Artificial Turf 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Synthetic Grass

In the quest for a lush, vibrant lawn that requires minimal maintenance, homeowners are increasingly turning to a game-changing solution – artificial grass. This innovative alternative to natural turf offers a host of benefits that make it a compelling choice for homeowners seeking a hassle-free, beautiful outdoor space.

We’ve put together this guide to provide a broad overview of artificial grass. From understanding the most important components and features to applications and maintenance practices and more. Say goodbye to the days of arduous lawn care and welcome a future of green, pristine lawns with open arms.

1. Understanding Artificial Turf

What is Artificial Turf (a.k.a. Artificial Grass, Synthetic Turf, Fake Grass)?

Artificial grass, also known as synthetic turf or fake grass, is a meticulously engineered surface that closely replicates the look and feel of natural grass. This innovative approach to landscaping eliminates the unpredictable growth of natural grass, providing a consistently picturesque yard. To achieve this, it’s comprised of several key components:

Fibers

The foundation of artificial grass lies in its synthetic fibers. These fibers are designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use while maintaining a lifelike appearance. Yarn comes in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and blade shapes to mimic specific species of grass. Turf fibers or yarn are manufactured using one of the following materials: polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. 

Polyethylene

Polyethylene is the most popular yarn material because of its versatility. It also offers an ideal balance between durability, softness, and aesthetics. It’s the most realistic-looking grass available and behaves the most like real grass. Polyethylene is extremely resistant to water absorption, meaning it does not keep pet odors. If you are concerned about odors, this is the material you should choose. It’s softer than nylon but more durable than polypropylene, making it a good middle ground suitable for a variety of applications.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is less durable and less expensive than the other two materials. When used in the blades of grass, polypropylene is the thinnest and the softest of the three materials. It has a relatively high melting point (320°-331° F), and it is most commonly used as a thatch layer.

Nylon

Nylon is the most expensive and durable yarn material. Its most important qualities are its strength, resilience, and heat resistance. It is best used in high-traffic areas or sports where tackling and sliding are not common. Good uses of nylon artificial grass include commercial applications like rooftop decks, as well as home applications like backyard putting greens.

Thatch: 

Beneath the surface, artificial grass often includes a thatch layer. Thatch consists of shorter, densely woven fibers that mimic the layer of dead grass and organic matter found in natural lawns. The thatch fibers come in varying colors, weights, and textures that add volume and depth to the product. A thatch layer provides the natural look and feel of a real lawn and adds an additional layer of cushion for shock absorption. If you’re looking for a synthetic grass product for your front or back lawn, a product with thatch will get you the closest look to the real thing.

In addition to providing a realistic texture to turf, thatch also plays a role in the density of the turf. This is because thatch is included in face weight. In general: products without thatch are much denser at the top of the pile. Products with thatch have a more balanced density from top to bottom.

Backing: 

The backing of artificial grass serves as its foundation, providing stability and support. It is typically made of materials like latex, polyurethane, or a combination of both. The backing holds the fibers in place and allows for secure installation.

The backing on synthetic grass has two parts: primary and secondary backing. Both the primary and secondary backings work together to provide dimensional stability to the entire system. The primary backing is comprised of woven polypropylene fabrics that allow the artificial grass fibers to be tufted into the material in rows and facilitate seaming between artificial grass panels.

In other words, it’s the durable material that the grass blades/fibers are stitched to. The secondary backing is often referred to as the ‘coating’ and is applied to the reverse side of the primary backing in order to permanently lock the tufted fibers in place. Together, the primary and secondary backing make up the “back weight.”

Infill:

Infill materials, such as silica sand or crumb rubber, are often added to artificial grass to enhance its performance. Infill improves stability, provides cushioning, and helps maintain the upright position of the fibers. Additionally, infill materials can contribute to efficient drainage and reduce odors, especially in pet-friendly environments.

The most common infill material used is silica sand, which is spread over the turf and then brushed until it settles between the turf fibers. The infill helps keep the individual turf fibers upright and acts as ballast to prevent the turf from shifting.

Additionally, the infill provides a more realistic feel to the turf when you walk on it, as well as protecting the backing from sun damage. As the turf industry has grown, the number of infill materials has increased with some brands offering antimicrobial, anti-odor, or cooling properties. Different infill materials are best suited to different applications, so consult with your installer about what type of infill you should use.

Important Terminology

Above you learned several important terms that you’ll hear quite a bit when discussing artificial grass like fiber, thatch, infill, and backing. Those are individual components that comprise an artificial grass system. Each component can be manufactured to look a certain way or perform a specific function. Below we’ll outline some of the other terms you’ll encounter that are used to describe different artificial grass features.

Pile Height

The pile height of synthetic turf refers to the height of the blades and how tall the artificial grass is. For an artificial sports field, outdoor dog run, or other high-traffic areas, a lower pile height of 3/8 to 5/8 inches is recommended. This will provide a more durable surface that still suits a variety of needs. For lawns, balconies, patios, and rooftops, a taller pile height of 1 ¼ to 2 ½ inches offers a luxurious and true-to-life feel.

Face Weight

The face weight of fake grass refers to the weight of the synthetic turf blades per square yard. This is typically calculated in ounces and will exclude the weight of the turf’s backing. Tall and dense turf materials will naturally weigh more and are often considered to be of higher quality. However, that is not always the case. Depending on your intended