Not all artificial grass is created equal. If you’re planning a synthetic grass installation for your home or business, it’s important to carefully consider which products and installation accessories to use for your project in order to ensure the best and highest-quality outcome.

If you cut corners on your turf quality, you could be left with a lawn that looks fake, feels unpleasant, or lasts a fraction of the time it should. To get the most out of your landscaping investment, do your due diligence and keep an eye out for these key aspects of high-quality synthetic grass.

Stay Away From Shine

You may be initially lured in by the luster of some synthetic grass products, but shiny turf products should actually be avoided. Natural grass tends to be more matte, so a shiny synthetic grass product will instantly give away your lawn as being fake.

In addition to looking low-quality, shiny turf blades also reflect sunlight more, which in turn can create a more unpleasant atmosphere with blinding glares, burning hot surface temperatures, and even long-term turf damage. If you’re not sure how shiny your grass should be, request turf samples and compare them to your natural grass for an idea of how matte real sod is.

Pay Attention to Thatch

Having dual blade tones is an important component of creating a realistic turf product, but oft-overlooked thatch is just as crucial. Thatch is the thin, curly grass fibers you see under the grass blades. Thatch is meant to replicate the appearance of dead grass, which, though typically undesirable, is an important part of creating a realistic turf product. Thatch blades also provide additional stability for the grass blades and allow them to stay upright more easily.

When browsing synthetic grass products, make sure that the product you choose has thatch blades. Tan thatch blades are often the most realistic and natural-looking, although chocolate and green thatch options are also available to further enhance the realism of your lawn.

Note the Blade Shape

You may not immediately notice a difference between the grass blades of different synthetic turf products, but each turf product has fibers manufactured with a specific blade shape. Blade shapes are typically in the shape of an “S,” “C” or “W,” although there are up to a dozen unique options.

These dynamic blade shapes make the turf appear more realistic and give more volume and movement to the grass. It also helps them remain resilient so they can be used in high foot traffic applications without becoming matted. When picking out a turf product, avoid products that have flat blade shapes. These are the most susceptible to matting and damage due to the lack of structure to provide durability.

Ensure Adequate Drainage

Drainage is one of the most important functional aspects of a turf grass installation. Your turf needs to be able to efficiently drain away all water and pet urine from your property, or your lawn could become waterlogged. Standing water can become a major concern for your lawn, your family’s health and safety, and your home’s foundation, so ensuring adequate drainage is one of the most important steps in choosing your synthetic grass product.

Different turf products have different backing options and various drainage rates. When choosing your wholesale artificial turf, consider your local weather conditions, whether you have any pets, or whether your lawn will otherwise be exposed to water on a regular basis. This will help determine what drainage rate is ideal for your home. As a general rule, all high-quality turf should have a drainage rate of at least 30 inches per hour per square yard.

Know Where You’re Installing

The intended use of your turf grass will dictate what type of wholesale synthetic grass product is best for your project. Whether you’re installing on a balcony, roof deck, front lawn, or commercial pavilion, there are a range of functional needs that will require different durability levels, drainage rates, installation accessories, and more.

If you’re installing a kid-friendly play area, IPEMA-certified playground turf is always a good idea. There’s also pet turf created especially for pet-friendly applications, as well as synthetic grass putting green for those who want to practice their short game. Speak with your installer about how you intend to use your new artificial grass backyard so they can choose the right product for your one-of-a-kind project.

If you need guidance in choosing the right artificial turf, speak to your installer or contact your local Synthetic Grass Warehouse location today. We can help you find the perfect synthetic grass products for your home or business’s unique needs. Synthetic Grass Warehouse has been an industry leader for more than 20 years, helping distributors, installers and homeowners alike with all their artificial grass installation needs. To find out more about artificial grass wholesale or to receive guidance with your next turf grass installation, contact your local Synthetic Grass Warehouse facility today.