon would be an excellent choice as it will be able to stand up to the heavy, regular use that it will receive.

K9Grass by ForeverLawn is widely considered the best fake grass for dogs. It is designed to mitigate odors and provide a sanitary environment.

The pile height should be 3/8” to 5/8” (or 1/2”) pile height. Leisure golfers require less Envirofill for their artificial grass putting greens than professional golfers. Plan to use 2-4 pounds of Envirofill per square foot, which is the best turf infill for artificial grass putting greens.

What is the foundation for artificial grass? ›

There are a few different sub-base options, the most common being crushed granite stone. This is sometimes referred to as Grano dust or 4-6mm dust. You can also use limestone and MOT Type 1, but here at Artificial Lawn Company, we mainly use our own special mix of crushed granite aggregate.

The organic infill is also a very low-bulk density and doesn't absorb as much heat from the sun. These are the two main factors that make ProGreen CoolPlay the industry-leading artificial grass that stays cool.

Will My Artificial Grass Get Weeds? Artificial Turf is durable and without a doubt more weed resistant than natural grass. However, it is possible for weeds to grow through the small holes in the backing material and around the edges. Depending on the type of infill used, weeds may sometimes develop in the infill.

The good news is that the artificial grass itself is engineered to be free-draining. The backing will be permeable so that water passes through it easily. For this reason fake grass actually tends to be more efficient at draining than natural grass.

What should I do if my turf smells after rain? Most artificial grass lawns are equipped with a drainage system that's capable of handling standard rain showers, but when there's excessive precipitation, it's possible that your turf smells after rain. This is due to bacterial growth in pooled water.

Thankfully, the answer is no. Artificial turf does an excellent job at repelling mosquitos, weeds, and various other pests.

A damp sponge and a bit of water is usually enough to get rid of any spills. If it's dried on or just a bit stubborn, cleaning artificial grass with vinegar will also work. A half-and-half mix of vinegar and water will usually do the job.

One question that we get asked every now and then by our customers is 'can I hoover artificial grass? ' – the answer is no. You should refrain from using a vacuum cleaner on your synthetic turf as the suction will remove the infill sand from the grass area.

If you choose to use a pressure washer to clean the grass we suggest you spray the grass gently from a distance. We use the Karcher K2 Pressure Washer. Do not try cleaning the grass like you would a patio as this could damage the grass fibres and could also damage the base of the lawn.

Because artificial turf is made of synthetic materials, it does not need to be watered at all, except when the homeowner decides to occasionally rinse it off. Giving artificial turf an occasional rinse helps to keep odors from becoming a problem, especially if pets tend to do their business close to the home.

Does artificial grass make your yard hotter? ›

Yes, artificial grass does get hotter than regular grass. There is no denying the fact that natural grass stays cooler because the water within it keeps natural grass cooler even on hot days.

Synthetic turf is designed with a perforated backing that allows water to drain through the turf and into the sub-base, which is specifically crafted to allow proper drainage. Therefore, it is perfectly fine for your artificial grass to get wet.

Yes! Power washing the turf will clean the artificial grass quickly. Take care not to power wash solids. Pick up any solids including pet faeces before power washing.

Mix water and baking soda

When your furry friend uses the artificial grass as a toilet, it can leave some residue on the fibres causing the smell of dog urine to appear. One easy way to remove this smell is by mixing a solution of water or vinegar and baking soda.