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!

How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost?

If you’re thinking about installing artificial grass in your yard, you’ve probably heard about its benefits. Depending on your water usage, an artificial lawn can pay for itself in a few years to a few months. It eliminates mowing, weeding, and the need for expensive weed-killing and grass-growing chemicals. Even so, you may be asking,

“That sounds great, but what about the up-front cost?”

In this post, we’ll show you how to calculate your up-front costs and find an artificial grass solution that works for you.

How To Calculate Your Up-Front Artificial Grass Cost

In short: Multiply the total square-footage of your installation area by the price per square-foot of the grass you’ve selected. Then add the quoted price of installation to reach an estimate of your total up-front artificial grass cost.

Square-footage

The first step in calculating the up-front cost of installing artificial grass in your yard is to determine the area of your installation site in feet squared. Artificial grass is almost always priced by the square foot, so you’ll want to have this number when planning your project.

For details of turf pricing standards and trends, see our post >> How Artificial Turf Is Priced

Application

This is the fun part! Next, determine your application, or how you intend to use the grass. Your application will determine how durable or specialized your turf needs to be. Matching the right grass with your application is crucial to ensuring a cost-effective and maintenance-free artificial lawn, so we recommend taking your time and discussing your options with our turf experts.

Our grasses range from $0.99 to $3.89 per square-foot, depending on a number of factors including the durability of the grass. For instance, our sports turfs are built to take a daily pounding without wearing out. This is made possible through the use of more material in the manufacturing process, resulting in a price higher than our other aesthetic-only grasses.

Infill

Though often overlooked, infill is a critical component in any artificial grass installation and has a lot to do with application. It’s a sand-like material that primarily supports the grass blades and weighs down the grass to discourage wrinkles. Our premium infill, Herofill, is recommend for any installation where you foresee foot traffic. The other less expensive infills can become compacted, forming a dust that’s potentially unhealthy to inhale.

Herofill comes in 50-pound bags, at about $22 per bag. The exact amount of infill you’ll need is determined by the amount and type of traffic you foresee, but the typical range is between 1 and 2 pounds per square-foot. That works out to about $0.44 per square-foot.

Installation

When it comes to artificial grass installation, you have options. You can install with our install teams or just do it yourself!

First, our install teams have extensive experience with all types of installations and are experts in their craft. The price of our installation service varies from city to city and can be anywhere from $7-$11 per square foot of grass installed. This includes both the price of grass and the installation itself. For a more precise figure, we encourage you request a quote. With Purchase Green, it’s free, convenient, and there’s no obligation.

– Or –

Just do it yourself! This costs nothing, aside from time and effort, of course. If you’ve got some basic tools and some extra time and energy, artificial grass is actually pretty easy to install yourself. We have tons of literature and videos and a staff of experts on the topic standing by to help you make it happen!

Puting it Together

Now that you know how many square feet of grass, what type of grass, and whether you want to install professionally or DIY, the process of estimating your up-front cost is simple.

If you’re going with professional installation, this formula can give you and upper and lower range of expense until you’re able to get a more precise estimate:

Lower estimate: feet squared of grass X $7/square-foot of grass

Upper estimate: feet squared of grass X $11/square-foot of grass

If you’re up for the challenge of doing it yourself, the process is even easier.

(feet squared of grass X $#.##/square foot of selected grass.) + (feet squared of grass X $0.44/square-foot of grass)

As an example, a 1,500 square-foot lawn installed professionally would cost $10,500 (1,500 X $7) at the least and $16,500 (1,500 X $11) at the most.

As a DIY project, that lawn would cost $1,485 (1,500 X $0.99) with our lowest-priced grass and $5,835 (1,500 X $3.89) with our most premium grass.

There will be some accessories needed to ensure your grass performs as intended, but we haven’t included these costs because they vary broadly from project to project and usually aren’t a significant expense. These accessories include seam tape, seam glue, nails, bend-a-board and a turf broom.

