Artificial turf offers all of the advantages of grass without the hassle of upkeep. Whether you’re developing a space for your mini-golf, playground for children, or just dreaming of having the perfect lawn, you need to understand a little something about artificial grass.
As you glance through the various kinds of artificial turf available, you will notice phrases that you’re not acquainted with. Every technical parameter, from face weight to back weight, has a different meaning, and every variation alters the characteristics of the turf. Let’s go through some crucial words you should be aware of when looking for artificial turf.
The following are the seven crucial terms to be aware of:
1. Front Weight
This figure is the number of ounces of yarn needed per square yard of AstroTurf. The longer and denser the turf’s artificial grass is, the higher the face weight. This gives the turf a lusher, more mature appearance, as well as making it softer to tread on. Based on density, face weight is regarded as a crucial measure of total turf quality.
2. Back Weight
The total weight of the primary backing and secondary coating per square yard of turf is referred to as back weight. Because the backing of your artificial turf is what binds it all together, it’s vital that it’s durable. Your backing will be more robust if the back weight is higher. As a result, extensively utilized turf benefits from the largest possible back weight. The average grass has a back weight of roughly 26 ounces (6 ounces of primary backing and 20 ounces of secondary backing). It’s best to stay in this range or slightly higher.
3. Total Weight
This is the total weight of the face and backing materials. Because each grass product is sold differently, it is vital to comprehend this phrase. One variety of turf may have a listed weight of 70 pounds, while another may have a listed weight of 55 pounds. The first option appears to be superior at first glance, but the turf weight is listed differently by the two brands. The grass with a weight of 70 includes both the front and back weights, whereas the turf with a weight of 55 just includes the front weight. When you include the back weight of the second turf, which is 28, the total weight is 83, which is much more than the first choice.
4. Pile Height
The pile height is determined by the length of the turf’s longest blades. Your turf will appear to be a well grown bed of grass with a good pile height. It also has an impact on the turf’s usefulness. Consider matting while deciding which pile height is ideal for your needs. Continuous impact on the turf causes a reduction in pile height (walking, running, etc). If you want your turf’s pile height to be at least 1 inch for the duration of its life, a 1.25-inch option to compensate for matting could be a good choice.
5. Infill
Artificial turf grass blades do not stick up out of their own! The infill is responsible for keeping the blades upright and protecting the grass backing from UV damage. In addition, infill helps the turf maintain its “springy” sensation over time.
6. Roll Width
Turf isn’t set up by slicing a single sheet of material to match your lawn’s measurements. The width of most rolls is 12 to 15 feet, and the length is shortened to fit. Several complete 15-foot roll widths would indeed be necessary for installation on a sports field. However, a small back garden could just need a 12 ft roll width to avoid waste during installation.
7. Yarn
Not all artificial turf is made of the same substance. The yarn type identifies the substance of which the artificial grass is made. Each yarn variety has distinct qualities that make it ideal for specific applications.
Nylon yarn is an excellent choice for producing a lovely lawn. However, because nylon is highly porous, it is not suitable for usage with pets. Polypropylene is incredibly durable, although it is not as visually pleasing as nylon. Polyethylene yarn is an excellent compromise between nylon and polypropylene in terms of visual appearance and toughness.