Artificial Grass Buying Guide

High Foot Traffic

Not all artificial grass is created equal. Some brands are not as durable as others. This can become evident when high foot traffic starts to show early signs of wear, like loose fibers, discoloration, worn down pile height, or matted and entangled fibers that don’t stand up anymore. High foot traffic areas need grass that’s more durable.

Pets

Having pets means more wear and tear on your lawn. Artificial grass is durable and can hold up to pet urine. For dog waste, use a poop scoop or tissue to pick it up and dispose of it. Rinse the area to flush away any debris, scrub with a mix of soap and water. Clean up any solid waste as soon as possible to prevent staining and clean it at least once a week to prevent urine smells from lingering.

There are artificial grasses made especially with pets in mind that are shorter and stiffer than other artificial grasses, making them extra durable to handle the type of damage pets could do to a lawn.

Climate

Artificial grass can be installed in hot or cold climates. Unlike natural grass, it doesn’t need to be watered to thrive. This is a plus for states, counties, cities or towns that have water restrictions, desert and arid climates, etc. However, you may need to hose it down and/or rake it on a regular basis to wash away dirt and debris that accumulates to keep it clean.

Safety

When exposed to direct sunlight, especially for a long time, artificial grass can reach temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or more. That’s about 50 degrees hotter than natural grass and about the same temperature as asphalt. Installing an irrigation system can quickly cool the grass down, preventing burns and serious injury. If you don’t have an irrigation system installed, sprinklers or a water hose will do.

Material

The material artificial grass is made from plays a significant role in its appearance. Grass made from polyethylene strikes a great balance between softness, looks and durability and is the most used material in imitation lawns. It creates the most realistic looking grass as well.

Polypropylene is another material used to make artificial grass and backing for artificial grass. It’s also used to make putting greens, grass mats and thatch layer. While polypropylene is durable and low maintenance, it is susceptible to fading from UV exposure.

Other materials include nylon, which is stronger than both polyethylene and polypropylene and has a higher melting point, and yarn, which is typically made from a blend of the former three materials. Some may find nylon to be the best artificial grass for their needs, while you may be happy with polyethylene. This is why it’s important to do your research and feel the materials to help you decide what you believe to be the best artificial grass for lawns.

Pile Height and Density

Pile height and density is important if you want your lawn to look more realistic. To combat that fake lawn look, choose grass that has a long pile with a high density. This gives the grass a more lush, naturally realistic look that’s resilient and able to withstand wear and tear. A shorter pile is durable and great for high traffic areas, but it looks less natural.

The face weight is also a vital component of the artificial lawn. Face weight refers to the weight of the grass fibers in a square yard, excluding the backing. The higher the face weight, the higher the pile height and denser the grass is, making it more durable.

Thatch

In real grass, thatch is a layer of dead and living organic matter (roots, dead grass clippings, etc.). In artificial grass, thatch is a layer of yellow and brown shorter synthetic blades meant to replicate natural thatch in the grass.

Drainage System

Having a good drainage system is something to consider with artificial grass. If your artificial grass isn’t permeable, you’ll want a system planned out that allows water to easily flow through the grass to wash away dirt, pet urine and feces, etc.

Budget

Before shopping for artificial grass, you need to determine what your budget will be. Factors to consider include:

• the amount of grass you’ll need
• the grass quality and brand
• color of the grass
• the install size and accessibility
• infill material
• labor costs

Artificial grass may seem like the answer to your landscape dreams, but there are things you need to do to keep it looking great. If you're going to have a fake lawn, why not make it the best faux grass in the neighborhood.

• Brush or rake it regularly to keep the fibers standing upright.
• Periodically rotate furniture to keep it from creating permanent indentations.
• To keep high-traffic areas looking good, add pavers or steppingstones to create a pathway.
• Cross-brush — brushing in the opposite direction of the fibers or brushing against the grain — once a month to keep the fibers upright.
• Protect artificial grass from heat sources. Artificial grass is a synthetic material that’s prone to melting. Keep it away from fire pits, barbecue grills and other sources of heat.
• Check the grass for weed growth. Although artificial grass prevents weeds and other plants from growing, you may occasionally see weed growth. If so, apply a weed killer to help prevent it from growing through the artificial grass.
• Add infill to keep the fibers upright. Infill is usually granular material, like sand, that’s added between the blades of grass.