Have you ever stepped foot on a soccer or football field in a stadium? The grass below your feet probably felt a little different than what you’re used to. While it might’ve done a great impersonation of real grass, close up you could probably tell that it wasn’t.
This fake grass is called artificial turf and it’s become more and more popular over the years for a variety of reasons. Let’s take a look at what artificial turf is and why it’s become so popular in recent years.
Artificial Turf is…
… synthetic fibers that look like green blades of grass. They come in different shades of green and different blade heights. It’s made in the same way carpet is so it’s so easy to install. The first part consists of the actual blades of grass and the second part is the backing that binds the blades together to form a carpet.
It’s commonly used in sports stadiums and fields, but it’s starting to become more popular in commercial and residential properties.
What’s the shelf life of artificial turf?
The artificial turf they make now can last anywhere from 15-20 years. Any longer and the artificial turf will start to look a bit lifeless. You might notice the blades of grass becoming lifeless. If you use your artificial turf for a lot of sporting matches or it’s exposed to extreme temperatures, your artificial turf could last under 15 years. That’s why most warranties on artificial turf are 15 years.
Is it flammable?
The great thing about artificial turf or synthetic grass is that it’s totally safe. Even if it’s exposed to fire or lightning, it won’t catch fire. It’ll melt so you won’t have to worry about it becoming a fire Hazzard.
Does it require maintenance?
You no longer need to worry about having someone cut or trim the lawn on your property. Synthetic grass doesn’t grow, so you don’t need to use a lawnmower. As an added bonus, you also don’t need to use fertilizer or treatments on your lawn to keep it healthy. Artificial turf doesn’t need water, seeding, or fertilization to keep it looking great. Artificial turf will always look nice.
While you won’t have to water, fertilize, or cut your lawn anymore, you’ll still have to do a few things to keep it looking its best. Debris like sticks or leaves will still fall on your lawn if it’s outside exposed to the elements. You’ll need to rake the leaves or remove any fallen debris from the lawn to keep it looking its best.
If you have a lot of foot traffic on the lawn, such as on a football field, then the blades of grass might become limp or lifeless before their time. You can fix this by occasionally using a broom or brush to force the blades of grass back up to a standing position. For more maintenance tips, click here.
If I have pets, will that be a problem?
No, but your lawn might require some extra maintenance to make sure it stays in perfect condition and doesn’t dorm an odor. For solid waste, you can simply pick up the waste and drench the area with a disinfectant that’s safe on artificial turf. Avoid highly acidic ingredients and cleaners with alcohol. I recommend using vinegar if you’re looking for something safe and natural.
For liquid waste, I recommend rinsing the entire lawn with a hose or sprinkler. That way you can ensure you’re getting the entire area where your dog is eliminated.
If you don’t have pets that are going to be using the lawn, you won’t have to do this at all. Artificial turf is a deterrent to wildlife since they can’t burrow or eat it. You won’t even see too many bugs since they don’t like artificial grass.
If I purchase it for my residential home, will it increase its value?
It’s hard to say. Unless your buyer is someone who likes artificial turf, then there’s no real guarantee. It’s too subjective to answer that question definitively. All I can say is that artificial grasses can make for beautiful and consistent landscaping of your property, and it won’t hurt your resell value if you find the right buyer.
If you’re looking for additional upgrades you can make on your home to increase the value, follow the link. It might give you some good ideas so you can improve your salability without deterring potential buys. https://www.homelight.com/blog/what-upgrades-increase-home-value/
If you’re thinking about purchasing artificial grass for your residential or commercial property, then I hope I helped answer some of your questions. An artificial turf company can help you choose the right turf for you since there are a lot of different options out there. Don’t be afraid to ask them about durability, quality, price, and pet-friendly options.