Beginners Guide to Choosing Artificial Grass

Synthetic turf has become an increasingly popular alternative to live grass in Pittsburgh. With its easy-care and lasting qualities, it's no wonder why many homeowners and businesses alike are making the change. But with a wide variety of alternatives on the market, it can be overwhelming to start shopping. In this novice's manual, you’ll learn some important factors to consider when choosing artificial grass.

Purpose

Ahead of settling on a synthetic grass you like, you have to consider why you want to install artificial grass. Trying to improve your home’s appearance? Searching for better alternatives for your backyard because your dog is always digging? Just seeking for a simple landscaping option that will make your life more convenient? These are all wonderful reasons to seek out artificial grass. Knowing the exact purpose of your installation will help you choose the best choice for your needs.

Care & Upkeep

Something that homeowners and building managers alike can agree on is maintaining natural grass lawns is a lot of work. Shawgrass will take care of the need to mow regularly. So, if you love watering and mowing your lawn, artificial grass might not be for you. But if you want a grass that looks good year in and year out without too much upkeep, you might love our artificial turf. Our turf requires barely any work.

Durability

Durability is not something to take for granted, and this is also true in the landscape business too! As the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for,” that’s very accurate when it comes to choosing turf. You might not think the area you’re installing it in has a lot of activity… until you install an inferior turf selection and start to notice unevenness, loose fibers, or ripping. If you have kids or pets that will be using the area frequently, we can’t speak highly enough of our pet turf and our playground grass. Both are great options for high-traffic areas.

Turf Pile & Color

Faux grass comes in a wide array of colors and blade heights to recreate the grass that is popular in your region. The shape of the blades gives the overall look and feel of the grass, while the tallness will affect how it reacts to foot traffic. To achieve the most natural look, at Last Lawn, we choose Shawgrass who works hard to research and develop the best grass for you. We want to make sure your new lawn has a textured look and feel to imitate real grass.

Infill

Artificial infill refers to the material that is added to the grass after installation that provides shock absorption, stability, and weight. This important feature of artificial grass also helps boost water flow and prevent blades from becoming flat over time. There are tons of options on the market for filler, so to get more information, you should check out the article we put together that breaks down what the different infill materials are and what they are commonly used for.

Backing Surface

The backing system of artificial grass is an essential element to consider. While you might not see it, it is the foundation of your turf surface. A low-quality backing system will lead to poor drainage and durability issues. The backing also helps your grass blades stay upright, withstand heavy use, and resist damage from active play. You’ll end up needing to get a new one sooner than you would with quality turf.

Price

Pricing is one of the final determinators for choosing your synthetic turf. We know how tempting it might be to go for the cheapest option, but you have to consider that high-quality turf will save you money in the future. You’ll have less maintenance and repair. Artificial turf is an investment that you’ll quickly recoup your initial investment on. Check out our price lifecycle outline for more information.

Final Considerations

Picking the appropriate artificial grass for your preferences can be a overwhelming task, but by evaluating these key factors, you can pick the perfect fit. Whether you're looking to enhance your outdoor space or reduce your landscaping costs, Shawgrass has an artificial grass product that will meet your requirements. Take a look at our product selection guide for even more helpful info on our specific artificial grass product offerings.

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