Artificial turf looks and feels like grass but requires very little maintenance. If you want to enjoy a mud-free, no-mow lifestyle, then choose quality synthetic turf.
Quick-Find Guide:
- How to Recognize Low-Quality Artificial Grass
- Synthetic Grass: Benefits and Features
- Artificial Grass Comparison
It’s simple to tell the difference between good and bad synthetic turf if you know what to look for. Low-quality turf is the result of manufacturing shortcuts, and there are some obvious signs. This guide will help you identify them.
Identifying Low-Quality Synthetic Grass
Start with the Grass:
- Latex or polyurethane is used to lock in the tufts. The grass must be coated with a heavy, thick, and uniform layer. It could be a problem if the grass fibers are visible through the coating. Without enough coating, you will lose fibers, especially if your lawn is heavily used or abused by animals or children.
- If the coating is poor, blades and tufts will fall off easily. You can test the strength of the yarn by pulling a blade from the sample. The stronger the yarn, the more difficult it is to remove. The blade will be weaker if you remove it easily from the side.
Color Stripes:
- The wrong color yarn can sneak into the manufacturing process. The supplier may mix batches with minor variations in color or shade. This results in a stripe of color that is distinct from the others. Once the grass is laid, this will be evident. Quality control often catches this. A supplier that sells grass at a cheaper price or lower quality may stock the product. To avoid this, check the consistency of the color.
Low-Quality Resins:
- Blades of synthetic grass are made from resins. Low-quality artificial grass is made from low-quality resin that can fade or melt over time. No thanks! Check the warranty and ask for case studies, references, and testimonials.
Request a Free Trial to Avoid Buying Poor-Quality Grass
It’s impossible to tell from the look of the artificial grass in the store if it is high quality or not. Ask your supplier to send a sample for you to test.
Artificial Grass Quality Checklist:
Dense Fibers:
- In general, the thicker and wider the yarn, the longer it will last. As in nature, strong grass blades are wide. You can save money by using thin, lightweight fibers and yarns. While these fibers may be softer, they will wear faster and flatten more quickly than thicker, heavier fibers. The fiber width is also a good indicator of the strength of the grass. Check the density of a blade by holding it up to a light. A good blade will not let any light pass through.
- Ask your supplier about the microns, dtex, and weight per square meter. The microns and dtex are a good indicator of durability if they are lower than others.
Backing Cloth:
- The fiber or yarn used to create synthetic grass is tufted into backing fabrics. Different backing fabrics are available, depending on the purpose of the finished product, considering things like durability, stability, and stiffness.
- The lawn will last longer if you use a heavier, higher-quality backing fabric. Using a lighter, lower-quality backing cloth is another way to reduce costs. This can cause the backing fabric to shrink and wrinkle due to its lack of stability.
- You can ask the supplier to confirm what type of fabric and weight they use.
Verify Certifications:
- You should ensure that your synthetic turf is certified if you intend to use it for sports or any other activity that requires constant or repeated play. Choose a supplier that meets the standards of your sport’s international sporting authority.
UV Protection:
- Your turf must come with a UV warranty if you are going to install it in New Zealand or Australia. Due to New Zealand’s high UV exposure, synthetic materials are susceptible to degradation and fading. TigerTurf landscape lawns come with a 10-year guarantee against UV degradation.
This post was written by a professional at Sustainable Turf. Looking for the best playground artificial turf Tampa FL? At Sustainable Turf, we believe in offering sustainable, eco-friendly solutions that benefit both homeowners and the environment. Our artificial grass for playgrounds, homes, and more are designed to provide you with a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn that requires minimal resources to thrive. By choosing our artificial turf, you’ll enjoy a wide range of benefits for years to come. Contact us now for estimate for your sports turf field, residential turf, golf putting turf, and more!
