Before You Buy Artificial Grass

For Do-It-Yourselfers
If you have done backyard landscape work in the past (sodding, pavers, etc.), your grass area is 200sf or smaller and you're working with one continuous grass area, then you can easily take on a synthetic turf project yourself. 

By doing some online research and reviewing some YouTube videos on how to install artificial grass, we think you can do a decent job yourself.

When installing yourself, you'll want to consider the following professional tips:

  • Turf orientation - Face turf grain towards the vantage point from which you'll be looking at your artificial grass most. All synthetic grass has an orientation or lean or grain to it.  When the 'grain' is facing towards you the grass will appear the richest and darkest.  To determine turf grain, hold a sample in your had and turn it 90-degrees while holding in the sunlight.  You'll immediately know what we're talking about.
  • Base material composition (smooth vs jagged stones) and granularity - Choose a gravel base material such as finely crushed limestone or finely crushed and decomposed granite.  Never use Pea Gravel.  See Turf Terms for more.
  • When ordering new synthetic turf, consider the turf typically come in carpet-like rolls that are 15-feet wide.

For All Others
We recommend you find a local synthetic grass install specialist or expert.  General landscapers who have installed at least 6 or more yards may also be an acceptable option.  We think that after getting a have a dozen installs under their belts, generalist landscapers still won't be as good as a specialist, but they'll likely have gotten some mistakes, such as turf orientation, behind them.
 
Choosing Your TurfYour local turf retailer or turf Installer are perhaps your most valuable resources when selecting your synthetic turf.  They can show you a variety of turf samples and tell you a little or a lot about each choice.

See Some Yards
The best way to find how synthetic turf looks and feels is to see it in someone’s yard. Ask your turf supplier, local dealer or turf installer to give you references so that you can see and feel artificial turf in an installed environment.

The next best thing to seeing yards is to see samples.
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Disclaimer:The information contained on this website is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon exclusive of advice from turf manufacturers or turf installers. Rather, this free turf Information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your artificial grass manufacturer, reseller, retailer or installer. Before you use any of the information provided in this site, you should seek the advice of a qualified professional.

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