In Conclusion…

Yes, there are a lot of variables to consider when calculating your up-front artificial grass cost. We hope that this post has given you the tools you need to make informed decisions and find the best value. If it seems a little overwhelming, fear not! Our trusted turf experts are standing by, ready to provide help and guidance. Give us a call or visit one of our stores to talk to them! We look forward to helping you create an amazing

How to Avoid Visible Seams in Artificial Grass

If you’re thinking about installing artificial grass yourself, you’ve probably taken note of other peoples’ artificial lawns. If you have, chances are you’ve noted a few of them that demonstrate a worrying defect: lines or ridges running through the grass. In this post, we’ll explore what these lines are and how you can avoid them altogether.

Visible Seams in Artificial Grass: A Symptom of Imprecise Seaming

Lines in artificial grass are caused by seams. A seam is a place where two pieces of artificial turf are joined together. This might sound like a simple procedure. “Just grab the two pieces, line them up, give them a pat or two, and presto! A perfect seam.” Unfortunately, it’s more complex than that. In fact, it’s one of the most difficult aspects of installing artificial turf and takes quite a bit of practice to become proficient at it. If the two pieces of turf overlap or are too far apart by even a little, the result will be a visible line or lines in the grass.

You might think, “Can’t I just get one big piece of turf to cover the whole area and not have to do any seaming at all?” Well, that depends. How big is your installation area? Is it a rectangle or are there lots of curves and corners to fill? Artificial grass comes in big rolls, so, unless your yard is the exact shape and size of a roll of turf, some cutting and seaming will almost certainly be necessary.

There’s a lot to pay attention to if you want to avoid visible seams in artificial turf. You need to observe the turf’s gauge and grain direction while also considering how best to secure the seam.

Seaming Consideration: Gauge

Gauge is just another word for the distance between stitch rows in a given piece of turf.

“Aaaaaand what’s a stitch row?”

Grass blades are stitched into the backing material in rows, like a cornfield.

A row of stitches.

A stitch row.

So the gauge is the distance between them. This distance is important to take into account when seaming two pieces of grass with parallel stitch rows because you want the gauge to be visually uninterrupted by your seam as if it were all one big piece of turf.

With this in mind, take special care to match the gauge when cutting turf for seaming.

Seaming Consideration: Grain Direction

This is pretty straight-forward. Grain direction is the general direction in which the blades of grass point. Unless you are installing a playground or sports turf, your grass will have an obvious grain. When seaming, you want to make sure both pieces of turf are situated so that their grain is in the same direction. That might be the easiest part of the whole seaming process.

Seaming Consideration: Securing Method

There are generally two ways to secure seams in artificial grass. Method 1: Seaming tape and glue. Method 2: Nails.

Method 1 involves applying glue to a strip of specialized tape that runs the length of the seam below both pieces of turf. Then, both sides are pressed to the glue. Allow the seam to set for about 24 hours before putting a lot of foot traffic on it, as this may undo your careful alignment.

Method 2 entails simply nailing in non-galvanized nails on either side of the seam in a staggered formation. This is also a very viable method, but only for grass that will receive low or medium levels of traffic. If you expect your traffic level will be fairly low, this might be the best option for you.

Method 1 is the most secure and the most expensive. Method 2 is inexpensive, but sacrifices a bit in the security of the seam. For this reason, we typically recommend method 1 as the best way to avoid visible seams in artificial grass, but a combination of the two methods might also work for your application. Be sure to get in touch with our turf experts for additional guidance selecting the best method for you.

In Conclusion…

That’s about it! Don’t want seams in your yard? Just take some extra precautions while installing and you’ll never see them. Of course, we always recommend having your artificial lawn installed professionally in order to mitigate the risk of defects like visible seams. Our install teams are highly experienced in creating beautiful landscapes. Come talk to us about your project and our artificial turf experts will be happy to provide guidance!

THE AFTER BLOG BLOG

Hello, friend! Thank you for joining us. Have you taken a look at our knowledge base? If you’ve got a question about artificial grass, it has the answer!

