How to Choose Artificial Grass: 7 Tips to Consider

If you love the look of a lush, green lawn but hate the watering, mowing, and constant yard upkeep, artificial grass may be the right choice for your yard. Choosing the right artificial grass is important, and there are so many options to choose from. Learn what to look for when choosing artificial grass so you can make the right decision for a picture-perfect yard. 

1. Learn the Terminology

Artificial grass is complicated—you’ve probably heard the word “turf” thrown around, but there are a handful of other terms you should learn.

Backing

The backing is vital because it helps your artificial grass hold up when foot traffic gets heavy. There are two types of backing—primary and secondary—that work together to stabilize your artificial grass. 

• Primary backing helps the artificial grass lie in tufts and is made of durable fabric.

• Secondary backing is the coating that locks everything in place.

Look for a backing weight of 26 ounces and above to ensure you choose good-quality turf.

Density

Artificial grass is stitched together, and the density is the number of blades that are stitched together per square inch. The higher the density, the higher the quality of artificial grass.

Face Weight

The amount of ounces per square yard of turf is known as the face weight. Like density, a heavier face weight means a better quality turf, so look for higher numbers when considering face weight.

Infill

Infill plays several roles in your artificial grass, including stabilizing the fibers to make it look more realistic, cushioning your feet, and preventing sun damage. You can also choose an infill that’s anti-odor, antimicrobial, or cooling. Often constructed from silica sand or crumb rubber, infill is the substance that prevents your turf from staying flattened when people walk on it.

Pile Height

Like the yarn fibers in carpeting, the pile height of your artificial grass is the height of the blades. Look for a pile height of 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches for the lushest, most realistic-looking lawn. Heights of 3/8 to 5/8 inches are best for high-traffic areas.

Sub-Base

The sub-base is the layer of materials, often sand, granite, river rocks, or gravel, that you put underneath your artificial grass to keep it smooth. Putting artificial grass on top of dirt will cause it to develop flaws like dimples and dents as the soil expands and contracts when wet or dry.

Thatch

Thatch is fibers of different colors and textures that mimic natural grass. Sometimes thatch is tan and curlier or coarser, and it gives your artificial lawn a more natural look than just the turf fibers.

2. Examine Your Needs

It helps if you consider a few things closely before choosing your artificial lawn. Some questions to answer for yourself are:

• Will the turf be in the sun or shade?

• Do you get a lot of standing water in the area?

• How much foot traffic do you expect?

• Will your pets be using the artificial grass?

Once you have answers to those questions, you can research different offerings. Each listing should specify which turf is best for each scenario.

It’s also important to consider how your artificial grass will be used when deciding which turf material to pick. 

• Polypropylene turf is the most budget-friendly option, but it doesn’t hold up well to heavy use. This material works best for decorative uses in areas that don’t get foot traffic.

• Nylon turf is durable and strong but retains water, which can cause it to wear down quickly. Select nylon if you don’t get much rainfall and are planning to install the turf in a high-traffic area.

• Polyethylene turf offers the most natural look, won’t retain water, and is extremely durable. It’s a great choice for almost any use but is also the most expensive.

3. Sample, Sample, Sample

Most artificial grass suppliers will be happy to send you samples of whichever types of turf you want to try if you request them. Doing your online research is essential, but don’t buy artificial grass before you can feel it for yourself. By getting samples, you can examine the color, density, pile height, face weight, and overall quality before making a big purchase. 

4. Take Your Climate Into Account

If you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, choosing artificial grass that’s right for your lawn and has good drainage is extremely important. Even if you don’t live in an area with high precipitation, standing water on your turf can be unsightly and difficult to remove. 

• Artificial grass with 100% permeable backing allows water and pet urine to flow through and lets the sub-base and dirt under the turf absorb the moisture.

• If you live in an area with lower precipitation, hole-punched backing has holes punched every few inches to let liquid flow through to the underlayer.

5. Figure Out Your Budget

There’s a pretty wide variety of options available when it comes to artificial grass. On average, artificial grass costs around $4,700, with a typical range of $2,800 to $6,700. It’s a significant investment, and determining your budget in advance will help you pick the most appropriate type at a cost point that won’t break the bank. You’ll also need to consider the cost of hiring an artificial grass installer.

6. Don’t Forget Maintenance

With artificial grass, you get what you pay for when it comes to maintenance—the more you spend on the front end, the less you’ll have to pay for maintenance. However, other factors, such as weather and wear, can contribute to how much care you’ll need to do on your turf annually. In general, however, artificial grass maintenance is much less intensive than regular grass maintenance.

7. Check the Warranty

Not all warranties are created equal—some offer much more protection than others. As with all warranties, you should carefully review the fine print to determine what is and is not covered before buying your turf. Look for a warranty that specifies UV stability and fiber loss to guard against fading and ensure the company will repair your turf if the fibers don’t stay intact. The fibers are critical to your lawn's appearance, so having that included in the warranty is a huge bonus.