Artificial Grass Information & Blog

The Purchase Green Blog shares our artificial grass information such as artificial grass installation, what is the best artificial grass, where to buy artificial grass, DIY artificial grass projects, events & more!

Thanksgiving at Purchase Green – Why We’re Thankful

It’s hard to believe it’s Thanksgiving again and the end of 2019 is in sight. Today’s festivities are especially meaningful to all of us here at Purchase Green, which is why we’re closed company-wide today and tomorrow. (And don’t worry, this post was pre-scheduled to publish – no one had to stay behind to push the go button.) Why? For the simple reason that we know we have a lot for which to be thankful. Instead of keeping our gratitude to ourselves, we thought we’d share a few of those things here, in no particular order of importance. To all of our friends, family, followers and customers: from all of us at Purchase Green, we wish you a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving.

The Return of the Rain

“The drought has affected everyone. We are no exception.”

As the weather grows cooler and wetter for much of the Southwest, we’re reminded that it’s been a year since the rains began in California that led to the official end of the record-setting 8-year drought in March of this year. In years past, we’ve received the question, “This drought must be good for business, huh?” While it’s true, we are in the business of saving water for our customers, we are not in the business of profiteering from crisis, nor would we want any of our neighbors to think so. The fact of the matter is we live here, too. Many of us have seen and breathed the smoke from the horrific fires, and our San Fernando Valley store temporarily closed this October due to threat of fire. The drought has affected everyone. We are no exception. So today, we’re giving thanks for the rain and the relief it has brought to the Southwestern U.S. May it continue to bring relief to us all.

Our Team

“Without this incredible team, none of it would be possible.”

If you haven’t gathered it already, we are extremely proud of our team. It might sound sappy, but it’s true: our people are the finest and we know it. Across 20 far-flung locations, from stores to warehouses to dealerships to contractors and corporate offices, our team enthusiastically tackles challenges, works collaboratively, and strives to improve continually, pushing the PG brand forward. Without this incredible team, none of it would be possible. So, we’re taking a moment to be thankful for the privilege of working alongside these amazing people and of being a part of the Purchase Green team.

Our Customers

“We’re so thankful that we get to do the work we love, and for that we have none to thank more than our customers.”

We know it can seem disingenuous to thank our customers, but we really mean it. You see, for us it’s so much more than simply selling a product or service. Our passion is creating beautiful landscapes that improve the lives of our customers, and our customers never fail to inspire us by their ideas and give us a sense of meaning in our work. Seeing a finished installation featuring our handiwork and knowing that it will bring joy and contentment to our customers, their friends and family, and even passers-by is an unparalleled feeling. We’re so thankful that we get to do the work we love, and for that we have none to thank more than our customers.

We could go on, but in the interest of getting back to celebrating, we’ll end it here. Thank you for reading, and, once again…

Artificial Turf for Dogs | Choosing the Right Turf for Your Pup

Choosing artificial turf that both you and your dog will enjoy can seem overwhelming at first, especially with so many options and opinions out there. At Purchase Green, we’ve helped many customers find turf solutions that work well for pets and people alike, so in today’s post, we’re bringing you our top tips and PG know-how to arm you with the knowledge you need.

But first, we’d like to introduce you to the inspiration for this post. Meet S’mores the puppy!

S’mores was our special guest at the office last week. He mainly trundled around seeking belly rubs, causing a moderate amount of puppy mayhem (as pictured), and inevitably looking for a place to snooze. After endeavoring to make his stay a bit more comfortable with a bed of turf samples, we were inspired to write today’s post, walking you through the process of choosing the right artificial turf for your four-legged friend, just as we do with our customers. (We also wanted a reason to post a picture of a puppy on our website.) *ahem* Let’s jump in!

If you’re thinking about installing artificial turf for your dog, you’ll want to consider both the turf itself and the infill.

1. The Turf.

Yep, it’s safe.

Many pet owners are concerned about possible hazards to their pet’s health – particularly lead. So, first things first: Purchase Green products are tested in the U.S., are verified safe for humans and animals alike, and are lead free.

You might think, “Ok, that’s great, but there’s still a zillion different types, so… a little help here?” Glad you asked! Let’s break it down.

