Artificial Grass FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Artificial Grass and Synthetic Turf
Below is a list of the common questions we hear from local home owners and property owners in the East Bay area. If your question is not below, please contact us today and feel free to ask any questions you may have about artificial grass installations or synthetic turf.
Why does artificial grass look fake?
- Take a look at our options for Artificial Grass and Synthetic Turf: Artificial Grass
Some kinds of artificial grass, especially older installations of artificial grass, often look fake because they were made from a single-color plasticized fabric with grain that went in one direction and artificial grass “stalks” that were all cut to exactly the same length. This made the grass look shiny and plastic. Real lawns don’t look that way. Lawnmowers don’t cut the grass all to exactly the same height, the edges aren’t neatly cut off but instead often look a little bit ragged, even when the lawn is all the same variety of grass the shades of green are always a little bit different from one stalk to another, and grass definitely does not have a woven fabric grain.
At Artificial Grass and Turf, we have been able to fix all of these problems through careful craftsmanship. If you look closely at our artificial grass, you will see that the blades of grass are slightly different lengths, the colors are not all the same, and the texture of each blade looks much more like the texture of real grass. When you look at our artificial grass from far away, you will see that it does not look plastic, shiny, or flat like a pool table. It looks real and alive.
Different Types of Artificial Grass
When we install your artificial grass, we will also look at the lay of your land and suggest contouring or crowns if we think it will help make your lawn look more natural.
What maintenance does artificial grass need?
Artificial grass is very simple. You may need to sweep it off or squirt it down with a hose if it gets dusty, and you can blow leaves off it with a leaf blower. You will want to give it a rinse when pets “do their business” on it. And in high traffic areas you may want to ruffle up the grass blades again to keep them from lying down flat. That’s it!
Now compare that with what a natural lawn requires: watering, mowing, fertilizing, spraying with pesticides, edging, aerating the soil, and worrying when grubs start giving you dead patches in your lawn. You will get your weekends back with artificial grass from Artificial Grass and Turf!
What turf is best for my needs?
You’ll just have to contact us to find out! We have turf that can withstand use in school playgrounds and dog kennels, and turf that is perfect for a couple with no children, no pets, and an apartment patio. We will recommend the best turf for your individual needs, so give us a call or fill out our contact form!
What is face weight?
Face weight is simply how much fiber there is in the lawn, not counting the backing and the infill. The greater the face weight, the thicker your lawn is.
What is infill?
Infill is the synthetic soil that we put in between the artificial grass fibers. This contributes to the springiness of the turf. We use Durafill, which is a non-toxic and non-absorbent infill, while some other manufacturers use alternatives such as silica and rubber. Infill is what makes artificial turf safe for playground use by providing a rubber-like base.
How long will my artificial lawn last?
We offer a 15-year manufacturer’s warranty here at Artificial Grass and Turf. Depending on how heavily or how gently you use your yard, you may easily be able to get well over 15 years of use before you need to replace your artificial lawn.
How do your artificial lawns drain?
Our artificial grass has perforations on the back to allow for drainage, as well as a free-draining base as part of the installation process. This means that our lawns can drain even faster than regular grass. They can handle up to 40 inches of water per hour.
Is your synthetic grass good for pets?
Yep! Our synthetic grass is soft and lifelike, so pets love the texture. It is hypoallergenic so it even works for animals that have grass allergies. It drains well and is easy to clean, thus making it easy to remove disease-causing pathogens. Just pick up solid waste like you would on the sidewalk, and rinse liquid waste off with the hose.
Is your synthetic grass safe?
Yes. Our artificial grass is made of 100% polyethylene, which is the kind of plastic that is used in milk cartons. It is completely lead-free and free of any other dangerous chemicals. Our grass is antibacterial and non-abrasive so you do not need to worry about little knees getting scraped up on it. And the grass is 100% recyclable, so when it is at the end of its lifespan it won’t clog up a landfill.
Does an artificial lawn get hot?
Our synthetic grass is designed to act the same way that natural grass does, so in most conditions it will not be any hotter than a regular lawn. Natural grass does have transpiration, so on an extremely hot day in the full sun it may be a bit hotter than natural grass. But a quick spray of water will cool it down to comfortable playing temperatures again.
How long will it take to install?
We can get most installations done in a day. Don’t worry, we won’t sacrifice quality for speed; we just know that nobody likes having their yard torn up so we try to get it done as quickly as possible.
How much will my lawn cost?
Artificial grass is priced by the square foot. The thicker and plusher the grass, the higher the price. The up-front investment is higher than for sod, but it quickly pays for itself in terms of maintenance savings. Give Artificial Grass and Turf a call today for a free estimate!