There is a growing trend toward artificial grass due to its uniform appearance and low maintenance.
Hence, many homeowners are beginning to use this technology that has been typically used on sports pitches and other heavy-commercial traffic.
Generally – Artificial grass is expected to last 5-20 years, depending on the traffic, maintenance, and quality, among other distinguishing factors.
What is Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass, or Astroturf, is synthetic grass that serves as a replacement for natural grass.
The application of artificial grass has changed over the years; it initially started as a cheaper and low-maintenance option for sports teams to use as opposed to natural grass.
Today, simply city parks, workplaces, and residential homes, Astroturf is installed to beautify the property and provide an appearance of the elegance of natural wild green grass.
Artificial grass is made of a unique formula of polymers, where polyethylene predominates – originating from the same material used in storage bags and within the plastic of bottles.
The thatch consists of nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene, which provides support to the faux grass insuring blade recovery when trampled upon.
Factors Affecting Artificial Grass Lifespan
Here are the factors that determine the longevity of artificial turfs.
Construction
The quality of an artificial turf surfaces relies on their construction, appearance, and construction, and this ultimately impacts longevity.
So here are the two main factors.
- The blades
- And the backing material.
The blades of an artificial grass surface are where all the abuse happens; from walking on them to adverse weather and any other possible issue, the blades experience everything that will compromise their integrity.
Thus, the blade’s quality will help dictate how well they’ll hold up against this abuse, and how long they’ll last.
Typically, increased action equals quicker degradation. Sports fields and other high-activity areas will need to replace their artificial turf more often than a residential lawn would.
The other factor that will degrade the blades of artificial grass is, of course, UV exposure.
Artificial grass wears out faster in areas with a high number of sun hours that endure exposure to cloudy days.
Fortunately, high-quality synthetic grass will include a UV inhibitors woven directly into the turf, and those inhibitors will offer UV protection from solar damage for roughly 15 years.
And don’t forget, artificial turf is essentially a carpet. The backing material holds all the synthetic blades, and the backing material’s quality plays a significant role in how well the blades will hold up under human foot traffic.
Low-quality synthetic turfs typically consist of one layer of backing material.
So, eventually, that flimsy backing material loosens, and the blades start coming out.
On the contrary, high-quality synthetic turfs will contain a denser, thicker type of backing material that will have a double layer of protection that keeps the turf strong for years, even in high traffic applications.
Installation
You might opt for a high-quality artificial grass, only to be let down by the method of installation.
The most common installation mistakes found are weak base material, loose edges and bad drainage.
A weak base will likely lead to the turf sinking in the areas where the base material failed. Water will then accumulate in the sunken areas, causing damage to the turf.
The exact same issue is produced with drainage too. Consider that if there is too much water, the backing material will weaken and fade faster.
On loose edges – the ‘carpet’ would move around freely. If you are on a sports field, this would combined affect the quality of play, as the ground is going to play differently.
At home – you will likely fall walking on the turf. To avoid any of these installation related issues, the best recommendation is to hire an installer.
Intended use
Unlike natural grass, Astroturf does not grow back.
So, if you damage the blades or the backing material it can not be repaired.
So, avoid using shooting cleaning materials on faux grass, and also avoid placing hot items like BBQ grills on the grass.Â
Taking Care of Artificial Grass
While neglecting to water it won’t harm it, you will need to take some preventative measures to preserve your Astroturf.
To help keep your synthetic grass in great condition for an extended life, here are some helpful care tips.
Remove dirt and debris
When leaves, plastic and organic waste accumulate on your lawn they make it look unkempt and shorten the life expectancy of your artificial turf.
Using a leaf blower at least once a week to remove waste and debris is the best choice. Allowing debris to accumulate can result in dents in the turf which affect the outer durability of the turf.
Clean the artificial grass
Not only does this eliminate debris, but it is also good practice to clean your artificial turf on a regular basis.
This will remove dust and other fine particles, after removing leaves, plastic, and other large debris.
A garden hose is the best cleaning implement, however, if you are working in a small area, you can use a bucket of water and a lawn brush.
If you have a large yard, you can use a plastic rake. You just want to avoid metal as it can cut the blades and/or backing material.
Remove stains immediately
It’s nearly impossible to prevent a stain on your artificial grass—but you want to get it cleaned as soon as it happens.
You don’t want to let the ‘carpet’ absorb it when you spill tea, soup, or juice on the turf, or it will leave a permanent stain.
If you have excess liquid, use a cloth to remove it. Once the stain has dried, scrape it off the surface with a knife.
Be sure to use a plastic knife; if you use a metal one, you may cause extra damage.
If the stains are difficult to remove, we recommend hiring a professional cleaner.
Rotate heavy objects
Rotate heavy objects to minimize blade retention across your artificial grass.
For example – Heavy outside furniture can put too much pressure on the surface and flatten the blades.
At times, heavy equipment can increase wear and tear more quickly than if you walked on the surface. The best way to reduce wear is to move the heavy object frequently to different locations.
Also, it is best if you keep walking on the same portion of your yard.
Try walking on different pathways to sustain the appearance of natural grass.
Alternatively, you may purchase an artificial lawn protector. It is expensive but saves you the effort of moving furniture or using alternate routes.
Avoid shiny objects
Did you know reflections cause fast fading?
Do not use shiny objects such as sunglasses and mirrors near your artificial grass.
In some cases, the reflections can be intense enough to melt the polypropylene. Make sure you always keep reflective objects away from the grass.
Keep barbecues and cigarettes away
Artificial turf is a polymer based product.
When hot embers fall onto the blades, they will leave a permanent mark.
The worst case scenario – it’ll leave a huge burn, and ugly patches will form on the surface. Smoking or using cooking equipment on artificial grass should definitiely be avoided.
Wrapping Up
It’s important to take care of your artificial grass.
Like a high-end sofa, it’s fragile and should be maintained properly while ensuring it lasts. When buying your grass, be sure to purchase high-quality grass.
Then, hire a qualified installer to do the job. With proper maintenance, your artificial lawn should keep the house looking good for a minimum of ten years.Â