Keep it short, keep it dense.

In general, we find that short high-density grasses are preferred by dog owners. This makes for easy cleanup. To that end, stay away from plush grasses, since they’re tall, and grasses like groundcover that are low in density.

Right, short and dense narrows it down a little. Now, let’s consider what your dog will be doing out there on the grass.

Traffic level and durability.

For example, if you’re installing turf where your two large rambunctious dogs play, you’ll probably want grass with good memory, meaning it always returns to its original shape, and high durability, which is a combination of several factors, including blade thickness, blade material, and backing system.

On the other hand, let’s say you’ve got one small dog who mostly lies around. A softer, more natural-feeling grass might be the better choice for this pup.

The cool factor.

Many pet owners have legitimate concerns about the temperature of artificial turf. Yes, it can get pretty warm, but don’t worry. We’ve got work-arounds.

First, artificial grass only warms up when exposed to direct sunlight. Believe it or not, air temperature has no effect on grass. It could be 115 degrees out, and as long as the turf isn’t in the sun, it’ll feel pretty cool.

Second, it takes direct, intense sunlight – the kind which only occurs between 11AM and 2PM – to heat up turf. You won’t experience it if you and your pet aren’t going to be outside at that time.

Third, we incorporate CoolYarn technology into many of our grasses. This reduces the temperature by up to 15% and is usually enough to make it comfortable at all times and in all seasons.

With this information, you have been equipped with everything you need to choose the right grass for your pet or pets. But… we’re not done yet!

2. The Infill

Oh good! This section is short! Even so, infill can make or break an artificial turf installation. If you’re not familiar with it, infill is a sand-like substance that supports grass blades and prevents matting. In pet applications, however, it also has to deodorize and sanitize, both of which our Zeolite, MellowFill, and HeroFill infills do. Silica Sand, on the other hand, traps and collects odors and microbes, so it’s a decidedly BAD MATCH for pet applications.

Next steps

There you have it! We hope this breakdown has given you some clarity as you seek the best turf for your pet. Of course, there’s a lot more that goes into deciding exactly which turf is for you than we could ever fit in a simple blog post, so we highly encourage you to visit one of our stores, talk with our experts, and get a feel for the solutions available to you. We’ll happily provide a free estimate too! We look forward to working with you, and have a great day!

P.S. And remember, “What would S’mores choose?”

Got questions? Give us a ring at 844-877-3444 and we’ll be happy to help!

Localized Heating: The #1 Way to Melt Artificial Turf.

Localized heating occurs when light from the sun is focused onto a small area. For artificial turf, that’s bad news. It can melt the blades, the backing material, and leave obvious discoloration, pictured here.

Not pretty!

If you’re thinking about purchasing artificial turf, don’t worry. By taking a few simple precautions before installing your grass, you can easily avoid localized heating damage.

Reflective surfaces, such as windows, are usually responsible for localized heating damage. We have found low-e windows to be particularly troublesome. So, before installing your grass, look for reflections on the ground where you want to install between the hours of 11AM and 2PM, when the sun is most direct. If you see any, determine where the reflection is coming from.

If it’s coming from one of your windows, then installing an awning, an outdoor solar screen, or tinting the glass will help eliminate the reflection. If it’s coming from an object in the yard, like a glass table, try moving it to another spot in the yard, or covering it with something non-reflective.

Additionally, while ambient air temperature doesn’t effect the temperature of artificial turf, direct sunlight does. In fact, aside from contact with hot objects, like frying pans (yes, we’ve seen that happen), sunlight is the only thing that significantly affects the temperature of artificial grass. For this reason, it’s important to take precautions against localized heating.

Yes, localized heating can be a problem for artificial turf owners, but if you know what to look for, you – and your turf – have nothing to fear!

Got questions? Feel free to give us a call or stop by one of our stores, and one of our artificial grass experts will be happy to help.

Artificial Grass Remnant Ideas

When you install artificial grass, there is a very high chance you’ll have some leftover pieces. Very few projects, after all, have dimensions that mesh perfectly with the length and width of a roll of grass. So what should you do with that excess grass, better known as remnants? Get creative! Here are a few examples of what you can do with remnants.
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