10 Things You Need to Know Before Installing Artificial Grass
02.
How Much Will It Cost?
There are many factors involved in determining the cost of installing an artificial grass lawn, but typical installations range from about $9 to $18 per square foot.
Primary Cost Factors
Within each of these factors, there are many variables and that is why the range is so large. Plus, material and labor costs vary greatly from one region of the country to another. Your local Purchase Green team member can help with providing a more accurate estimate for your project.
03.
Who Installs Artificial Grass?
Pro Partners
By and large, most artificial grass lawn and landscaping installations are either too large or too complex for most DIYers. Due to the extensive process, most people opt to work with a Purchase Green Pro Partner.
Do it Yourself
Can I Install a Small Job Myself?
While bigger installation jobs typically require a larger crew with access to specialized tools and heavier equipment, many smaller projects fit more into a DIY category.
04.
Is it safe for my kids?
Absolutely. All Purchase Green grasses are lead-free and non-toxic. They do not require fertilizers, pesticides or other chemicals to maintain their appearance and are generally less attractive to spiders and other insects that thrive in natural grass lawns.
They also remain softer year round and eliminate issues with dead spots that can make backyard playgrounds and play areas more dangerous. Plus, a synthetic lawn is an excellent alternative for kids that have grass related allergies as artificial grass reduces the itchiness that can sometimes happen when kids play on natural lawns.
05.
Will I need to clean it?
For the most part, artificial grass lawns and landscaping require very little maintenance. Typically, all that is required is a leaf blower or stiff bristled broom for occasional cleaning. For lightly soiled areas and pet areas you can use a kid friendly, pet friendly, environmentally friendly cleaner such as Purchase Green’s Turf Cleaner or Turf Wash. Some customers like to freshen up the infill periodically by brooming the grass and adding more infill.
06.
How long will it last?
While artificial grass athletic fields are generally replaced every 10 years, most artificial grasses used for lawns and landscaping have an expected life span of 15 to 20 years. The lifespan is somewhat related to the quality of the installation, the amount of abuse the lawn takes, and other factors, but most customers will enjoy a relatively low-maintenance lawn that looks good 365 days a year for about two decades.
07.
Does the grass get really hot in the summer?
Synthetic grass does get a bit warmer than a natural lawn when exposed to direct, mid-day sun. This can be mitigated to some degree by choosing grasses with Purchase Green’s Cool Yarn technology and staying away from the crumb rubber infills typically used in artificial grass athletic fields.
08.
Will extreme weather (rain, sun, snow) hurt it?
Rain
Our artificial grass for lawns and landscaping drain at rates in excess of 27” per square yard per hour.
Heat & Sun
Our artificial grasses have handled the desert sun and heat of the Southwest for decades.
Snow & Cold
Frigid temps have little impact on artificial grass and snow just acts like an insulative blanket.
09.
Can my pets use the lawn?
In short – yes. When artificial grass is being installed in areas used by pets you may need to pay more attention to the style of grass you choose. Short, dense artificial grasses are the easiest to clean and very wear resistant, but they tend to look less like a natural lawn. Tall, fine bladed grasses tend to look and feel the best but they will be more difficult to clean. A Purchase Green representative can help you balance out appearance and function to best meet your needs.
Pet owners also typically opt for a premium infill like our Optifill, Wonderfill, or Zeodorizer products. These premium infills break down the ammonia buildup in pet urine and are extremely effective. For even further protection, we recommend the use of a deodorizer and sanitizer, like Turf Wash.
10.
Is Artificial Grass Environmentally Friendly?
There is some debate on how environmentally friendly artificial grass is as it is primarily made from plastic and there are challenges with recycling it. However, not only has the industry improved manufacturing to produce safer PFAS free products with safe infill systems (not ground rubber tires), but artificial grass is still inherently environmentally friendly for these reasons.
▶ 9 billion gallons of water
are used each day in the US for watering lawns and gardens, which is roughly 1/3 of all residential water use.
▶ 80 million pounds of pesticide
are applied on US lawns annually to support lush lawns.
▶ 800 Million gallons of gas
In the United States, gas-powered lawn mowers use 800 million gallons of gas each year!
▶ .6 billion gallons of gasoline
are consumed annually in the United States by small engines used in lawn and garden equipment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
▶ 5% of the Nation’s Air Pollution
is produced by garden equipment engines.
▶ 40-60% OF NITROGEN FROM FERTILIZERS
pollutes local waterways which can kill aquatic life, harm water quality and lead to public health problems.
▶ 70 Million Pounds of Fertilizer
are applied to lawns in the United States.
▶ 43% of VOCs in the US
Gas powered lawn equipment accounted for 43% of VOCs emitted in the US in 2011.
▶ more than 17 million gallons of fuel
are spilled each year during the refilling of lawn and garden equipment — surpassing the amount of oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez.
▶ Yard Waste Accounts for 7.2%
of All U.S. Landfills.
10 Things You Need to Know Before Installing Artificial Grass
- Does it rain a lot where you live?
- Do you have pets or kids?
- How do you clean synthetic grass?
These are all important questions to ask before considering a synthetic grass lawn. Get the answers in this quick fact sheet.
