When you envision a yard, you likely think of natural luscious green grass, but, while traditional grass is quite beautiful, it has its pitfalls. Natural grass is extremely high maintenance, requiring routine watering, cutting, and fertilization in order to keep it in tip-top shape. It’s also prone to dying in the colder months, leaving your lawn looking drab.
If you’re looking for a grass alternative that looks and feels just as nice as natural grass, now is a great time to consider synthetic grass. Over the years, the quality of artificial grass has advanced. Gone are the days of artificial grass that looked, felt, and smelled like plastic.
Before purchasing synthetic grass, you’ll want to ensure that you’ve found a product that meets your wants and needs. Keep reading to learn about the various factors you’ll want to consider, ensuring you’re purchasing the best synthetic grass.
Quality
Making the switch to artificial grass is a huge investment, so you only want to purchase the best. One of the first factors you’ll want to consider when buying synthetic grass is quality. The grass you purchase shouldn't look or feel like plastic. Instead, you’ll want to find a product that is soft to the touch.
The type of plastic used to create is the artificial grass is what determines how it will look and feel. When comparing synthetic grass options, look for products that use one of the following materials:
- Polypropylene turf
- Polyamide turf
- Polyethylene yarns
These materials are often found in quality turf that is evenly backed with well-stitched tufts. You'll also find that quality turf offers a consistent color that creates a truly natural look.
Appearance
Decades ago artificial grass looked exactly what the name would imply—fake. Thankfully, over the years, there have been many advances made, allowing for the creation of synthetic grass that looks real! Today you'll find artificial grass in a wide range of tones and hues ranging from olive to jade green. Some even offer natural brown fibers that are found in natural grass.
To find the best grass for your home or business, be sure to order a sample of the product or see it in person. This way you can get a close-up view of what the grass looks like.
You want to choose a color that fits in with the natural grass in your region. For example, if you live in the northern U.S., deeper green/blue-colored grass is most common. If you live in the southern part of the country, you’ll want to look for a more olive-toned product.
The Cost
As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Synthetic grass prices vary, depending on the quality, material, and pile height, and other factors. When choosing the right synthetic grass product for your lawn, you don’t want to choose the cheapest option. Cheap grass looks and feels cheap, and no one wants to be stuck with a yard that looks like plastic!
By choosing quality over price, you can have the peace of mind that you’ve selected a product that not only looks and feels nice but one that will last. This is especially important if you’re using the grass to replace an existing natural grass lawn. You want to find the best-looking synthetic grass.
On the other hand, if you’re using synthetic grass for a putting green or for a small dog-friendly patch in your backyard, you may be able to go lower on the price and quality.
Pile Height
While you may not have to mow artificial grass like a traditional lawn, you’ll want to pay close attention to pile height. This is the length of the grass blades, starting from the backing all the way up to the tip.
Logically, it makes sense to buy synthetic grass that has a taller pile height, which means a more luscious lawn. Yet, longer grass blades are heavy and, over time, they can eventually bend. This can cause your lawn to look flat and patchy.
For a natural-looking lawn that won't go south in a few years, you’ll want to choose a product that offers a pile height between 30-37mm. It's also important to properly maintain the grass, including routine brushing to keep the blades in their proper upright position.
Foot Traffic
Another factor to consider when choosing the right synthetic grass is foot traffic. If you will be putting artificial grass in a high-traffic area, you want to choose a product that's extremely durable. For example, durability is crucial if you own a pet who loves to romp around or if you have children who enjoy playing outdoors.
Putting less durable grass in an area that gets heavy foot traffic is a recipe for disaster. The turf will likely wear very quickly, leaving it looking dingy. Worn grass not only looks bad, chances are you'll need to replace it, which means more money out of your pocket!
Be aware that more durable artificial grass may not feel as luscious and soft, but quality products should still be soft and non-abrasive.
When choosing a durable grass, you want to pay attention to density and weight. Dense turf is more durable, but durability comes with a price tag. If you can't afford high-density turf, the next best option is to choose a lesser density but to use sand infill.
Product Warranty
Even if you’ve done your due diligence in choosing a high-quality and durable artificial grass solution, the fact is that things happen. In the event that your synthetic grass fades, falls apart, or loses its original look and feel, you want to know that your investment is protected.
This is why it’s extremely important to choose a product that offers a warranty. Product warranties vary depending on the brand, but you’ll want to find a warranty that covers your purchase for at least five years.
Having a warranty gives you the peace of mind that in the event something goes wrong, you aren’t wholly responsible for replacement costs.
Choose ForeverLawn Bellevue for the Best Synthetic Grass
Our grass comes with a 10-year warranty, which is the best that you’ll find in the industry. Designed with durability, you can depend on our artificial turf solutions to withstand the toughest of weather conditions.
Don’t go another day without the landscape you’ve always dreamed of. Call our team at 800-915-8873 or contact us online to learn more about our solutions and to discuss your specific needs.