We are continually updating this collection of videos, articles, and e-books with the most up-to-date artificial grass information on the interwebs. Whether you’re a homeowner just investigating artificial grass, or a do-it-yourselfer looking to install your own grass, or a landscape professional seeking best practices, we’re confident you won’t be disappointed. The best part: it’s free!

How Long Does Artificial Grass Last?

Very frequently our customers ask us, “how long does artificial grass last?” If you’re asking that question yourself, we have good news and bad news for you.

The good news is, there’s a short answer: “About 15-20 years.”

The bad news is, there’s also a very annoying long answer that begins with the dreadful, “It depends…”

Both answers are true, and both need some explaining. So let’s break it down. Just how long does artificial grass last? It depends…

on your grass and infill selection for your application and
on your installation.

If you’re a regular reader of ours, you’re probably saying, “Hold on, I’ve definitely read this before. You guys sound like a broken record!” Yes, we definitely do, but it’s because this stuff is all true and it all needs to be said! For new readers, stick with us and you’ll see what we mean. (Also, welcome!)

Impact of Grass and Infill Selection for Your Application on How Long Artificial Turf Lasts

Application is everything in maximizing your grass’s lifespan.

We offer thirty-seven varieties of artificial grass. That’s thirty-seven. Varieties. Of GRASS. And we’re adding new ones all the time! Why so many different types? Because there are as many applications. If there’s one thing you take away from this blog post, let it be that application is everything.

Application – how you intend to use your turf.

The Grass

Different types of turf are designed for different applications. Our sports turfs, for example, are designed with super strong backing systems and stiff blades so that they can stand up to the daily pounding of cleats, tackles, and other stuff that happens during a football game. For an elderly grandmother’s back yard, however, this grass would be total overkill. Likewise, our grandmother’s lovely-looking grass wouldn’t last a second if she decided to host high school football practice. Thus, matching your application to the right kind of grass will go a very long way towards maximizing your grass’s lifespan.

For more on application, see our knowledge base.

The Infill

Infill is another important factor in this equation. You need the right kind for your application in the right amount. We usually recommend our Herofill/Mellowfill as the all-around best choice, but you’ll definitely want to discuss your options with one of our experts.

For more on infill, check out our blog post on Infill Options.

If you choose the right grass and infill for your application – pending no natural disasters or acts of God – artificial grass lasts to its full life expectancy.

Installation Factors that Affect How Long Artificial Grass Lasts

We mentioned in a recent blog post that a big factor in keeping your artificial lawn ultra-low maintenance is a proper installation. The same applies to maximize how long your artificial turf lasts.

For example, artificial lawns must have a well-prepared subbase. Subbase is the material that goes below the turf, providing a stable foundation that won’t contract and expand like regular soil. If the subbase isn’t installed or is installed incorrectly and the turf is exposed to your yard’s native soil, it will be forced to expand and contract as the soil does. Over time this will result in ridges, bubbles, and wrinkles in the grass – an ugly defect that can only be fixed by pulling up the turf and re-installing it.

We typically recommend a professional installation so you get it right the first time, saving money and grief down the road.

In Conclusion…

So how long does artificial turf last? Assuming you’ve installed the right turf with the right infill and the proper installation procedures, your artificial grass lasts to its full life expectancy.

If this all seems overwhelming, fear not! Our experienced turf experts are ready to answer any questions you have and provide AWESOME guidance. Give us a call or stop by your local Purchase Green store!

For the nitty-gritty on all things artificial turf, see our knowledge base.

THE AFTER-BLOG BLOG:

Hey friend! Thanks for reading today’s blog post, and congrats on reaching the very end. We just wanted to add this postscript announcement about changes to our blog schedule. We’re now posting every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 AM. We’ll see you then!

California Proposition 65 and Artificial Grass

Artificial Grass and California Proposition 65

The topic of Proposition 65 warning labels found on some common artificial grass products came up in a blog post we published back in December. At the time, we wished we could go into detail about it, but it just didn’t fit in the post. So, today, we want to take a deep dive into artificial grass and California Proposition 65 chemicals. Specifically, we’ll address:

What the label means,
Which products carry the label,
Why we apply the label to some of our products.

