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Artificial Grass
What is Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass, also known as artificial turf, is a remarkable innovation designed to replicate the look and function of real grass. The history of artificial grass begins in the mid-20th century. Initially introduced as “Astroturf” in the mid-1960s at the Houston Astrodome, it has since evolved significantly.
Gone are the days of unattractive plastic ground covers limited to a handful of stadiums. Today’s artificial grass is a marvel of engineering. Crafted from synthetic materials, it offers an ideal solution for areas where natural grass struggles to thrive, whether due to scorching climates or unforgiving terrains.
The manufacturing process of modern artificial turf meticulously captures the essence of natural grass, mirroring its textures and hues with utmost precision. As a result, synthetic grass has surged in popularity, finding its place in both residential and commercial settings. Its affordability, low maintenance requirements, water conservation benefits, and eco-friendliness have transformed it into a coveted choice for countless homes and businesses across the globe.
Artificial Grass System Components
Artificial grass is not just the fibers visible on the surface. In order for fake grass to function properly in the different climates and applications its installed for, it relies on each of the individual components of an artificial turf system to function properly. The fibers visible on the surface are the proverbial “tip of the iceberg,” with the other components typically extending several inches beneath the surface.
With its ability to thrive in challenging conditions like hot climates and unforgiving surfaces, artificial grass has become a beloved alternative to natural grass for countless homes and businesses. Below, you’ll find tabs containing a brief preview of the components found on most artificial turf installations.
Turf Fibers
- Polypropylene (cheapest & least durable)
- Polyethylene (most popular fiber materal)
- Nylon (most durable & expensive)
Thatch Fibers
- Made With Polypropylene
- Gives Turf Natural Look
- Helps Support Turf Fibers
Infill
Infill refers to the very small granular material (typically sand) that’s spread over the turf during the installation. Infill acts as ballast, keeps turf in place, protects the backing from UV damage, keeps fibers upright, and mimics the sensation of walking on natural grass.
- Placed between artificial grass fibers
- Keeps grass blades upright
- Shields backing from UV rays
- Facilitates drainage of water & pet urine
Backing
- Secures fibers in place
- Facilitates drainage of water & dog urine
- Keeps turf in place once installed
Sub-Base Material
The sub-base consists of porous materials that provide a solid foundation for artificial turf and allow water and pet urine to drain through the sub-base and into the soil below.
Popular base materials are:
- 3 – 4" of class II road base for regular turf installations
- Decomposed granite for pet-friendly turf applications
- Crushed Miscellaneous Base (CMB) & Crushed Aggregate Base (CAB)
What are the Benefits of Artificial Grass?
Aesthetics
Artificial grass offers a consistently lush and vibrant appearance that enhances the beauty of your outdoor space, maintaining its aesthetic appeal throughout the year.
Low Maintenance
Artificial grass saves you from the arduous tasks of mowing, weeding, and fertilizing, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a low-maintenance lawn.
Eco-Friendly
Artificial grass reduces the need for chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides and gas-powered landscaping equipment, helping to reduce your overall carbon footprint.
Kid-Friendly
Artificial grass provides a safe and comfortable surface for children to play on, without the worry of mud, allergies, grass stains, or tripping hazards.
Save Time
The low maintenance requirements mean you’ll have more time to spend relaxing or hanging out with family, friends, or whatever you’d like… the time is yours!
Pet-Friendly
Pet-friendly synthetic turf provides a durable, long-lasting ground cover that dogs can’t dig through. It also eliminates the brown dog urine spots found on natural grass lawns.
Water-Friendly
By eliminating the need for regular watering, artificial grass is an excellent choice for water conservation, especially in regions facing drought and water scarcity.
Superior Drainage
Artificial grass features superior drainage systems that facilitate efficient removal of water, ensuring a dry and usable outdoor space even after heavy rainfall.
Cost Effective
Despite the initial installation cost, artificial grass proves cost-effective over time, thanks to the elimination of ongoing maintenance expenses associated with natural grass.
