Your Guide to Artificial Grass

When it comes to interior and exterior design, I think that one thing people tend to write off is artificial grass, often called turf.  A lot of people seem to have the misconception that it is harmful for the environment or not sustainable, but if you get the correct kinds, that is not true.  I know – it surprised me too!

If you want to learn more about what turf is and whether it could be a good idea for you to use in your landscaping or otherwise, feel free to keep reading!  I will be explaining this, as well as describing some of the different types.  Each has its own pros and cons, after all, so we should try to learn as much as we can!

What is Artificial Grass?

If you have ever been to a sports field like a football or baseball stadium, you have probably at least seen it.  It is a type of grass that is made of synthetic fibers.  It is intended to have a naturalistic appearance despite this, though, which is what makes it so appealing. 

Now, in regard to what it is made of, there is usually a form of crumb-like items that are called infill.  Often, they are made of recycled tired – so, that is a point in terms of sustainability.  Recycling rubber is a good thing!

That being said, infill is not entirely necessary, and there are ongoing studies about its safety in terms of exposure for us.  There have not been any conclusive findings just yet, so I would say that the jury is still out there.  Just bear that in mind as you are shopping for turf.

Why Use it Over Natural Grass?

This is the other main thing that people wonder about during discussions of turf.  Why use it over the natural grass, and why is it so popular, anyway?  You can see some examples of uses here, http://www.artificialgrassliquidators.com, but as I mentioned earlier their primary utilization is in sports fields. 

This started back in the mid nineteen-sixties, in nineteen sixty-four when the first recreation area was covered in it.  However, it did not become overly popular until two years later, after several stadiums had attempted to use natural fields and it did not go well.  Part of that is related to the many injuries that can occur while playing sports.

You see, the harder ground and muddy terrain can worsen this.  Baseball, Canadian and American football, cricket, field hockey, rugby, tennis, golf, and motor racing are just some examples of where it can be used.  Baseball and football seem to be the biggest places where it is applied, but golf is fairly popular as well.

I think that turf for golfing can actually be better than natural grass, if only for the water conservation.  After all, the country clubs with huge golfing fields that need to be watered daily are using a lot of fresh water that could go to other purposes. 

What Else Can it be Used For, though?

Obviously, not everyone who gets artificial grass is making a sports field.  So, what might they be doing?  A big one is landscaping.  You can see more details about that on this page.  There are mixed thoughts about this, though, so try to remember that if you are considering it for your exterior design.

I would say in general, try to source yours responsibly and ethically.  If you get the types that are eco-friendly, for example, you likely will not face some of the issues that can come from using it for your lawn in certain parts of the country.  Usually, that comes from any concerns about pollution or water usage, so if you can reduce it, I doubt anything will happen.

One concern that a lot of people have is safety.  After all, there seem to be new scares about cancer threats or ways things are harmful to us.  One thing that many of us worry about is whether it is safe for our pets in particular, since they go out into the yard (especially dogs).

Thankfully, there is little evidence that it can cause any harm to our pets.  So, if you have reservations about it because of that, I will say go for it!  Something that is nice about turf is that it is not damaged by pet urine either, so you can just clean it with no stress. 

All in all, artificial grass is a solid investment for beautifying a yard without having to spend too much time on maintaining it.  And, if you are making a sports field, it is pretty much a no-brainer to go with turf.  For those reasons, it is worth it to start researching what type might be a good fit for you!

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