We’re going to get a little technical here, so feel free to just read the italicized section summaries for the main points and skip over all our hard research and writing. We don’t mind. Really. *Ahem*

Ok, put on your old-timey lawyer wig, because here we go… (You totally have one of those, right? Come on, everyone does.)

What Does the Proposition 65 Label Mean?

Proposition 65 puts the burden of proof on the business to show that their product or facility should not need to carry the label should their compliance be called into question.

If you live in California, you’ve seen them.

There are many requirements, stipulations, and exceptions included in Proposition 65, so we have endeavored to parse through the legalese to find the most relevant language to our discussion here.

First and foremost, the label is used in compliance with the 1986 legislation, “Proposition 65: Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986”. It requires both businesses to provide clear and reasonable warning of significant exposure to known carcinogens, and the state to maintain a list of such chemicals.

How does a business know if its products or workplace contain one of the listed chemicals? The California Office of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment says this on their Proposition 65 About page:

“Using its knowledge of its business operations and the chemicals it uses, a business can review the Proposition 65 list to determine whether its operations or products are likely to expose people in California to any listed chemicals.”

This means it’s entirely up to the business to determine if it’s exposing individuals to chemicals found on California’s list of known carcinogens. If a business determines that listed chemicals are present in their workplace or product, they may still elect not to display a warning. However, they must be able to show that “the exposures they cause are so low as to create no significant risk of cancer or are significantly below levels observed to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.”

Why Do Some Products Carry the Proposition 65 Label?

Just because you see the label doesn’t guarantee you are being exposed to the chemicals in high enough dosage to have an effect.

In other words, Proposition 65 puts the burden of proof on the business to show that their product or facility does not need to carry the label. For this reason, many businesses heir on the side of caution and include the label wherever they find carcinogens, be it a significant exposure threat or not.

So, just because you see the label doesn’t guarantee you are being exposed to the chemicals in high enough dosage to have any significant effect.

Yep, it’s that simple.

What About Our Products? Why Do Some Carry the Label?

We apply the label in abundance of caution, not because the products are a true health threat.

MellowFill Proposition 65 Warning

Our silica sand and Mellowfill infills carry the Proposition 65 warning label because the base ingredient of both is silica. Silica is a known carcinogen and, when dry, can produce dust that can be inhaled. So, why do we offer these products?

In our experience, these infills are safe. We apply the label in abundance of caution, not because the products are a true health threat.

Mellowfill

The silica in Mellowfill is encapsulated completely in a vinyl coating that prevents the silica from forming dust and escaping into the environment. It can be handled all day every day with no known negative health implications.

Silica Sand

Silica Sand is raw silica, so we only recommend this product for zero-foot-traffic zones and always encourage wearing a mask when handling it. As long as it is not stirred up to form dust, it is safe.

In Conclusion…

The health and safety of our customers and employees are of paramount importance to us. Because of this, we’ve already broken from the mainstream, eliminating traditional turf products, like crumb rubber, because we simply weren’t comfortable with the health threats it posed (not to mention its sub-par performance!). We take great pride in offering a product that is healthier for you, your yard, your finances, and the environment.

That’s the whole point, after all!

Have questions? Give us a ring or stop by your local store and an artificial turf expert will be happy to help! For the nitty-gritty on all things artificial turf, check out our knowledge base.

How Much Work is Artificial Turf Maintenance?

When talking to folks from anywhere outside the Southwest, it’s always interesting to hear their take on lawn maintenance. Most of the time, just the thought of installing an artificial lawn is completely foreign to them, but after only a few minutes of consideration, they say something like, “Well, I guess you’d never have to mow… That does sound pretty nice!” Here in the Southwest, the equivalent response is, “So you’d never have to water? That does sound pretty nice!” No matter the climate zone, a low-maintenance lawn is appealing to most folks.

“But there has to be some work involved in artificial turf maintenance, right?”

