Types Of Artificial Turf

Artificial grass or astroturf, as it is often called, has widely replaced real grass lately, that too, across a vast majority of settings. This popularity, of course, stems from the usage convenience and cost-saving that come along. Synthetic or artificial grass practically requires no maintenance and can be added to just about every place, unlike growing a natural lawn or garden.

However, in order to reap all the benefits of this product, it is more than crucial to get the right type, essentially the one which suits a given area’s condition and can keep up with its usage. Seems like a lot of work? Grass Carpet is at your service to walk you through all the types of fake turf and help you decide on the perfect one for your desired use.

All Types Of Artificial Grass Explained | Choosing The Best For Your Needs

Up ahead, we will be talking about all the existing versions of artificial grass in Dubai. For maximum ease, we have segregated the options across different categories, so that you can conveniently map out the one that would work best for you.

1- Material-based Grass Types

Artificial grass, unlike what you might believe, gets crafted from more than one material. All these synthetic material options are meant to cater to different usage scenarios.

• Nylon Grass

Fake grass made from nylon is, by far, the sturdiest of all. It is heat-resistant and also tough against other atmospheric conditions as well as impact intensity. Because of a heavy-duty profile, it is widely used as sports-grade turf and in all other busy settings.

• Polypropylene Grass

Polypropylene or PP grass comes with a rather minimal strength and resilience. This is why it’s mainly utilized for decorative purposes such as designing live walls or faux gardens. It is also very budget-friendly, as compared to grasses made from other fibers.

• Polyethylene Grass

PE grass stands out with its incredibly realistic look and if you want to create a lawn or garden that’s greatly convincing like a real one, Polyethylene grass is the product to go for. Moreover, it is quite plush in texture and can last for longer periods of time.

2- Available Pile Heights 

There are three main categories of synthetic turf on the basis of pile height. This essentially refers to how long the blades of a grass are (base to tip), excluding any backing layers.

• Short Pile Grass

The height of this grass is under 20 mm and it is meant for busy areas or those that receive a lot of impact such as pet playing spaces, sports grounds or golf putting greens.

• Medium Pile Grass

This one has a height between 20 mm and 40 mm. It’s a reasonable mid-range option that works fine for many settings including sports and playground use and landscaping.

• Long Pile Grass

This is the most premium option, reaching more than 40 mm in height. Because of this, it has a very lush, fuller, and attractive look, something you’d want in your home lawn.

3- Grass Density Levels

Artificial grass also has varying density levels for different usage types. We have mentioned the most common ones ahead and their salient features as well.

• Low Density Turf

This turf comes with 10,000 to 15,000 stitches per square meter. It is just moderately realistic-looking but very affordable and lightweight too. Therefore, it can be considered for decorative applications and is a decent alternative to real grass for temporary setups. However, it may require infill for proper positioning and performance.

• Medium Density Turf

The stitches of this grass are between 16,000 and 18,000 for a square meter. Its moderate fiber space offers a good balance of softness and longevity. The appearance of this turf is quite realistic and it works fine for residential landscaping and decorative setups in balconies or terraces. It does, however, need brushing at times to stay upright.

• High Density Turf

This grass has up to 18,000 to more than 20,000 stitches in a square meter. It is extremely soft hence very comfortable underfoot. Though a bit expensive, it gives off the most lifelike grass look and can last for longer time spans too. With this grass, you can design the most impressive deluxe lawns, commercial gardens and sports fields too.

4- Backing Material Options

Fake grass products have backings for a number of reasons. The foremost ones are that backings keep turf patches durable and in the right position. Besides, they are also crucial for proper drainage and have a huge impact on the overall performance of the grass.

• PU Backing

PU or polyurethane backing is highly sturdy, heavy-duty, water-resistant and quite flexible too. It best suits high traffic areas and is also a great choice for fake turf which will be installed in areas for pets. Another feature that makes it pet-friendly is that it does not absorb liquids (bodily fluids) so there will be no odors.

This also makes it fairly easy to maintain and it is highly weather-resistant too, which means it can make fake turf survive even in extreme temperatures too. The cost of this backing is high but it’s well worth the benefits. One possible con could be the rigid feel.

• SBR Backing

Latex or SBR (styrene buta-diene rubber) backing is highly flexible and offers good shock absorption too. It is suitable for most residential-grade uses such as in lawns, pavements, gardens and other moderate-traffic areas or landscapes. The pricing of this backing is affordable as compared to that of the PU backing and it offers decent cost-effectivity.

But its structure and durability can be compromised if it gets exposed to way too harsh conditions over time, like excessive heat. Too much moisture may also cause problems like mold growth or cracks. Ensuring balanced temperatures and proper care is essential.

• PP Backing

Polypropylene (PP) backing has a lightweight profile. While it is not designed for intense uses, it does perform well for basic aesthetic setups and establishments. This is to say that it can be used in areas that don’t receive a lot of traffic like indoors and it works for temporary arrangements too.

If you need a budget-friendly backing, then PP backing can be a fine option because of appropriate dimensional stability. But do take good care of the grass and avoid its exposure to intense weather conditions.

• Dual Backing

A dual or hybrid backing either combines Polyurethane (PU) and Polypropylene (PP) or Polyurethane and Latex. This kind of structure imparts it with excellent resilience and durability, making it suitable for all heavy-duty applications. This backing is widely recommended for all sports facilities and other commercial applications.

The topmost pros of this grass are greater flexibility, durability and the ability to offer perfect drainage systems for all synthetic grasses. It is a bit costlier than all single-material backings but worth the money because of the impressive performance.

• Recyclable Backings

These backings are eco-friendly and help minimize impact on nature. They contain natural or recycled materials like Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), Bio-based Polyurethane (Bio-PU), Jute and Cork. Being sustainable, these backings are great for responsible landscaping and green decorations.

They can also be recycled which adds to their eco-friendliness. However, they can be rare and hence somewhat expensive as compared to other options. But they pay off well and most importantly, they’re an excellent approach to save the environment.

Bonus Advice About Buying Fake Grass 

Now that you are well aware of what the different versions of synthetic turf have to offer, we have some helpful tips and tricks to streamline your purchase and to make it beneficial for you.

• Purpose Specific: Always get fake grass from the exact category as your intended use. You can find specialized options for every need such as landscaping grass, pet-friendly turf, playground or sports-grade grass and indoor astroturf.

• Usage Intensity: Do take into account all the foot traffic, impact and weather conditions that your fake grass carpets will be subjected to. A good rule of thumb in this regard is to get low-pile grass for busy, high-traffic spaces and vice versa.

• Upkeep Needs: Whichever option you go with, ensure grasping all details about its maintenance. A few common examples in this regard are grasses that require regular brushing or weed killer applications. Avoid way too high-maintenance options.

• Installation Essentials: Make sure the installation gets done properly and all base elements like infill materials and backing must also be compatible with both the grass type and area use. Allow proper acclimation, flattening and take care of blade alignment.
• Aesthetic Preferences: Opt for high-pile and denser options if you seek a lush, lively and realistic-looking grass patch. You may also consider using multiple shades to bring about a lifelike and visually attractive look, such as deep, lime or olive hues.

Lastly

This was our time with a detailed take on all the available versions of synthetic turf. From material-based types to standard measurements, we have taken you through all the necessary aspects that help determine the right turf type for a certain requirement. Since installing fake grass is a fairly detailed (and sometimes costly!) project, the need for making accurate selection needs no emphasis. We greatly hope to have provided you with all the aid you seek for your next fake grass landscaping project.