Artificial grass is a complementing element to any space that needs a lush green ambiance. It’s easier to maintain than natural turf, making it an excellent choice for busy homes, commercial buildings, and leisure spaces.
Choosing the best artificial grass for a specific space can be tricky. You need to note even the smallest details like the materials used and the special features you’re eyeing. It becomes even more challenging as you look into various choices.
Here are some valuable pointers on choosing the best artificial grass for your space to serve as your guide.
Specify The Space’s Function
Specifying your space’s function is always a top priority when choosing the best artificial grass. It determines which material is appropriate to withstand different conditions such as the weather, foot traffic, moisture, dirt, and stain.
Each space needs artificial grass with proper specifications to ensure longevity and durability. This way, you can maximize your budget.
Home Lawn
Artificial turf is popular among homeowners to keep their lawns green all year. It’s also an efficient solution to conserving water and saves time and effort in maintenance.
Lawns are exposed to changing weather, dirt, stain, and moisture. In this case, it’s best to choose artificial grass that can withstand harsh conditions. A drainage system is also necessary to prevent water pooling on rainy days.
Pet Yard
You need to consider stain, dirt, liquid and smell when installing artificial grass in your yard for pets or a public pet park. Pet pees and feces are inevitable, so you might need some antimicrobial properties to prevent diseases and foul odors. It’s also considerable to choose a turf with stain-resistant features.
Balcony And Rooftop
Installing artificial grass on balconies and rooftops is popular in cities. Because there’s no space for a yard, it’s the next best thing to experience a relaxing green ambiance.
Like home lawns, artificial turf on a balcony or rooftop is exposed to weather and moisture. Aside from looking for the most durable materials, a drainage system and an additional waterproof base are necessary.
Playground
Artificial grass is best for indoor and outdoor playgrounds. It provides a soft cushion for the feet as children run and play. Because it’s a busy space, choosing a turf that’s highly resilient to foot traffic is best. You may also need antimicrobial features to maintain health and safety.
Indoor Commercial Use
Indoor commercial spaces greatly benefit from an inviting lush green atmosphere. Artificial grass is an excellent design solution because it’s almost impossible to maintain natural turf in building interiors.
The best artificial grass type in commercial settings depends on the design needs and functions. If there’s no heavy foot traffic, low-density turf is enough. In a temperature-controlled environment, you don’t have to worry about weatherproofing.
Sports Stadiums
Artificial grass is the top choice in sports stadiums as it’s low maintenance and highly durable. Football stadiums can hold major sports events and even music concerts. To cater to heavy foot traffic and exposure to weather, moisture, dirt, and stain, it’s best to look for the maximum quality.
Know The Different Types Of Artificial Grass
It’s best to look into different types of artificial grass as you choose what’s best for a specific space. These types are categorized by yarn material, pile height, backing type, density, thatch, and infill.
Yarn Material
The yarn composes of the grass blades of artificial turf. The material used significantly affects its overall durability and determines some essential features.
Nylon
The strongest and most expensive material for artificial grass is nylon. Its price is reasonable due to its longevity. It’s heat-resistant and resilient to heavy traffic. However, it’s not comfortable for the foot due to its stiffness.
Most manufacturers mix nylon with other materials to create a comfortable surface while keeping the grass dense and springy.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene grass is an excellent material for home lawns, pet yards, playgrounds, balconies, and rooftops. It’s softer and looks more organic compared to nylon, making it a perfect alternative to natural grass.
Moreover, polyethylene is a non-porous material. It doesn’t absorb moisture and odor, so it’s easier to clean and maintain. It also perfectly balances aesthetics and function due to its natural look, softness, heat resistance, and weatherproof properties.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is the most affordable artificial grass. However, it’s not as durable as the first two. It can’t hold up heavy foot traffic and is not ideal for lawns due to a lack of weatherproofing. Artificial grass with this material is only suitable for indoor use and decoration.
Pile Height
Each space requires specific pile heights for comfort, traffic, and aesthetics. Knowing the different pile heights can help you balance these factors.
Short
Short pile artificial grass heights range from 10 to 30 mm. This type doesn’t look as natural, but it serves efficiency for pet yards and outdoor living areas. It’s also durable and not too stiff.
