Mowing the lawn can be monotonous, labour-intensive, and time-consuming. That’s why artificial grass has increasingly become more popular in residential areas. And fortunately, ugly, hard plastic turf is no more! Today’s styles of artificial grass fit every aesthetic and budget. It’s no secret why more and more homeowners are opting for a landscaping option that is durable, low-maintenance and offers year-round beauty.
But with all the different looks, grades, and prices, you may be wondering how to choose the best artificial grass for your yard. To help with your decision, we’ve created this comprehensive guide including valuable information such as analyzing the different types of artificial grass, when is the best time to install, maintenance tips, and so much more. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with all you need to know to confidently choose the best artificial grass for you!
Understanding Different Artificial Grass Options
Artificial grass is a synthetic replacement for natural grass. Also referred to as artificial turf, it was originally used in sporting venues to replace real grass. Nowadays, homeowners want to benefit from the pros of installing artificial grass.
Artificial grass is offered in dozens of styles based on thatch, density, colour, and pile height. The turf itself however is generally made from three materials including nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
Our JHC landscaping experts suggest choosing a medium-pile height, medium-density artificial grass with some “thatch” mixed in.
This is the most cost-efficient option that provides the most natural, best looking artificial grass.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Artificial Grass
- Durability: Assess material strength, resilience, and suitability for traffic. It’s easy to forget that artificial grass is out in the cold, dust, heat, sun, and rain 24/7. Therefore, you want to choose artificial grass with features that will help it endure the weather that is common in your area. In general, artificial grass is extremely durable, and its materials help it withstand high levels of foot traffic for many years with minimal maintenance.
- Aesthetics: Consider your desired look and feel of your lawn. If a lush, full looking lawn is important to you, pay extra attention to colour, texture, pile height, thatch, infill, and density. Each of these elements adds to the natural look of artificial grass products. Also, be sure to maintain your synthetic turf regularly to prevent matting and to preserve the plush, fluffy appearance of your grass.
- Maintenance: It’s important to understand what maintenance is required to keep your lawn looking great. Consider cleaning, grooming, and long-term care solutions to help keep your artificial grass looking it’s best all year round. Tasks such as removing debris, cleaning stains, and avoiding dropping hot materials will extend the life of your artificial grass.
- Climate Compatibility: Ensure your artificial grass is suitable for your local environment. Different types of grass perform in varying climates. For example, as it pertains to cold climates, artificial grass won’t be damaged by the usual wintry conditions that plague real grass. However, artificial grass has plastic blades that will stiffen if frost hits. Conversely in hot climates, artificial turf is made of several heat-retaining materials which can substantially increase air temperatures near fields.
Analyzing the Different Types of Artificial Grass
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the three most popular types of artificial grass:
- Nylon: This is the strongest of the three materials, as it holds up the best in hot or cold climates. Nylon typically is the stiffest to the touch, it absorbs water, and is an expensive artificial grass option.
- Polyethylene: This is the most premium artificial grass option because of its more natural texture and appearance. Polyethylene is known for being durable, nonporous, and its ability to withstand the elements.
- Polypropylene: This is most cost-effective option of the three turfs. Although, Polypropylene doesn’t maintain its shape like the others. It also doesn’t hold up to lots of traffic or high heat. This artificial grass option is recommended to be purposed for aesthetics only.
Practical Tips for Selecting Best Artificial Grass
- Get Samples: It’s very important to see and feel samples in person. We suggest taking a close-up photo or a small sample of grass from a neighboring lawn. Use this as a guide when choosing a colour and texture of artificial grass for your lawn so you can be sure your lawn will match the surrounding ones.
- Density and Pile Height: Find the perfect balance for comfort and appearance through measuring density and pile height. The length of the blades determines the pile height of artificial grass. A longer pile height is the best artificial grass for a backyard to achieve a luxurious, natural-looking appearance. Density, also referred to as stitch count, is the number of blades per square inch. Denser turf products provide a more realistic artificial lawn and are durable.
- Infill and Backing: Play significant roles in the longevity and drainage of artificial grass. The purpose of infill is to help the grass blades stand up or return to their intended upright position after faced with pressure. Additionally, infill helps against the damage that is caused by UV rays, and it aids in turf drainage.
- Installation: Consider DIY vs. professional installation. There are many reasons to choose professional landscapers for artificial grass installation over doing it yourself. Hiring a lawn service is beneficial because they provide their invaluable skills and expertise and bring the equipment and professional-grade lawn care products needed. On the other hand, DIY lawn installation is cost-efficient, you work on your own time, and you can make personalized choices. Conversely, DIY lawn installation is a hefty commitment, it is labour inducive, and you must invest in the proper equipment.
When to Install the Best Fake Grass
Though artificial grass is a great option because it’s easy to maintain and it always looks great no matter the weather conditions, there are factors to consider when deciding what is the best time to install new artificial grass.
For instance, artificial grass is ideal for homeowners with small yards because it is much more of a practical and convenient choice rather than needing to haul out your lawn mower for such a small job. If you reside in a dry climate location, then artificial grass will be beneficial to you.
Dry climate places do not get a lot of rain, so it’s hard to grow grass without spending a fortune on your water bill. Another scenario is if you live in a place with excess shade.
If shadows are interfering with your ability to grow a lush lawn, then artificial grass is a helpful solution. Lastly, for multi-level lawns and other hard-to-mow landscapes, artificial grass is ideal!
How to Choose the Best Artificial Grass in Southern Ontario
Artificial grass can handle just about anything including heavy snow, hot climates, lots of trees, and regular downpours. Though these factors won’t impact the longevity of the turf, they will require different maintenance practices.
To prepare for heavy snow, be sure to remove as much lawn debris as possible. If you are not planning on walking on your artificial grass all winter, it’s best to just let snow and ice naturally melt. If you do however need to use the space, we advise removing the snow.
Artificial grass works in any climate, but direct penetrating sunlight can make the turf unbearably hot. Keep in mind cheaper artificial grasses will absorb more heat than higher quality ones. Our landscaping experts advise choosing a high-quality UV-resistant turf to ensure longevity.
If your area contains lots of trees, you’ll need to remove tree debris regularly. Leaves, acorns, and break down and embed themselves in the thatch, and if you let the debris sit all season, the rubbish becomes increasingly difficult to remove.
The best thing about artificial grass is you don’t have to water it and rain and humidity don’t have a lasting impact on it either.
Good drainage though is essential! We advise homeowners to hire a landscaping company so they can prepare the ground underneath with decomposed granite and sand.
This setup allows water to flow down and through.
Maintaining Your Fake Grass
There are several techniques you can employ to maintain the best fake grass all year round. Regularly remove debris including leaves, sticks, seeds, or anything else that might fall from above onto your lawn.
Always clean off any stains and be careful with greasy substances like sunscreen and cooking oil.
Avoid hot materials such as any hot coals from the BBQ to land on a synthetic lawn will burn and damage the blades.
Overall, regular maintenance is a must to address minor repairs and prolong the longevity of your artificial grass.
Creating a Beautiful, Hassle-Free Green Space
There is a type of artificial grass suitable for nearly every location, use, climate, and budget. So it can be overwhelming to decipher which artificial grass is best for you. Consider your personal needs, the local climate, and your long-term enjoyment before making a selection. We hope that after reading today, you’re well on your way to finding the best artificial grass for your front or backyard.
If you’re interested in artificial grass installation in Toronto or the GTA, please contact us at JHC Landscaping Services today!