Yes, while it’s certainly easier to take care of than natural grass, there is still some routine work involved. The good news is it’s even easier than other household routines, like vacuuming your house or changing the oil in your car. Here, we’ll look at just what it takes to keep your artificial turf looking good and performing at 100%.

Brushing

Period brushing is usually needed.

Speaking of vacuuming, have you ever run one over a rug and noticed that it seems to become plusher? That’s because the rug fibers have been pressed flat by foot traffic and are pulled up by the action of the vacuum brush and suction. Artificial turf works the same way. The fibers can become pressed flat over time and with traffic, so periodic brushing is usually needed to return the grass to its like-new state.

This is easily accomplished with a regular push broom, but a power broom can be of tremendous help as well. Power brooms are small, easy to use, and make the work go a lot faster.

If you choose the right turf and infill amount for the level and type of traffic you expect, you won’t need to do much brushing. Once every few months might be sufficient, or even once a year. It certainly won’t be anywhere as frequent or intensive as mowing.

Cleaning

Keeping your turf clean is a breeze if proper precautions are taken during installation.

Cleaning is most often an artificial turf maintenance concern for pet owners but applies to anyone who owns artificial turf. Assuming that the turf has been installed correctly, it should be very easy to keep clean. Most of the time, routine cleaning can be accomplished with a specially-designed cleaning agent and a garden hose.

The frequency of routine cleaning is up to you. If you’ve got leaves or other yard debris, a shop vac or leaf blower will be sufficient to remove it. Don’t use a rake, as this will damage the grass blades.

When odors and stains do appear, the cause can almost always be traced back to an installation problem. If you’re a pet owner, choosing a pet-friendly grass and an antimicrobial infill will go a long way toward keeping your grass clean. Rainwater is your biggest aid in washing away unwanted microbes and odors. For this reason, it’s important to make sure the area of installation drains rainwater properly. To that end, the area needs to have a grade, even if only a slight one. Taking these precautions while planning and installing your grass will make cleaning a breeze.

Weeding

Installing artificial turf doesn’t guarantee a weed-free yard, but it can significantly reduce the amount of weeding needed.

Do weeds grow through artificial turf? Yes, they sometimes do. And when they do, they’re just as annoying as when they appear in a natural lawn. However, artificial lawns make it much easier to control weeds. The secret, yet again, is in the installation process. Weed barrier is the best first defense against weeds. It’s a filament installed beneath the grass that blocks the growth of any plants.

With this countermeasure in place, weed-killing chemicals are no longer necessary, making your yard healthier. While you may still find an occasional weed that crops up around the border of the installation, weeding is largely a thing of the past for owners of artificial turf.

Conclusion

So, how much work is artificial turf maintenance? Compared to a natural lawn, barely any. The most important factor in making sure your turf is ultra low-maintenance is a proper installation.

The turf and infill should be right for your application.
The area should be able to drain completely.
Weed barrier is recommended for most yards.

Keep these things in mind as you move forward in your project plan and, if you have any questions, feel free to give us a call or visit your local store. Check out our knowledge base for the nitty-gritty on all things artificial turf.

Artificial Grass and Snow | Answers with a Turf Expert

What happens when you mix artificial grass and snow?

On the week of Thanksgiving, we in Southern California got hammered with several inches of snow. Of course, we’re sure you’re laughing at us for thinking a few inches of snow is bad, and we’re also sure you got way more snow wherever you live. Consider, though, how unprepared we are for such a calamity! We almost never get snow, and if snow does fall, it’s always over the mountains and far away. We don’t have any plows or snow blowers or even snow shovels. Major roads were closed, whole neighborhoods shut off from the world. Naturally, this apocalyptic event got us thinking about the questions our snowed-in customers might have about what happens when you mix artificial grass and snow.

So, to get the facts, we turned to our Denver store territory holder, Courtney.

Courtney is a true turf expert, serving homeowners, contractors, home builders, and DIYers in the Denver area for the last 3 years. Here’s what she told us about the effects of snow on artificial turf.

