Artificial Turf Myths

There are a lot of concerns people have when they start considering a move to artificial turf. There are common myths about artificial turf that people take as fact.

Will fake grass be safe for pets and children? Does artificial turf require maintenance? Will my fake grass look, well, fake?

We’ve debunked 7 big myths about artificial turf that will help you decide what product is right for your lawn.

Myth #1: Artificial Turf is not suitable for pets.

Dog lovers are very welcome!

The fact is, that artificial turf might be one of the best options for your pet.

Sorry to say, one of the big killers of real grass is your dog.

The digging.

The scratching.

The urination.

We’ve all seen beautiful natural landscapes ruined by the constant toll of a few energetic pets. In a few short months, that pristine dog run can be transformed by potholes, mud, and dry, brown grass—the maintenance is endless!

Pet’s (and their owners) love synthetic turf!

It’s true. Turf has come a long way from the fake mats your grandma had. When installed correctly, they have great drainage, are easy to maintain, and are a breeze to clean.

At IntegriTurf, we work with you to choose the type of turf, infill, and drainage system to fit perfectly with the look and usage you have in mind. Many pet-friendly options will make having an artificial lawn the best option for your pet’s needs.

Myth #2: Fake Grass looks awful!

When people begin to consider synthetic grass, they only have one image in mind—those ugly astroturf mats from the 70s.

Advancements in turf have come a long way since then. Now thousands of parks and homeowners across the country are installing synthetic grass because it looks beautiful year-round.

Installing artificial grass is a great option in drought-prone areas where using gallons of water daily is not an option. Modern turf is designed to have a natural look and feel that could fool almost anyone.

Being eco-friendly never looked so good!

Myth #3: Fake Grass gets too hot!

Product is everything with this one. Indeed, synthetic grass does not benefit from a natural water supply coursing through each blade and root, acting as a natural heat reducer. But there are many options to consider that will significantly reduce the summer scorch.

Lighter colors absorb less of the sun’s rays, reducing overall heat. We also off a variety of infills that are designed to remain cooler.

On big sports fields, the infill is typically comprised of shredded tire rubber, which helps with impact and injury prevention, but can become scorching hot in direct sunlight. In residential playgrounds, several better options are still safe, non-toxic, and cooler.

After all that, a light spray with a hose is often all that’s needed to cool down the lawn enough for kids or pets to enjoy your new lawn.

Myth #4: Artificial Lawns have poor drainage.

Here we have a case of “blaming the product for a poor install!” The reality is a properly installed lawn will have excellent drainage. Sometimes even better than the natural lawns out there. The odd gopher, heavy rain, and pet can create uneven pockets in “the real thing” that will accumulate too much water over time. But our artificial turf products are designed to keep your lawn from soggy mishaps.

Make sure you check out our installation tips on our other page. We start with a properly landscaped and graded base comprised of large to small granite, rocks, and sand. This ensures that water will drain faster than packed earth. With the turf itself, we install proper drainage holes and ensure that the whole lawn is sloped in the right direction.

Taking the time to install your turf properly upfront will mean it drains even better than a natural lawn. Plus, you won’t have those pesky critters and mudslides messing up your manicured area.

Myth #5: Artificial Grass is too expensive.

Installing artificial grass indeed has a higher upfront cost. The cost for high-quality products and professional grass installation is more per square foot than seed or sod. However, there are a lot of other factors to weigh before making your decision.

While the upfront costs may be high, the long-term investment can start saving you a ton of money. Turf is very low-maintenance, uses less water, you no longer need harmful herbicides or fertilizers, and you save countless hours you used to spend weeding and mowing your natural lawn.

You do need to factor in that initial cost, but if you’re considering an artificial grass lawn for a play area, a business, or backyard that will see years of use, the long-term investment will pay off.

Myth #6: Not suitable for Children.

When fake playground surfaces were first created, they seemed far more dangerous than a natural environment.

One misconception about fake grass comes from the black shredded tire bits used for infill. They were hot, smelly, and possibly filled with harmful chemicals.

The good news is that now artificial grass looks and feels more like the real thing. We have several options to make it safe to play, fall down, and roll around on. More parents and playground designers are choosing artificial grass than ever before.

Myth #7: Fake Grass has zero maintenance.
This is one of those common myths that are only partially false.

The truth is that real grass has way more maintenance and yearly cost per square foot than our artificial lawns—the mowing! The weeding! The watering!

But there is still a minimal amount of maintenance required to help your yard look fresh.

You’ll want to rake and pick up any leaves or debris and lightly rinse your yard periodically to get rid of any dust. If you do have pets, you’ll want to rinse it every few days to ensure there’s no build-up of bacteria and ammonia smell.

Finally, you’ll want to add more infill periodically depending on how often it’s walked on and how windy your area is.

Our customers are shocked at how little it takes to maintain a high-quality yard when they make the shift. IntegriTurf is here to help you choose the best for your needs.