The Lifespan of Artificial Turf | Tampa, FL
March 8, 2017
THE LIFESPAN OF ARTIFICIAL TURF
Over the course of time, we’ve seen many different upgrades to artificial turf products. Everyone remembers the old school Astroturf products. These products had some of the same functionality, but they were nothing like modern artificial grass. Today’s turf is far more durable and lasts much longer, with warranties extending past 10 years. It is made from polypropylene and nylon, which allow them to be resilient against heavy foot traffic. With a solid understanding of how to maintain your artificial turf, it can last up to 25 years. You may not be familiar with how to maintain your artificial turf installation. Luckily, we have plenty of resources about turf maintenance. This article is about some things to keep in mind, when considering the lifespan of artificial turf.
KEEPING YOUR ARTIFICIAL TURF LOOKING GREAT
One of the biggest reasons that people get artificial turf is that it reduces the amount of yard work. We are all familiar with having to mow, edge, reseed, and fertilize our lawns. It takes a lot of time and effort – time that could be spent doing other, more fulfilling things.
With artificial turf, all you need to do is occasionally rinse your turf off, and sometimes fluff the turf. In larger commercial installations, fluffing the turf will involve the use of a power broom. Fluffing the turf is important, especially if your installation is in an area with heavy foot traffic. You’ll definitely want to rake away the organic debris that falls from trees and bushes. When raking, make sure to be gentle with the turf, as it makes the infill looser. Loosening the infill is important because it boosts the blade elevation, making the turf look more natural. It’s also essential to remember to rinse off an area where a dog pees. If you keep these things in mind, your turf installation is very likely to have a long lifespan.
HOW IT’S MADE
One of the things that can influence the lifespan of artificial turf is the quality of the materials. Cheaper artificial turf tends to have a shorter lifespan, and is more likely to decompose over time. It can also experience discoloration very quickly, or be damaged by falling debris. For example, with high quality artificial turf, falling branches aren’t likely to damage it. With poorly made turf, falling branches during a storm can rip through the mesh backing. If you want to extend the lifespan of artificial turf that you buy, make sure that you’re buying the highest quality products.
INFILL MAKES A DIFFERENCE
When getting artificial turf installed, make sure to do your homework about the best kind of infill for your purpose. For example, if you want to get an artificial turf putting green, silica sand is almost always the best choice. Although pet infills are great for front and backyard landscaping projects, they have disadvantages for putting greens. Specifically, sand infill allows to get a smoother roll for a putt, which is essential for improving your short game. On the other hand, selecting a sand infill may not be the best for a dog run because it’s more likely to retain odors from dog urine. Regardless, when buying turf, you need to get the right infill, or the lifespan may not be ideal.
Whatever the application of your turf, we know that the lifespan is important. If you want to learn more about artificial turf, or are ready to set an appointment, contact us today!