Are cold temperatures and ice bad for artificial turf? Can it shrink or become brittle?

Cold temps should not affect your artificial turf. If installed properly, the contraction and expansion that comes with changes in weather shouldn’t be an issue. If the turf is installed when it is very cold, you may see some problems with contraction and expansion.

Can heavy snow damage turf?

Nope, we’ve never known that to happen.

How should snow be removed from turf? Will shoveling damage the blades?

Do not shovel as it can damage your grass and is NOT covered by your warranty. Just let the snow melt from your artificial turf as you would from a sodded yard.

Don’t shovel the snow off your turf

Are some types of turf better for winter weather than others?

Certain blade shapes will stand up better in general and that will help with matting from the snow. We would suggest brooming or raking your turf in the spring to help the blades stand upright again.

Any additional tips?

If you are using artificial turf in your front yard, consider putting a 1′ border of rock or mulch along an area that you intend to keep clear of snow. That way while you are shoveling or plowing snow you lessen the risk of damaging your yard.

In conclusion…

So, to recap, install your turf carefully and correctly, don’t shovel the snow off, and don’t worry! Your Purchase Green turf can handle the worst of winter and remain a high-performing, cost-effective, beautiful landscape for years.

Got questions? Give us a call or visit your local store and one of our turf experts will be happy to help!

New Years Eve at Purchase Green | 2019 in Review

How should we describe 2019 at Purchase Green? Well, putting aside poetics, we might just say it’s been big. Really big. Several substantial positive changes have come down the line this year, accompanied by hosts of smaller ones that, added together, mean we are not the same Purchase Green that we were a year ago. Yes, we’re still rockin’ the turf and doing it better with every passing day, but we’re excited about how these changes will transform both us and your experience of working with us.

Purchase Green, A Controlled Products Company

The biggest news first! Just last month, Purchase Green merged with Controlled Products, LLC, an artificial turf manufacturer based out of Dalton, Georgia. Controlled Products has been innovating turf tech and service for over 30 years, and a great deal of innovation in the turf industry is due to their efforts. Their capabilities range from product development to custom manufacturing techniques, to marketing and packaging, making them true leaders in turf solutions. And, they do it all right here in the U.S.

We’re incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join forces with CP to offer even better products to more customers who can benefit from them. More big changes will be coming in 2020 as we expand and adjust into our role with CP. We’ll keep you up to date!

Tariff Upticks vs. Purchase Green Prices

As you probably know, the highly controversial tariffs on imports from China as part of the “Trade War” went into effect back in 2018, resulting in hiked retail prices everywhere. Artificial turf was heavily affected, as much of it is imported from Chinese manufacturers. However, through strategic maneuvering, we’re happy to say we’ve drasitcally minmized the effects the tariffs have on our pricing. This means our prices are up to 10% lower than other suppliers!

Furthermore, because we do our own manufacturing, our quality is assured. A lower price for better quality product. That’s what we like to call value, and we’re so happy we can continue to offer the best value to our customers despite international trade shenanigans.

Meet the Office of Business Management

In April of this year, we opened a brand new location in Encinitas, California, and called it the Office of Business Management. Its main goal is to support the people who are making all the growth happen by improving internal processes and undertaking marketing initiatives. We also publish these blog posts and all our social media content through the OBM, as we call it. Yep, we’re the people making all the online stuff, including this blog post! Pleased to meet you!

So far, we’ve accomplished a lot and we think the OBM is going to have a lot more to do in 2020. Right now, we’re just four people in a room, but that’s likely to change as we expand our team to support rapid company-wide growth. It’ll be an adventure!

In Conclusion

Yes, 2019 has been a big year for Purchase Green and 2020 looks to be even bigger. Thank you to our customers who have inspired us and have offered helpful feedback that keeps us innovating and aspiring year to year. Thank you to our staff who work hard to offer the best value and find better ways of doing everything. To you, we wish a happy New Year, and we’ll see you in 2020!

