How To Choose The Best Artificial Grass For Your Space: A Complete Synthetic Turf Buyer’s Guide

Artificial grass has witnessed a remarkable rise in popularity in recent years. As homeowners and businesses seek low-maintenance and environmentally friendly landscaping solutions, synthetic turf has emerged as an attractive option. According to recent industry reports, the artificial grass market (estimated at USD $76.6 billion in 2022) is projected to reach $114.3 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023 to 2028. This data reflects the increasing demand for artificial grass, which has grown significantly due to its myriad advantages. From reduced maintenance to water conservation and year-round greenery, it has become a preferred ground cover for many. 

But, with various options available in the market, selecting the perfect artificial grass for your specific needs is crucial. Whether you plan on a DIY installation or working with a professional turf installer, choosing the right artificial grass for your space is essential. In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we will delve into the intricate details of choosing the best artificial grass for your space. With the right knowledge and considerations, you can transform your outdoor area into a lush, green oasis that requires minimal upkeep.

Assessing Your Needs & The Importance of Choosing the Right Artificial Grass

Before you embark on your artificial grass journey, it’s essential to assess your unique requirements. Whether you’re looking to create a picturesque lawn, a pet-friendly play area, or an inviting commercial space, choosing the right turf is paramount to achieving your desired results.

In this buyer’s guide, we will break down the complex world of artificial grass. We’ll explore key terminology and factors to consider and provide practical tips for selecting the best synthetic turf. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision and enjoy the benefits of artificial grass tailored to your space.

Understanding Artificial Grass

To choose the best artificial grass, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of its components and characteristics. Let’s start by defining what artificial grass is and then delve into important turf terminology.

What is Artificial Grass?

Artificial grass is a man-made surface of synthetic fibers designed to replicate the look and feel of natural grass. It’s also commonly referred to as turf, synthetic turf, artificial turf, fake grass, faux turf, manufactured grass, synthetic lawn, and astroturf to name a few. This novel ground cover offers consumers a lush, green, aesthetically pleasing lawn without the need for constant mowing, watering, or fertilizing. First introduced in 1965 in the Houston Astrodome, the first generation of artificial grass looked more like a cheap plastic rug. Since then advancements in the materials, manufacturing technology, and processes have transformed the industry.

Modern artificial grass, also known as “Third Generation” turf is pretty much indistinguishable from natural grass. The true-to-life look at feel of synthetic grass has led to rapid industry expansion and consumer adoption. That said, not all artificial grass is created equal, nor is every turf product universally applicable to every residential and commercial application.

Manufacturers of synthetic grass incorporate specific features, materials, and enhancements to suit specific applications. There is no one-size-fits-all turf product that will perform equally well in any environment. The “Best Artificial Grass” is impossible to identify because it’s situationally dependent. So, instead of pointing to a single turf product and saying “This is the best,” we prefer to help you understand the features and components of artificial grass and their relevance and importance to different applications.

Important Turf Terminology

In order for this post to make sense and not sound like a bunch of technical artificial turf jargon, it’s important to identify and define certain terms. There is a lot of terminology specific to artificial grass and familiarizing yourself with it now will help significantly when researching turf products. Understanding artificial grass terminology will help you interpret product specifications and find the best artificial grass for your project. 

By taking the time to learn and understand these elements, you’ll be speaking the same language as your artificial turf supplier or installer. You’ll be able to hold up spec sheets for two different turf products and know exactly what everything means, better equipping you to compare and contrast the features. Below, we’ll provide an overview of the specific terminology you’ll encounter on product spec sheets to ensure that you know exactly what certain features are and why they’re important. 

Yarn/Turf Fibers

Yarn refers to the individual strands that make up the grass blades or turf fibers. The yarn is manufactured by melting down pellets of plastics like polypropylene, polyethylene, or nylon. Once melted, the yarn is extruded and placed on spools. 

The process of extruding plastics is kind of like squeezing play-dough through different shapes. This enables manufacturers to create fibers in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and shapes. Each blade shape serves a different purpose and determines how the turf will perform in different situations. Variations in the fibers mimic natural grass and enhance the functionality of synthetic grass. Below is a brief overview of the materials used to create the yarn or fibers on artificial grass.

