Types of Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is a great alternative for home and business lawns and landscaping. It’s durable, looks and feels like real grass, and requires a whole lot less attention, time, effort, and money than a traditional grass lawn.
In a state like Texas where the summer temperatures routinely get above 100 degrees, grass lawns can take a beating. Between the intense sun, unbearable heat, and lack of consistent rain in certain parts of the state, natural grass can quickly turn brown and die in a matter of weeks without ongoing care and maintenance. Even in not-so-hot states, grass lawns need a certain level of care and investment to keep them looking nice year-round.
Real grass lawns are easily taken over by weeds and other invasive plant species. They can become filled with dead patches and require constant mowing and trimming, and owners can spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, annually to keep real grass lawns watered and healthy.
Many home and business owners have decided to switch to artificial lawns, and they sport green, lush yards throughout the year without all the extra fuss.
If you are interested in understanding more about artificial grass for your home or business project, the first step is determining which type of artificial grass you want for your property. There are three different types of artificial grass, and they are each made of a different type of synthetic plastic material:
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- Nylon
Polypropylene
Polypropylene artificial grass has been around since the 1970s. This material can create thin and soft blades of artificial grass, and it is highly rated for high foot traffic and use. Polypropylene is resistant to moisture absorption as well, and it’s extremely durable.
For homeowners, this option is recommended for yards with kids or those who like to entertain regularly. For business owners, this option is recommended for properties that have thoroughfare transition areas or large spaces for entertainment or gatherings.
Polypropylene is a very cost-effective option for artificial grass as it is the cheapest on the list in terms of manufacturing costs.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene artificial grass has the ability to handle a range of densities and is becoming one of the more popular artificial grass materials on the market right now. It is very realistic looking and feeling, more so than polypropylene, but it is not as durable as polypropylene.
For home and business owners, polyethylene is a great option for a “look, but don’t touch” or lounging kind of lawn. While this does not mean a polyethylene artificial lawn cannot be walked on, and polyethylene can definitely handle a level of wear and tear, it’s not the top option for constant foot traffic.
Nylon
Nylon artificial grass is the oldest material in the group and has been used since 1965. Nylon artificial grass is actually made of individual nylon fibers or turf fibers. It looks and feels like real grass and is able to be manufactured in a variety of thickness levels, so it has a wide range of applications.
This option boasts an extremely high resistance to fading and UV radiation, so it is a great choice for areas with direct sun. Nylon is actually a very popular option for golf courses in states like Arizona, for example, and is a great material for rooftop patios or decks.
Its design is also abrasion resistant, so it’s long lasting and stands up to wear and tear well. This abrasion resistance though can cause what’s known as “turf burn” if someone falls or lands hard on the lawn.
Nylon artificial grass is the most expensive option in the group, but it’s a popular choice for many homes and businesses because of its resilience.
Note: Artificial grass lawns are a fantastic option for homes and businesses across uses, and there are pet-friendly materials as well. Artificial grass materials can also be mixed and matched, so more resilient types can be installed in high foot traffic areas while less resilient types can be installed on the borders.
There are pros and cons to each type of artificial grass discussed above, so it’s important for home and business owners to think through exactly what they want from their lawn, yard, or landscaping space. This is also where a lawn expert can jump in and help, like our team at Clearfork Lawncare.
To learn more about your options, including artificial varieties that can withstand the heat and drought conditions often experienced in Texas, visit Best Grass Types for Texas Weather.
Residential and Commercial Landscape Design in DFW
At Clearfork Lawncare, our goal is to be a leader in the landscape industry in the greater Dallas–Fort Worth area, and that includes artificial grass design and installation. We have partnered with Artillery Artificial Turf to provide residents and business owners alike with the best alternative for their lawn, yard, or greater landscaping needs.
Give us a call or contact us via our online form to receive more information and to request a free quote on your next home or business lawn project.