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 Artificial sports turf stays looking fresh and green all year round, unlike natural playing surfaces. It is impossible to maintain a natural grass field in the face of overuse and poor weather. Establishing and maintaining a natural turf requires far more care and attention. Natural grass that is used regularly is challenging to maintain in prime condition. Depending on the season, a grass field needs hours of professional maintenance every week. However, none of these issues exists with synthetic sports turfs. In fact, artificial sports turf is ready for use immediately after installation. With virtually no effort to maintain.

 Every community wants a safe and accessible playing surface for all the people of the city to enjoy, the young and the old. Providing a secure and resilient surface all year round has fast become a priority for many sporting groups. Given the unpredictable nature of weather these days, maintaining a perfectly safe playing surface has become increasingly difficult, if not impossible at some times of the year. Natural grass is subject to disease, and the turf underneath can easily be damaged after heavy rainfall, resulting in bare patches and uneven spots on the surface. These all contribute to a hazardous playing surface for anyone choosing to use it. This can all be avoided by installing synthetic grass.

 Artificial grass is more than what you see professional athletes run around on during a football, baseball, or soccer game. While the first practical application was for a school recreation area, the usefulness and ubiquity of synthetic turf have exploded the last 50 years in a manner its creators may never have imagined.

Artificial Turf: A Brief History

A long time ago – okay, the early 1960s – in a galaxy far, far away – not, ours, in a research lab in the United States state of North Carolina, researchers in lab coats and protective goggles got together and wondered how they could make tougher grass. Eventually, they pooled their collective intelligence and decided the solution was not simply greener grass, but a different kind of turf altogether. Tougher, stronger, and maybe even something that was not green. They decided on artificial grass, realizing that a turf made of plastic would be more durable, easier to maintain, and could be put down in areas that real grass would never grow.

By the mid-1960s, their hard work paid off as synthetic turf began popping up on recreation fields across the United States. Indoor and outdoor, not only for professional athletes but children entertaining themselves on school and community playgrounds.

 A common question that prospective buyers ask when considering artificial grass is, “Can it be repaired?” Synthetic turf is very durable and long-lasting, but that does not mean it is indestructible. It is conceivable that spots can wear out from excessive use, from a sharp object piercing it through to the backing, from a heavy object sitting in one spot for a long time, from an animal digging orbiting it, or any other number of scenarios.

If your backyard has a significant amount of fake turf that is damaged, it is probably a good idea to call in a professional to examine the affected area and help you make an informed decision. There is nothing wrong with getting help for a large job. In this case, a full-scale replacement may be in order.
If you have a small section that is damaged, the best choice is to cut out the bad part and replace it with a new section. To do so, follow these steps:

1. First, put on heavy work gloves.
2. Using a utility knife with a sharp blade, gently begin cutting out the damaged area all the way through to the weed barrier beneath. Cut out a larger section than what has been damaged, as this will give you room to work.
3. Cut a new piece to fit the section of artificial grass that was removed.
4. Apply adhesive to the back of the new piece of artificial turf and press it firmly into the opening where the bad section was removed from.
5. Let it cure.
   When repairing artificial turf, the biggest stumbling block is finding a matching piece. Getting the shade of green to will be challenging. If you cannot locate an exact match, find the next closest color that you feel comfortable with.

What are some types of damage to avoid? Cigarette burns, hot coals from a charcoal barbecue, punctures from sharp tools, and sunlight filtered through glass directly onto the surface of the artificial grass – though that applies to fake turf that has been installed inside, near a window.

 With homeowners staying in their residences longer and seeking to get the most value from what they have, many choose outdoor improvement projects to expand usable green space for eating, relaxing evenings, or gatherings with family and friends. One of the most popular outdoor improvements is adding or refurbishing a wooden deck.

If you have a wooden deck and have grown weary of the faded color of the planks or are sick of stripping and refinishing it every few years, topping it with lush, durable, artificial lawn is a great option. Synthetic turf can be laid on a wood deck – here is what you need, and the steps to follow to make it happen.

• Supplies and tools: Deck cleaner, garden hose, scrub brush, pump sprayer, artificial turf, utility knife and spare blades, synthetic grass adhesive suitable for the outdoor application, turf seam sealer, notched trowel, measuring tape, work gloves, lawn roller.Like building the deck itself, installing it on wood takes a bit of preparation. In advance of laying the artificial grass, you must do the following:
• Clear off the deck, removing all furniture and other objects.
• Use a garden hose to wet the deck.
• Follow a 1-to-1 ratio and mix water and deck cleaner in a pump sprayer. Once the sprayer has been pressurized, spray the deck liberally and allow the cleaner to seep into the wood.
• Use a scrub brush to clean the deck, and spray extra cleaner as necessary. Tip: Do not use a brush with steel bristles, as this will damage the wood surface.

Rinse the deck, making sure all the cleaner has been removed. Repeat as necessary but wait 48 hours before installing the artificial turf. Warning: the deck must be dry beforehand, so the weather conditions must be optimal.

