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Rooftops, Decks & Patios

Artificial Grass Rooftops, Decks, Patios, and Outdoor Living Spaces!

Artificial grass has transformed rooftops, decks, patios, and outdoor living spaces into vibrant, low-maintenance retreats that blend beauty with functionality. It offers a versatile and aesthetically pleasing solution for enhancing outdoor living spaces, including rooftops, decks, patios, and balconies.

With its numerous advantages and creative applications, synthetic turf transforms outdoor areas into functional, low-maintenance retreats that homeowners and businesses can enjoy for years to come. This introduction aims to provide unbiased information about synthetic grass installations in outdoor areas, highlighting their benefits, versatility, and growing popularity among homeowners and businesses alike.

Versatile Applications of Artificial Grass in Outdoor Living Spaces

Roof, Deck & Patio Turf System Components

The graphic below (from SYNLawn) shows the individual components and highlights the important features of artificial grass for roofs, deck and patios. Hover or tap on the “+” symbols to display the text that identifies the individual components. The system represented below is just ONE option for installing synthetic turf on a rooftop, deck, balcony, patio, terrace, etc. Each installation is unique and may require a different setup to suit the needs of the installation.

Roof, Deck & Patio Turf Features

Features to Look for in Artificial Grass for Rooftops, Decks & Patios:

Durability:

Durability is paramount for artificial grass outdoor living spaces, ensuring they withstand the rigors of outdoor environments. High-quality turf products feature robust materials and construction that resist fading, matting, and degradation due to exposure to sunlight, weather, and foot traffic. This ensures that the outdoor space remains attractive and functional for years to come, even with frequent use and exposure to the elements.

Drainage:

Efficient drainage is essential for artificial grass outdoor living spaces to prevent water accumulation and ensure a dry and comfortable surface. Turf products are designed to facilitate drainage but on a rooftop or similar space with an impermeable surface, drainage tiles will help facilitate the movement of water. Drainage systems such as AirDrain, Turf Trays, Drain Core, or Ultra Base Systems are popular options. They elevate the turf and allow water to drain away efficiently.

UV Protection:

UV protection is crucial for artificial grass outdoor living spaces to maintain their color, integrity, and performance in sunny outdoor environments. Premium turf products are infused with UV stabilizers during the manufacturing process, which shield the fibers from the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to sunlight. This prevents fading, discoloration, and degradation of the turf, ensuring that the outdoor space retains its vibrant appearance and structural integrity over time, even in the harshest sunlight conditions.

Aesthetics:

Aesthetics play a significant role in artificial grass outdoor living spaces, enhancing the overall visual appeal and ambiance of the area. High-quality turf products feature lifelike fibers, vibrant colors, and realistic textures that mimic the look and feel of natural grass, creating a lush and inviting atmosphere. Additionally, artificial grass can be customized to complement various outdoor designs and landscaping styles, from modern and contemporary to rustic and tropical, adding beauty and sophistication to any outdoor space.

Infill Options

What's the Best Infill for Rooftops, Decks & Patios?

Infill for Rooftops, Decks & Patios:

For artificial grass rooftops, decks, patios, and outdoor living spaces, acrylic-coated sand infills like Envirofill or T°Cool provide several key benefits. These include keeping the turf fibers upright, facilitating drainage, acting as ballast to anchor the turf in place, and creating a natural feel underfoot.

Infill materials fine granules help support the blades of grass, preventing them from matting or flattening over time. Additionally, infill improves drainage by allowing water to flow through the turf surface and into the underlying substrate, preventing water buildup and promoting a dry and comfortable outdoor space.

Sub-Base Preparation

What Type of Sub-Base Works Best on Rooftops, Decks & Patios?

Drainage Tiles:

Rooftops, decks, patios, and other impermeable surfaces present unique challenges for artificial grass installations, as they don’t require traditional sub-base materials. Instead, specialized installation methods are employed to elevate the turf from the surface and facilitate drainage.

This is achieved using innovative drainage systems such as AirDrain, Turf Trays, Drain Core, or Ultra Base Systems. These systems provide a raised platform for the turf, allowing water to flow freely underneath and promoting efficient drainage. By incorporating these drainage tiles, artificial grass installations on impermeable surfaces can maintain optimal performance, durability, and longevity without the need for a traditional sub-base material.

Benefits of Artificial Grass Rooftops, Decks & Patios

Low Maintenance

Synthetic grass requires minimal upkeep compared to natural grass, making it an ideal choice for busy homeowners and commercial properties. With no need for mowing, watering, or fertilizing, artificial turf offers a hassle-free solution for maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces year-round.

Saves Money

Artificial turf is durable and easy to maintain, making it an ideal option for roof decks, patios, and other high-traffic areas. Best of all, artificial turf requires far less water than traditional grass, which can significantly lower your monthly water bill and the landscaping costs associated with real grass.

Eco-Friendly

Artificial grass is an extremely versatile product that can be used in a number of ways by homeowners to create eco-friendly outdoor living spaces. Artificial grass also helps to reduce water use and carbon emissions, as it does not require watering or mowing. In addition, it does not require the use of chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides.

Enhanced Aesthetics

Artificial grass adds lush greenery and visual appeal to rooftops, decks, and patios, transforming bland outdoor spaces into inviting retreats. With its realistic appearance and vibrant color, synthetic turf creates a welcoming atmosphere for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the outdoors.

Safe for Pets & Kids

Artificial grass is made from durable synthetic fibers that resist staining and fading. In addition, artificial grass is soft to the touch and easy on the feet, making it a comfortable surface for kids to play on. If you're looking for a safe, attractive, and easy-to-care-for landscape material, artificial grass is an excellent option.

