Artificial grass is what you commonly see used to create the fields in arenas where sporting events are held. You will often hear artificial grass referred to as artificial turf. These are synthetic fibers that are make do look just like natural grass. This fake grass comes in many different sizes, colors, and materials, which can be used for residential lawns and other commercial applications.
Artificial Turf Materials
Three common types of materials used in the manufacturing of artificial grass are nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene. These types of materials offer different levels of durable quality for a lawn or commercial installation. Using a combination of two types of materials for artificial turf is called a hybrid grass.
- Nylon Artificial Grass. It is the most expensive type of artificial grass but is also the most durable. Due to the cost, most artificial turf installations that use nylon use it as a secondary material to strengthen the primary one.
- Polypropylene Artificial Grass. It is a cheaper material used for making artificial grass. It is made of a finer texture, which makes it look more like grass. However, this material is also the least durable.
- Polyethylene Artificial Grass. It is more expensive than polypropylene but provides the most natural look when installing artificial grass. It also offers more durability. This material is often paired with a secondary thatch made of nylon, which gets used in by a lot of homeowners and for landscaping purposes.
Different Types of Artificial Grass Characteristics
Grass with different characteristics is used for different things. Artificial grass can be manipulated to meet the needs of the person requesting it. There are various factors, such as pile, underlayment, infill, and grass shape, that determine the style.
Artificial grass pile height
The height of the pile used in the installation of artificial grass is determined by who is using it. For athletic arenas, the standard pile is two to three inches in height. For homeowners with dogs looking to replace their natural grass, the pile height only needs to be one to one and a quarter inches tall.
Underlayment Sturdiness
The underlayment of artificial grass depends on where it is being installed. Common types of underlay include recycled rubber, sand, crushed stones, and other fine combinations of the materials. The rubber underlay is called crumb rubber, which is more commonly used for installation. Properly maintained, the underlay can keep artificial grass healthy for 20 or more years.
It should be noted that soil is not a sufficient underlay material. Soil expands when it is wet and contracts when it dries, causing artificial grass to pucker or dimple, causing the durability to suffer.
Artificial grass shapes
W-shaped blades diffuse sunlight, meaning that they will not retain the same amount of solar heat as other types of turf. These blade shapes are less likely to overheat in the summer.
C-shaped blades are the most commonly used type of artificial grass. This blade shape is one of the most durable, but the downside is that they don’t always feel as soft as other shapes. Even after heavy usage, C-shaped blades won’t become matted under heavy usage.
U-shaped blades are designed to be the most durable type of artificial grass. This blade shape is also considered the most versatile of all blade shapes.
Artificial turf colors
If you have ever wondered about the end fields of the Indianapolis Colts and the blue and white colors on their stadium’s field, that is the use of colored artificial turf, also called AstroTurf. Even though residential use of colored turf is available, you will find it more often in the sports arenas depicting the team colors.
Types of Artificial Grass for Pets
As a general rule, most of the artificial grass that is installed in residential areas are considered pet-friendly. Most artificial grass can withstand the toll it may take from a dog’s digging or the feces or urine from an animal. The irrigation system of an artificial grass installation is designed to keep the grass clean and fresh.
The one exception you need to be aware of when choosing artificial grass is the older types that may have lead in them. These can pose a threat to your pets and even your family. Make sure when choosing your artificial grass, you choose to go with a lead-free and non-toxic style.
Choosing Artificial Grass for Residential and Commercial Use
Artificial grass is used in many different capacities, residential and commercial installation. Sports teams use these most often for their stadiums or arenas. Homeowners like to replace their living yards with artificial grass because it is easier to maintain and stays green. When looking for an effective solution to help reduce pests and lawn maintenance, artificial grass is the best solution for commercial and residential areas.