Medium
Medium pile height artificial grass is the most ideal for various settings and purposes. Its height ranges from 30 to 37 mm. It provides enough cushion for the feet while providing space for a secondary thatch to maximize durability. It’s suitable for home lawns due to its natural look and convenient maintenance.
Long
A height exceeding 37 mm is considered a long pile. You may also install these on your lawn if you’re not expecting foot traffic. However, some long pile height artificial grass can look flat and stiff if the fibers are too thick. Considering this, you may need a turf with fine yarns to make it look more natural.
Backing Type
The artificial grass backing is composed of primary and secondary layers. The primary layer is where the fibers are woven, while the secondary backing is the side that sits on the sub-base.
Latex
Artificial turf with a latex backing is ideal for indoor use. Because this material expands in exposure to heat, it may create air bubbles and wrinkles during hot summer days. However, it holds well in temperate weather and controlled environments.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a heat-resistant and weatherproof material. Artificial grass with polyurethane backing can withstand extreme changes in weather and temperature. It’s also waterproof and stain-resistant, suitable for outdoor use.
Density
The density of artificial grass affects its durability. It also determines how much traffic it can withstand.
Low-Density
Artificial grass with less than 15,000 stitches per square meter is considered low-density. This type is only suitable for low-traffic areas and decorative purposes.
Medium-Density
Medium-density artificial grass is ideal for domestic purposes such as home lawns, pet yards, and outdoor living spaces. Its density ranges between 15,000 and 18,000 stitches per square meter and can cater to moderate traffic areas.
High-Density
High-density artificial turf has more than 18,000 stitches per square meter. It can withstand heavy traffic, appropriate for public and commercial spaces.
Thatch
Thatch refers to the fibers sitting below the surfaces of the artificial grass. It mimics the look of dried grass while making the turf springy and comfortable to walk on.
Without Thatch
Most short-pile and low-density artificial grasses don’t have thatches. This type is often used only for ornamental purposes as the yarns can get easily deformed with traffic.
Nylon
Some manufacturers only use nylon for thatch and polyethylene for the blades. Nylon is a highly durable material that keeps the yarns in shape even when exposed to heavy traffic.
Natural-Looking
Natural-looking thatch is often made of the same material as the blades. They are usually brownish to imitate the organic grass look.
Infill
The infill protects the artificial turf’s structure. It keeps the blades upright and allows them to spring back after being stepped on. It may also provide moisture-proofing and antimicrobial properties.
Crumb Rubber
Crumb rubber is a typical infill for turfs in sports stadiums. It makes the artificial grass bouncy and springy. However, the rubber may trap heat, making the surface hot during summer.
Silica Sand
Silica sand is the most affordable infill material. It performs well in providing support for the grass. The only downside is it harbors moisture, which is not ideal for outdoor use and pet yards.
Acrylic-Coated Sand
The acrylic-coated sand infill is suitable for home and outdoor use due to its antimicrobial properties. Unlike other materials, it doesn’t absorb moisture.
Examine The Special Features
Artificial grass manufacturers offer special features to maintain durability, comfort, and safety. Examining these can help you get what suits your needs.
Weatherproof
Weatherproof artificial grass is perfect for various outdoor functions. It’s suitable for locations with harsh climates.
Drainage System
Artificial grass with perforated backing and drainage system is appropriate for home lawns, playgrounds, and other outdoor living spaces. The drainage system prevents flooding and pooling during heavy rain
Antimicrobial Properties
Antimicrobial properties are essential for preventing the spread of diseases. This feature is imperative for public spaces and homes with pets and kids.
Determine Your Budget
You want to maximize your budget when installing the artificial turf. Researching different price ranges in your area is best for managing your expectations.
Artificial grass ranges from USD$5 to USD$20 per square foot, including installation. The prices may be higher or lower depending on your location and the availability of materials and services. The high upfront cost is reasonable as it can last up to 25 years with little maintenance.
Another factor that may affect your budget is the quality of artificial grass. It’s best to contact several artificial turf installers in your area to compare the product specifications with their prices. This way, you can splurge only on premium quality.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide can help you find the artificial grass that suits your needs. Choosing the best type is now easier as you become familiar with these essential details.