With the deck dry and clear skies above, it is time for the installation of your new artificial grass. Here is what you must do:

1. Artificial turf needs time to “cure” before being installed, so be sure to unroll it and let is lay on a flat surface for at least an hour.
2. Using a tape measure, record the dimensions of the deck where the turf will be installed, but an extra 2 inches to all sides. Then, use a utility knife with a good, sharp blade to cut the fake grass to match these dimensions.
3. Before laying the turf, you must first apply a synthetic grass-friendly glue onto the deck beginning at the back end of the area to be covered. A notched trowel is suggested and should be used at a 45-degree angle while applying the adhesive.
4. As you lay the first piece of synthetic lawn, make sure it overhangs the deck edge the full 2 inches. Press the turf into the glue.
5. Follow step 3 if you need to add more adhesive for additional sections of turf, and be sure the seams between each section butt into one another. At this point, it is recommended using a special sealer for the seam between the sections.
6. Once you have laid all the turf needed, you can begin cutting off the extra 2 inches along the edging.
7. The fake grass needs to set for 24 hours before the deck can be used, but use a heavy roller to ensure the turf backing is compressed into the adhesive.

 If you want an artificial lawn that looks like the real thing, consider an artificial turf made of polyethylene. Polyethylene looks more natural and has a softer texture than nylon and polypropylene. Polyethylene turf also can withstand foot traffic and heat much better than polypropylene. 

Polyethylene turf costs range between $2.55 to $3.85 per square foot. This artificial grass also has good drainage and is non-absorbent, making it an excellent choice for homeowners with pets. 

Pros: 

✓ It looks like real grass

✓ It has a softer texture than nylon and polyethylene

✓ It is more durable than polypropylene

✓ Excellent turf for outdoor use

✓ It is non-absorbent and has good drainage, making it a great turf for pets

Cons: 

✗ Not as durable as nylon, though some high-quality polyethylene turfs can be almost just as durable

Nylon

Old stadium with turf grass

Photo Credit: aka CJ / Flickr / Public Domain

Nylon is the most durable of the three turf types and the most expensive. Prices often range between $5.05 to $$5.83 per square foot. Nylon turf can handle heavy-foot traffic, weight, and hot temperatures — and still retain its original appearance. 

Keep in mind that nylon’s durability can make it stiff. If you’re looking for a softer texture, polyethylene may be the better choice. Nylon is commonly used for sports fields or as putting greens. 

 Your artificial grass material type won’t be the only item affecting your total project spending. Your synthetic turf’s quality will vary depending on its brand and blade shape, leading to higher costs. Need to install grass in a large area? Get out your checkbook or credit card. 

Factors that affect artificial grass cost include: 

Brand: Some manufacturers sell higher quality turfs than others.

Blade Shape: Some blade shapes are more durable and heat-resistant than others.

Area Size: More square footage means paying more for materials and labor. 

Area Shape: Curved areas can make the installation process more difficult. 

Area Location: Costs will vary depending on where you want to install the turf, such as the backyard or rooftop. 

Brand

When shopping around for your artificial grass, you’ll notice that there are many brands to choose from. 

Prices will vary among different manufacturers of artificial grass. Brands selling high-quality turf will typically charge more than brands selling lower-quality turf. Below you’ll find different artificial turf brands and their average turf prices. 

Blade shape

Artificial turf blades come in many shapes. Blade shape can determine how natural the turf looks, how durable it is, and how well it can stand up against high temperatures. Your total spending costs may vary depending on the turf’s blade shape. 

The average cost to install artificial grass is $12.33 per square foot. Homeowners can expect a typical price range between $5.50 and $18.75 per square foot. These averages include the price for the materials and labor. 

Homeowners can expect to pay around $6,165 for artificial grass installation on a 500-square-foot lawn, or between $3,104 and $7,245. Note that the total cost will vary depending on the turf’s brand, your yard’s size, and the turf’s material type. 

Synthetic turf is low-maintenance. It requires no watering, fertilizer, or mowing, which can save you money in the long term. And unlike sod, artificial grass gives you a green lawn all year round.

How Much Does Artificial Turf Cost?

The national average cost of installing artificial grass is $12.33 per square foot. Keep in mind that total costs may vary depending on the turf’s brand and your yard’s size. These estimates include installation and materials.

 At this point in the world’s history there is much ado about global warming. Flooding in places where this was not experienced before have been recorded. And on the other hand, prolonged seasons without enough rain has resulted in huge losses to the agricultural sector. Many of us have experienced first-hand the wrath of Mother Nature. Most of these changes in the ecosystem are said to be man-made.

And because the future belongs to our children, we need to do our part in saving our world. Their world. NOW!

Just this century, the state of Texas has gone from severe drought to relief to extreme flooding to drought again in 2007-2008. It happened again in 2010, according to statistics compiled by Weather.com

The Drought Monitor analysis in the past 15 years shows that there was an unprecedented shift from drought to flood to drought again all within a span of about five months like what has occurred in 2015.

Given that widespread drought has affected many parts of the America, including Texas, we need to be more mindful every time we turn on the tap. A lot of water is used to water lawns in homes and commercial establishments. Behind every good landscaping and competition-worthy sports arena is a grass maintenance routine involving a lot of time and water.

 here are different lengths of grass, the countless cuts of grass that are available and you won’t believe the different colors in the market. Light green, dark green, medium green with shades of brown, Light brown, dark brown and all the shades in between.

It may seem unimportant to the homeowner, but the cut of grass and the color or mix of colors of the grass blades has an impact on the overall look of your garden.

And because you have made a decision to do your part in saving our Earth, reward yourself with a beautiful lawn all year round.

Just be sure that your decision is a well-made one. After all these artificial grasses should last you a long time.