Versatility

Artificial grass is highly versatile and can be installed in virtually any outdoor area, including rooftops, decks, patios, and balconies. Its flexible design allows for custom configurations and creative applications, enabling homeowners and businesses to personalize their outdoor spaces according to their unique preferences and needs.

Roof, Deck & Patio Turf Gallery

Click an image to visit that turf company’s listing in the Turf Network’s directory.

InstallArtificial

ForeverLawn

GrassTex

ForeverLawn Bayou

Big Dog Turf

Synthetic Grass Pros

Big Bully Turf - San Diego

Perfect Turf

Goat Turf LLC

Ideal Turf Solutions

Turf Prep

SYNLawn Minnesota

All Season Services LLC

East Coast Synthetic Turf Resources

SYNLawn NY & NJ

TechGrass

Go Green Synthetic Turf

MegaGrass

Smart Turf

Capitol Turf Pros

GTR Turf Inc. USA

ForeverLawn of Tennessee LLC

ForeverLawn Central Kentucky

ForeverLawn Northeast Indiana

Capitol Turf Pros - Maryland

SYNLawn Montana

ForeverLawn Oahu

Southwest Greens of Hawaii

SYNLawn Carolina

Holy City Synthetic Turf LLC

Viking Turf

FYI Landscaping

KAIROS OUTDOOR LIVING

Campbell & Ferrara

ForeverLawn of Ohio

Ideal Turf Fort Worth

ForeverLawn Albuquerque

EternaTurf

Epic Turf & Landscaping

SYNLawn Michigan

FAQs

How much does roof, deck & patio turf cost?

Roof, deck, patio, and outdoor living space turf installation costs vary from project to project. The total cost of your installation will be influenced by the following:

Location
Size or Square Feet of the Project
Amount of Pre-Installation Site Prep Required
Square feet of drainage tiles used
Turf Product Chosen
Type & Amount of Infill

Installation Extras:

Linear feet of bender board used [if used]
Any special requests

To learn more about artificial grass installation costs, check out the following resources:

How do I maintain artificial grass outdoor living spaces?

Maintaining an artificial grass outdoor living space is pretty simple and straightforward. Artificial turf maintenance consists primarily of the following:

Removing leaves and debris
Remove weeds, if any. Weeds typically sprout on top of artificial turf after falling from a tree, settling in the turf, and sprouting so removal is quite simple.
Rinse with a hose from time to time. This will remove any dust or pollen particles and rinse away any smaller debris.

For Dog and Pet Owners:

Rinse areas where dogs or pets urinate with the hose regularly to prevent the buildup of odors or bacteria.
Remove solid waste with a doggy bag or paper towel
Use an artificial turf deodorizer like TurFresh or OxyTurf.
DO NOT use bleach or other harsh chemicals to clean your artificial grass! Soap and water should suffice for most situations. You can also use a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar. Using the correct cleaning agents and tools, will help to ensure that your artificial grass lasts its intended lifespan.

Is artificial grass safe for kids & pets to play on?

YES! Artificial grass is extremely popular on school playgrounds, daycares, vets, dog parks, training facilities, and kennels, as well as by homeowners throughout the U.S. with both children and pets. Unlike natural grass, artificial grass is hypoallergenic and doesn’t require the use of chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Your children and pets are safer playing on artificial grass than on natural grass, which often houses bugs, pests, and insects. One of the biggest advantages of artificial grass for parents or pet owners is the elimination of muddy footprints and paw prints!

How long does synthetic turf take to install?

Most residential roof, deck & patio turf installations take 1 – 2 days, depending on the size of the project. Larger projects that require a lot of preparation can take 3 – 4 days.

What is artificial grass made of?

Artificial grass is manufactured using Polypropylene, Polyethylene and Nylon. These are turned into a yarn that is tufted into the turf backing to create the turf fibers. Yarn comes in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and shapes to mimic specific species of grass.

Polyethylene – Most common material because of its versatility and balance between durability, aesthetics, and softness.

Polypropylene – Typically as the thatch layer on landscape grasses and for putting greens.

Nylon – Most expensive and durable yarn material, but it’s not soft and is most commonly used for putting greens.

How long does artificial grass last?

If you’re properly maintaining your artificial grass, it should last anywhere from 15 to 25 years.

How hot does artificial grass get during summer months?

Sitting in direct sunlight for long periods of time, artificial grass will get hot. It doesn’t trap and retain heat like asphalt or concrete, but after several hours in the sun it will heat up. This normally isn’t an issue, unless you plan to walk barefoot on the faux grass, or if you have a dog that wants to go outside, and you’re worried it might be uncomfortable for its paws. You can quickly and easy cool the turf down by simply spraying it with a hose.

Another option, is to have your turf installer apply T°Cool® Infill when your turf is installed. T°Cool® infill works on the same principles as human perspiration. The T°Cool® Technology captures water from rainfall, dew, or irrigation and stores it for later use. As the sun’s radiation heats up turf, T°Cool releases moisture, keeping the surface cool through the natural process of evaporative cooling for up to four days from a single moisture event. T°Cool provides 30°F to 50°F lower surface temperatures compared to untreated turf.

What is infill and why do I need it?

Infill refers to the material that’s spread over the turf during the installation process. Infill comes in many different forms, but they’re all essentially sand which is placed in between the fibers of artificial grass. It helps the grass blades stand up and return to an upright position after being walked on.

Infill serves a few purposes in an artificial grass installation such as:

Acts as a ballast and weighs down the turf
Keeps individual turf fibers upright and prevents matting
Some infill options like T°Cool® Infill help cool the turf through the process of evaporative cooling
The T°Cool® Infill mentioned above and Envirofill both offer antimicrobial protection that helps prevent the buildup of odors and bacteria from dog urine