Long-Lasting
Built to withstand heavy use and the elements, artificial grass boasts a long lifespan of 15 to 20+ years, ensuring that your investment endures for years to come.
Save Money
The low maintenance requirements and reduced reliance on lawn care equipment save you both time and money, offering convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Hypoallergenic
Artificial grass is hypoallergenic, making it an allergy-friendly option that reduces exposure to pollen and other allergens, promoting a healthier outdoor environment.
Materials Used to Manufacture Artificial Grass
The quality of the materials used to manufacture synthetic grass plays a significant role in how well it ultimately performs. The first-generation artificial grass was made from synthetic fibers similar to those used to make carpets.
Using these materials rendered the turf that characteristic plastic look and feel that brought along its own set of challenges. It quickly became apparent that turf manufacturers had to find better materials to use in the production of synthetic grass. The plastic-looking turf products of the past don’t even come close to the true-to-life beauty of modern turf products.
Today’s artificial grass is lush and softer and is manufactured from the following materials; polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Here’s a more detailed look at each type of material and what they offer.
This is the least expensive of the three materials used in manufacturing artificial grass. While it may be budget-friendly, polypropylene isn’t very durable and has a very low melting point. Polypropylene is a good material for the “Thatch” layer of artificial grass.
Most quality artificial grass products have “Fibers” that are made out of polyethylene. While more expensive than polypropylene, polyethylene provides a much more natural and realistic artificial grass that’s softer and more durable. Artificial grass that’s made of polyethylene is perfect for a variety of applications.
Nylon is the most expensive of the three materials used in artificial grass, but it’s also the most durable. Nylon artificial grass is perfect for high-traffic areas or applications where durability is key, such as on sports fields, bocce ball courts, backyard putting greens and commercial landscapes.
How Artificial Turf is Made
Today, the engineering and manufacturing of artificial grass have come a long way. The latest artificial turfs are manufactured with high-quality materials that are often enhanced with innovative features like UV protection, efficient drainage, unique blade shapes, extended lifespan, antimicrobial protection, and more. Softer, less abrasive, and very similar to real, natural grass, modern artificial turf products are suitable for varied applications, both, big and small. The grass portion of the artificial lawn is made using tufting techniques similar to that used in the production of carpets. Without getting buried in details, here are some of the steps of the manufacturing process:
Step-By-Step Artificial Grass Manufacturing Process
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First, all the ingredients that go into the making of the grass blades are fed into a hopper.
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To this, the dyes which impart the “green grass” coloring and chemicals that make the grass UV resistant and protect it from the sun’s rays are added.
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The batch is then thoroughly mixed and then fed into a steel mixer, where the mixture is blended and turned into a thick liquid that has a taffy-like consistency.
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This thick liquid is then passed through an extruder and long, thin strands are produced.
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The thin strands are then placed on a carding machine and spun producing loose rope. The ropes are then pulled and straightened. Then they are woven into yarn, which is then coiled on large spools.
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Next, the yarn is heated to form the twisted shape.
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The yarn is then taken to the tufting machine and placed on a bar with a reel located behind the tufting machine.
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The yarn is fed via a tube to the tufting needle, which pierces the turf backing and pushes the yarn into the backing in a loop. A flat hook or a looper holds and releases the nylon loop while the needle moves back and the backing is shifted forward. The process is repeated until the entire backing is covered with the rows of stitches. The artificial grass carpet is now ready.
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The artificial grass carpet is then rolled and a coating of latex is spread on the underside of the carpet. A secondary backing made of a stronger material is also coated with the latex and both the grass carpet and the backing are then rolled into a roller that presses and seals the two together.
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The latex is then cured by placing the artificial lawn under heat lamps.
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The grass carpet is then fed through a machine that cuts off any extra lengths of grass.
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The carpet is finally rolled into lengths and sent for packaging, from where it is shipped to the seller.
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