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How to Spot High-Quality Artificial Grass (Synthetic Turf)?

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Artificial grass, also known as synthetic turf, offers a green, lush look without the need for watering, mowing, or extensive maintenance. But not all artificial grass is created equal. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to spot high-quality artificial grass, helping you make an informed decision for your lawn or outdoor space.

The Look and Feel Test of Artificial Grass

One of the first things to consider when evaluating artificial grass is how it looks and feels. High-quality synthetic turf should closely resemble natural grass.

  1. Color Variation: Top-quality artificial grass often has multiple shades of green, sometimes with brown thatch mixed in. This variation makes it look more natural and less like a carpet.
  2. Blade Shape: Look closely at the grass blades. High-quality artificial grass usually has blades with different shapes and textures, mimicking the variety found in natural lawns.
  3. Softness: Run your hand over the grass. Good quality synthetic turf should feel soft and pleasant to touch, not scratchy or plastic-like.
  4. Bounce-back: Step on the grass and then lift your foot. High-quality artificial grass will spring back up quickly, while lower quality options might stay flat.

Density and Weight of Artificial Grass

The density of the grass fibers plays a crucial role in the overall quality and appearance of artificial grass. Here’s how to assess it:

  1. Fullness: Look at the base of the turf. High-quality artificial grass will have a dense, full appearance with little visible backing.
  2. Weight: Better quality synthetic turf tends to be heavier due to more fibers and a sturdier backing.

Backing and Drainage of Artificial Grass

The backing of artificial grass is like its foundation. It holds the grass fibers in place and allows for proper drainage.

  1. Sturdy Backing: High-quality artificial grass will have a strong, durable backing that doesn’t easily tear or separate.
  2. Drainage Holes: Look for small holes in the backing. These are essential for allowing water to drain through, preventing puddles on your lawn.

UV Protection and Heat Resistance

Good quality synthetic turf should be able to withstand sun exposure and high temperatures. Here’s how to tell:

  1. UV Resistance: Ask about UV protection. High-quality artificial grass is treated to resist fading and maintain its color even in strong sunlight.
  2. Heat Resistance: Touch the grass on a sunny day. Better quality options will feel cooler to the touch compared to lower quality artificial grass.

Durability and Warranty

Investing in artificial grass is a long-term decision. Here’s how to ensure you’re getting a durable artificial grass:

  1. Fiber Material: Look for artificial grass made from high-quality materials like polyethylene or nylon. These tend to be more durable and realistic-looking.
  2. Warranty: Check the warranty offered. High-quality synthetic turf often comes with longer warranties, sometimes up to 10 years or more.

Environmental Considerations

If environmental impact is important to you, look for artificial grass that is:

  1. Lead-Free: Ensure the synthetic turf is certified lead-free.
  2. Recyclable: Some high-quality artificial grass can be recycled at the end of its lifespan.

The Price Factor

While it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, remember that with artificial grass, you often get what you pay for. High-quality synthetic turf might be more expensive upfront, but it usually lasts longer and looks better over time.

A good quality artificial grass can provide years of enjoyment with minimal maintenance, making it a worthwhile investment for many homeowners and businesses. Whether you’re looking to green up a small balcony or cover a large backyard, choosing the right artificial grass can transform your space into a lush, inviting area that looks great all year round.

Can You Install Artificial Turf Directly on the Dirt?

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Keeping a nice green lawn might look easy to some – just some mowing, watering, and fertilizing. But anyone who’s tried it knows better. It’s a never-ending cycle of work. An artificial turf lawn could be the perfect solution – a lush, green grass area with basically no maintenance required once installed properly. But can you really just install artificial turf right over the dirt in your yard? Let’s take a look.

Installing Turf Right on Dirt – The Short Answer

Yes, artificial turf can be installed directly on dirt. But you can’t just roll it out over the existing ground. That would lead to an uneven, bumpy, and weedy mess. For turf to look seamless and perform well over many years, the ground underneath needs some important preparation work first.

Imagine laying out a new area rug over a dirt floor – it would be lumpy, dusty, and shift around constantly. The same applies to turf over unprepared ground. A solid base is crucial under that grass for drainage, stability, and preventing weeds. With the right foundation laid first, turf directly on dirt can provide a perfect, low-maintenance lawn area.

How Experts Install Artificial Turf on Dirt

Installing artificial turf is a multi-step process when going over a dirt surface. But with the right experts, like Discount Landscape, it all becomes easy. Here are the basic steps:

First, we clear out any existing grass, plants, roots, and debris to get down to just the bare dirt. We use a sod cutter or tiller to start from scratch in the area.

Next, we level and compact the dirt ground firmly. For this, we use a lawn roller or plate compactor to flatten and solidify the whole area. This offers a solid foundation on which to build.

With the dirt smooth and compacted, we install a base layer of crushed gravel or rock. About 3-4 inches of this crushed material create a porous yet compact and level base. It allows proper drainage and blocks any new weeds from coming up.

Once the gravel base is in place, we go over it again with a plate compactor to make sure it’s absolutely solid and level. Every bump or dip needs to be flattened out.

At this stage, sometimes we also install an extra weed barrier fabric over the base for added protection against any remaining weeds.

Now we’re ready to unroll the artificial turf over the prepped base. We secure the turf edges, sewing them together and placing a burden on the grass.

Finally, we apply the infill material (usually rubber or sand granules) by spreading it over the turf and brushing it down into the blades. This helps weigh down the grass permanently. Then we give it a final brushing and it’s all set!

Doing it Right Matters

Yes, it’s much more work than putting artificial grass on the ground. But putting in the effort to create a well-draining, solid foundation makes all the difference. An unprepared base leads to issues like poor drainage, wrinkling and bumps in the turf, and weeds eventually growing through.

With the right crushed rock base installed first, the turf winds up smooth, flat, and stable. Drainage works as it should without creating puddles or soft areas. And that solid base blocks any existing weeds and stops new ones from popping up. When done right from the start, a flawless, maintenance-free lawn pays off for over a decade.

Install Turf the Right Way With Discount Landscape

Installing directly on dirt is possible, as long as the tight work is put in beforehand to create that crucial solid base layer underneath. It’s a bit of effort, but 100% worth it to wind up with a flawless, lush new low-maintenance lawn that makes your outdoor space perfect.

At Discount Landscape, we’re experts in smart artificial turf installation. We guide customers through every step of the process, from selecting the perfect turf material to preparing the proper underlayment and base. Our team handles all those crucial preparation and installation details to deliver a final product that looks and performs beautifully.

Ready to transform your yard into an ultra-low-maintenance showpiece? Reach out to Discount Landscape today to install artificial turf

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