Polypropylene

The least expensive of the three materials, polypropylene doesn’t make for very durable turf products. Polypropylene is the thinnest and the softest of the three materials, although it does have a relatively high melting point of 320° to 331° F. Being soft and flexible doesn’t make for the best turf fibers, however, it does work well to create the “Thatch” layer found on most turf products.

Polyethylene

Polyethylene is an extremely popular choice for yarn material because of its amazing versatility. Not only does it offer the perfect balance between durability, softness, and aesthetics, but it also gives you very realistic-looking synthetic grass. The melting point for average low-density polyethylene is typically 221° to 239°F.

Highly resistant to water absorption, polyethylene won’t hold on to unpleasant pet odors. So, if you have furry friends at home and you’re worried about any unwanted smells, this is definitely the material for you to choose! Softer than nylon, yet more durable than polypropylene, it’s the perfect middle ground that suits a wide range of applications. 

Nylon

Nylon, the priciest and toughest yarn material out there, boasts a remarkable set of qualities. Its unrivaled strength, resilience, and ability to withstand heat make it a top choice. The meltin point of nylon varies by grade, but the most commonly used grade, “Nylon 6” has a melting temperature of 428°F. This makes it well-suited for high-traffic areas or sports that don’t involve tackling and sliding. Whether you’re looking to enhance the aesthetics of your rooftop deck or create a backyard putting green, nylon artificial grass is an excellent choice for both commercial and residential applications.

Thatch

Thatch is a layer of fibers that sit between the grass blades and the backing of your artificial lawn. It’s like adding a touch of nature’s imperfections to make your turf even more lifelike. When it comes to thatch, it’s all about the details. This additional fiber adds variation in color, weight, and texture, perfectly mimicking the natural inconsistencies of real grass. You’ll find short, curly fibers in various shades of green and brown incorporated into the thatch, emulating the dying under-layer of grass beneath the vibrant green growing one.

Thatch isn’t just about appearances, though. It also has an important role in the density of your turf. You see, thatch is included in the face weight of the artificial grass product. Products without thatch tend to be more dense at the top of the pile, while those with thatch offer a more balanced density from top to bottom.

So, if you’re on the hunt for a synthetic grass that gives you the closest look and feel to the real thing, make sure it has thatch. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!

Blade Shape

The shape of the grass blades or fiber shapes varies quite a bit. The extrusion process is kind of like squeezing play-dough through different shapes. Synthetic grass blades are shaped in a similar process. Each blade shape serves a different purpose and determines how the turf will perform in different situations.

Density

The density of a turf product refers to the number of yarn fibers or blades per square inch. Similar to the thread count on sheets, it is also referred to as “stitch count.” In general, the higher the density, the higher the quality of the artificial grass. Turf products with a high density are more durable and once installed offer a much more realistic artificial grass lawn.

Pile Height

The pile height of a turf product is the length of the grass blades measured from the backing to the end of the longest turf fibers. In the US, pile height is generally measured in inches. Pile height is one of many factors that you’ll want to consider when selecting the right artificial grass for your project.

Short Pile Height (0.5” to 1.5”): For high-traffic areas like commercial spaces, dog runs, putting greens, etc. a shorter pile height is ideal. Shorter fibers are less prone to matting and are more resilient to heavy foot traffic and constant use.

Tall Pile Height (1.5” to 3”+): For spaces where aesthetics are important, a taller pile height is best. In a front yard for example, it provides a true-to-life aesthetic that’s indistinguishable from a natural grass lawn.

Face Weight

The weight of the turf fibers and thatch (if present)  per square yard, is expressed as ounces per square yard. Face weight is only a measurement of the turf fibers and does not include the backing. Some turf companies, in order to make their products seem more dense may provide a “Total Weight” (Face Weight + Backing Weight). Don’t be afraid to ask for clarity regarding this metric.

The face weight doesn’t dictate product quality but provides a baseline to understand a turf product’s overall density. Most turf products will have a face weight ranging from around 40 oz. to 90+ oz. per square yard. 

Backing

The material beneath the turf blades, providing strength and stability is the backing, which has two parts: primary backing and secondary backing. Both the primary and secondary backings work together to provide dimensional stability to the entire system.

Primary Backing

The primary backing is typically comprised of woven polypropylene fabrics that allow the artificial grass fibers to be tufted into the mate