Christmas Eve at Purchase Green

Christmas Eve is finally here and the excitement for the big day is nearly killing us! Tomorrow there will be family gathered near, ornaments, fireplaces crackling cozily, hot chocolate and baked goods, ugly sweaters, Nat King Cole singing the classics, and – what we’re really looking forward to – PRESENTS! We at Purchase Green will be taking a half-day today because, well, even though we love artificial turf, we think it’s really important to spend time reveling in the Christmas spirit with loved ones.

We toyed with several ideas for the subject of this Christmas Eve post – our company Christmas traditions, proper maintenance of your artificial turf after a big Christmas gathering, and a slew of really terrible Christmas turf puns, like “Merry Grassmas”. But we decided to do something different instead. What we really want to do is to take a step back from the craziness of our expanding enterprise, the hubbub of order fulfillment and installation, and all the rest that goes into a labor of love like our business, and to simply be present in the Christmas spirit. Purchase Green is a family, and as sappy as it may sound, we really love doing what we do together as a team. Not only does it set us apart as an effective business, it helps us appreciate what we have and where we’re going. At the end of the day, this is all about doing something meaningful – something that drives real positive change in the lives of our customers and connects all of us to something bigger than ourselves.

In the spirit of this Christmas Eve mindfulness, we’d simply like to wish you and our PG family members who might be reading a very warm

Is Artificial Turf Safe? | Answers to Your Questions

Frequently, our customers ask us, “Is artificial turf safe?” Although this concern may be widespread, it is certainly unfounded. Rumors that artificial turf contains dangerous chemicals and can lead to cancer are simply untrue. The adoption of new technology throughout the industry has made grass and associated products healthy and safe. We’re definitely confident in the safety and quality of our product, so, in this post, we’re answering common questions about what is and isn’t in our turf.

Is artificial turf safe? Is there lead in it?

Lead

PG turf is tested in the U.S. and verified LEAD SAFE.

During the early years of artificial grass, the unhealthy effects of lead were not fully understood, and regulations to control lead content in artificial turf products hadn’t yet been enacted. So, quite a bit of lead was used to help the grass retain its color. However, as the effects of lead became better understood and laws were put in place to protect consumers, healthier, superior technologies were developed. Over time, they’ve improved, and today, the lead content of all artificial turf sold in the U.S. is typically well below the maximum legal content. Our turf has undergone extensive testing here in the U.S. and is verified lead safe. We’re pretty proud of that! We have a full breakdown of our product lead test results available for download.

Chemical Allergens

PG Turf is hypo-allergenic.

Because most artificial turf is hypoallergenic, it’s commonly preferred by people who have allergies to grass. Turf contains no chemicals that are known to cause allergic reactions on contact and, under normal conditions, doesn’t break down into airborne particles that can be inhaled. If you or someone in your household has allergies or a sensitive respiratory system, artificial turf is a safe bet.

Aren’t there toxic chemicals in infill?

Crumb rubber infill

Infill technology has come a very long way since the days of crumb rubber (pictured above). Of course, you can still find crumb rubber in some installations, but at Purchase Green, we avoid it altogether. It gets too hot and contains too many dangerous chemicals we’re not comfortable offering to our customers. Why, then, do several of our infills carry a Proposition 65 warning? Here’s why they’re still safe.

Silica

Crystalline Silica is a known carcinogen. In raw sand form, it can produce dust, which can be inhaled. However, our silica sand is thoroughly encapsulated in a coating that prevents any of the silica from escaping or coming into contact with the outside world. So, although we legally have to carry a Prop 65 warning, our silica sand is a safe, cost-effective and popular solution for many types of turf applications. See this product’s MSDS for more a complete report.

Are turf cleaning agents safe?

Turf Bomb antimicrobial & scent-masking turf cleaner

Antimicrobial Spores

The spores in Turf Bomb have been shown to pose no health threat whatsoever.

Turf Bomb is our top turf cleaning agent, featuring active antimicrobial spores that break down unwanted bacteria and emit tiny amounts of water and CO2. There is no need for chemicals like chlorine, bleach, and heavy metals, thanks to the action of the spores. You might ask, “It kills bacteria with bacteria? Isn’t that kind of like fighting fire with fire?”

