Artificial grass is a staple in landscaping these days. There are many types of artificial grass, and we list them out by materials, color, length, and unique features here.
My front yard is super green and lush, but the backyard is a bit neglected. It’d be awesome to remove all of that outdated grass from the backyard with something better.
Artificial grass is increasingly popular these days as more and more homeowners choose to install it. As it rains out, a lot of lawns are now turning to artificial turf instead of natural grass. This might change once water becomes more and more dangerous on earth due to climate change.
Synthetic grass is the quality play in the market of artificial turf, but it is not without controversy. Some believe that off-gassing from the materials used to make it is toxic to humans and animals. It has not yet been proven one way or another.
Artificial grass has some remarkable benefits. You don’t need to water or mow it. It’s much quieter than a real lawn and requires no effort on your part (and you’ll save time). They also use fewer resources such as water and energy.
If you’re planning to switch from real grass, here’s what you need to know about the many types of artificial grass.
Material of Artificial Grass
Nylon
Nylon artificial grass is the strongest grass that you can buy! Other kinds of grass may get flattened or appear damaged under normal use, whereas nylon products are strong and resilient. Durability together with a long life cycle and a beautiful look make nylon grass a smart choice for sports courts, backyards, playgrounds, and gardens of all types.
Sadly, it’s used quite little for landscaping due to the high cost and stiffness of artificial ground cuts. Its primary usage is as a golf practice green for which many homeowners chose to put in small backyard patches.
Nylon is a common material added to artificial grass as it helps with safety and durability. It is also incredibly strong, providing polyethylene and polypropylene artificial grass ample ways to stand up to whatever weather conditions are thrown at them.
Artificial grass will be mixed with synthetic turf and some other types of artificial grass to create a final product that is comfortable, strong, and great-looking. These three types all have their own strengths for turf purposes so when they are mixed together, the result has all of those qualities plus more.
The texture and stiffness of this grass tends to less natural feeling. The look is amazing for the dramatic appeal; although it may last or remain for a long time, it does not feel great to stand on.
Polyethylene
When homeowners are making landscaping decisions, many of them choose artificial grass polyethylene products over other materials. As well as providing a lush green environment that looks awesome, they generate softer-feeling surfaces too. This kind of synthetic grass is often used for athletic fields as well as lawns.
The durability of the materials and design makes polyethylene turf tough and reliable. It will hold up to a lot of wear without looking worn. Polyethylene grass is just as reliable as nylon but it won’t retain odors the way that real grass can.
This means it can easily replace grass and is perfect for pet owners who aspire to keep their noxious yard smells limited. There’s also less likelihood of diseases growing in the artificial lawn, as all of the waste will naturally blend into the turf pattern and not collect in one spot as much.
Not only is it easy to care for, but this type perfectly resembles natural grass. That’s why many homeowners opt to switch their lawns to artificial polyethylene turf once they’re interested in upgrading the grounds of their home.
There are many different types of polyethylene available for use in artificial grass. Higher end products can hold as true to life as the natural thing–but it’s important to find the option that also holds up well over time. When people simply want to save money, they buy cheap artificial grass–only to be disappointed down the line when it fall apart faster than expected due to a lesser quality material used.
Polypropylene
The least expensive option is not necessarily the best because it won’t hold up as much wear and tear over time. It seems reasonable, yes, but be careful. A homeowner will either need to frequently replace these grass panels or pay someone else to do it for them.
If you want a synthetic lawn that holds up well for years and years, then pick a different, more robust option. Polypropylene wears out extremely quickly because it lacks a durable texture.
The problem with polypropylene grass is that it does not stand up well to heat. If you put it in an area that gets hot, then it will lose its shape. In these conditions, your lawn would look wavy and misshapen.
Polypropylene artificial grass can be used for home putting practice. It is soft and easy to use, but it may not stand up very well in higher or lower temperatures. This option works best if you want green artificial grass indoors or decorational grass that will look great without any special care.
Pile Height of Artificial Grass
Short Grass
Shorter grass works best for specific situations. For example, people who are really conscious about the design either have very short pets or are looking to choose an option that will last longer with less maintenance.
For a dog friendly yard, a short pile of your artificial grass will result in a mat that’s ideal to carpet your dog in as well. It should serve its purpose without giving them a tougher time than their pups deserve.
Medium Grass
Many artificial grass will measure between 30 to 37mm. This ensures a full, natural look without falling over due to too much weight.
Choosing a pile that falls within this range is likely to give you the home of your dreams. But you’ll have to balance between far longer versus shorter, depending on the way you use your home.
To put down artificial grass on a multi-use backyard and play without worry about rubbing or matting the grass, anything between 30 to 37 millimeters is right.
Long Grass
When buying artificial grass, thicker piles aren’t always better. If the pile is over 37 mm (about 1.46 in), the lawn will become heavy and lie flat.
Just having a full lawn with lots of grass on it doesn’t signal your lawn is sustainable. To be considered a truly green on-site lawn, you need to have the texture and density that could never form naturally. A heavy artificial grass will not stand tall or make a particularly great contrast with other yard colors. Ideally, any synthetic lawn should lay down if there’s too much pressure on it.
Use of Artificial Grass
Playgrounds
It’s vital that playgrounds are the safest places young kids can be in order to promote fun and development. One of the best ways this can happen is by installing artificial turf to protect young users from injury.
If you install artificial grass, kids will have safe and durable playgrounds. They are easier to clean after use, they don’t contain the dirt or bacteria from natural turf, and they feature antimicrobial properties that keep children healthy as possible while playing outside.
When it comes to a playground, the ground must be free of any hidden obstacles. Therefore, installing artificial grass on a playground is not only beautiful and quiet but also increases accessibility for those who use wheelchairs or walk with crutches.
Pet Yards
Artificial grass is made for active animals instead of real living grass. Animals can catch debris and mud from the yard when they enter indoors, but pet owners won’t have to clean real lawns when their pets come home all muddy.
Choosing a backyard pet yard turf will reduce the amount of messes in your pet park. This is because it will drain quickly and is non-foul from even heavy rain. It is important to find artificial grass that holds up in extreme weather conditions and can handle accidents by dogs too.
Sport Area
Artificial grass is the safest option for sports fields and arenas. It never gets muddy. This type of grass creates a safer environment for players and is much less likely to cause injuries than real grass.
Artificial grass can also be easily customized. This makes it easy to have the right lines drawn on the grass for your particular sport. By choosing different colors or patterns that are available, it’s easy to represent the local sports team.
No one wants to play on a field that’s full of mud, so why not put in artificial turf? It’s easy on the body and won’t get ruined by weather. Plus, it will make the whole area look much more attractive.
Balcony Surface
If you live in a city apartment, there’s no reason why you can’t have a little grass on your balcony. While it would be impossible to grow real grass on a balcony, artificial grass can easily be installed so that the users can feel a little green under their feet when they are sitting outside.
Artificial grass is easy to install and to maintain. It’s the perfect solution for anyone who wants a little bit of nature in their home but doesn’t have the space to plant a tree.