Five Things to Know about Synthetic Turf

While a few homeowners find their Zen moments mowing the lawn, plenty of others complain frequently about the monotony of feeding, watering and mowing their grass to keep it healthy and green.

Artificial grass is a synthetic grass alternative made from durable fibers like nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene. Most artificial grass is built to withstand the outdoor elements. It’s heat-resistant, frost-resistant, and UV stable (meaning it won’t fade in the sun).

A swath of grass in the front, side or back of a home is still desirable for many homeowners, but others worry about the impact of lawns on the environment. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), lawns consume nearly three trillion gallons of water a year, 200 million gallons of gas for gas-powered mowers and 70 million pounds of pesticides.

Here are 5 things you need to know about it:

Synthetic lawns are easy to maintain. Unlike traditional grass lawns, artificial turf is virtually maintenance-free. Homeowners can save significantly on annual lawn care services such as fertilizer, mowing, chemical treatments, raking, edging, water, weeding, etc. To keep an artificial lawn in pristine and healthy condition, homeowners are encouraged to rake leaves and debris during the spring and fall months. Artificial grass also always looks lush, cool and inviting, no matter the weather.

Fake grass can be better than the real thing for the planet. Artificial grass has numerous environmental benefits. Water conservation, decreasing carbon emissions and eliminating the need for toxic pesticides and fertilizers, which are harmful to humans and animals as well as the environment, top the list. We’ve also seen an increase in climate-driven megadroughts in many parts of the country in recent years. One thousand feet of synthetic grass can save homeowners tens of thousands of gallons of water each year. Artificial grass also greatly reduces landfill needs as grass clippings are the third largest component of landfills, according to the EPA.

It is easy to clean. To keep artificial turf clean and beautiful, you should rinse it off regularly to remove dirt and dust. Raking takes care of leaves and other debris, and can also keep the blades upright and natural-looking by “blooming” the turf. For larger messes like pet waste, pick up the mess, then hose down the area and let the water drain. You can also apply a turf deodorizer if needed.

Synthetic grass has a long lifespan. Most artificial grass comes with a 10-year manufacturer warranty and has a life expectancy of approximately 20 to 25 years, depending on use.

Artificial Grass is Safe. Artificial grass is non-toxic, made from pet-friendly, kid-friendly nylon or plastic materials. In the past, there have been concerns about the crumb rubber infill used with turf for sports fields, but extensive testing has shown that the recycled rubber is not a carcinogen. Plus, you don’t even have to use crumb rubber in the first place! You have a ton of options that we’ll talk more about below, so stay tuned.

What do you wait to incorporate Synthetic Turf in your home!

Via (Washington Post)