Well, the spores don’t actually kill other bacteria directly. Instead, they consume the food source, be that animal waste or other organics, leaving nothing for the harmful bacteria to eat. Then, they simply “shut off” when their job is done, going into a hibernation state. Because they pose no health threat to humans or animals, they can simply stay where they are and await reactivation. We have a full article on the science behind Turf Bomb here. It’s more like fighting fire with… well, cold fire, maybe? Hmm. The analogy needs some work.

In Conclusion

We hope this has cleared up some of your concerns and answered some of your questions surrounding the health and safety of artificial turf and related products. If you have any questions, give us a call or stop by your local store and one of our turf experts will be happy to help.

How Artificial Turf is Priced | The Buyer’s Guide

Whether you’re knee-deep into the process of planning your artificial turf project or evaluating whether to opt for artificial turf in the first place, understanding how artificial turf is priced will be critical to making informed decisions along the way. In this post, we’ll examine the factors that drive the price of artificial turf and give you tools to find the best turf for you at the best value.

Face Weight and Total Weight

The amount of material in a given area of turf is usually the most significant factor in determining how it is priced. There are three components in artificial turf that can vary significantly in the amount of material used to manufacture them and, therefore, have the most impact on the price: yarn, primary backing and secondary backing. The amount of material present in these two components is measured by face weight and total weight.

Face weight is a measure of the weight (in ounces) of the yarn within 1 square yard.
Total weight is a combined measure of the weight (in ounces) of the yarn and the primary/secondary backings within 1 square yard

It’s important to note that neither measurement is really an indicator of quality. This is because artificial turf is manufactured in a variety of ways in order to serve specific customer needs. For instance, two turfs might have wildly different blade density and height but the same amount of yarn and, therefore, the same face weight. Likewise, the amount of material present in the primary and secondary backing can influence how artificial turf is priced.

Keep face weight and total weight in mind while you compare turf prices, as some companies will only advertise their grass’ total weight, making it appear as though their grass is significantly less expensive than competition. If, for example, you see two grasses marked as “100 oz”, one selling at $2.89/square foot and the other at $3.89/square foot, be sure to inquire whether the weight advertised is total weight or face weight. To avoid this confusion, at Purchase Green, we only advertise face weight.

For more guidance on determining which artificial turf is best for you, start by taking a look at our knowledge base guide on “application.”

Turf Tech and “Premium” Prices

The second-most influential factor in determining how artificial turf is priced is the kinds of materials used to manufacture it. There is a wide array of new high-tech materials that improve turf performance by extending its lifespan, making it cooler, expediting rainwater drainage, increasing durability, etc. Luckily, these high-tech materials usually don’t significantly drive up the cost of manufacturing and, therefore, the cost to the customer. As you shop around, however, you may find hefty price tags on these turfs that incorporate high-tech materials. This often has little to do with the cost of these new materials. Many merchants will mark them up as “premium” turfs simply because they feature a new technology. At Purchase Green, we believe in offering the broadest array of turf at the most competitive prices. Because of this, our turf is priced by material weight, be it high-tech or not.

Foreign Import Tariffs and the Middle Man

Perhaps the biggest change in artificial turf prices came last year from tariffs on goods imported from China. The roughly 25% increase in cost to U.S. merchants who import from China has been transferred largely to the customer, resulting in hiked retail prices. However, not all turf importers have been equally affected by the tariffs. Our strategic maneuvering has allowed us to maintain a wholesale supply channel, keeping our cost down and offering the lowest price on the market to our customers. Furthermore, manufacturing our own products means we eliminate the need for a “middle man”, giving us direct control over quality, and allowing us to keep our competitive low prices.

In Conclusion

We hope this post has helped demystify how artificial turf is priced, making your search for turf simpler. If you have any questions or need more guidance, feel free to give us a call or visit one of our stores. Check out our knowledge base for the nitty-gritty on all things artificial turf.

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