Choosing the Best Fake Grass for a Stylish Backyard Design

You want to create a stylish, fun, practical backyard design. And you’re thinking about using artificial grass. But maybe you have some questions. How do you choose the best fake grass for your backyard design vision? How expensive is it going to be? Is synthetic turf going to be better for your lawn goals than natural grass?

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Here’s the short answer: artificial grass can be a fantastic foundation for a beautiful, soft, and easy-to-maintain backyard design. You just have to know what features and options to choose, and you have to make sure all your backyard choices work together seamlessly. And that’s why we’re here today – to talk turf details, style tips, and everything else you need to know to realize your outdoor living vision.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Fake Grass

If you’re still on the fence about the whole fake grass vs. natural grass for your backyard decision, we wrote an article you’ll find helpful. It explores the pros and cons of each for a backyard design. But today, I’m talking to everyone who wants to get in on this growing artificial grass trend. We’re focusing on the best practices for choosing the right artificial grass for your outdoor space. But before you’re ready to buy, there are some factors you should consider about your current lawn, as well as your backyard goals.

• Got dogs? Kids? Heavy foot traffic? You’ll want durable, pet-friendly artificial grass options.
• Do you live somewhere that’s consistently hot and sunny? UV-resistance is a must to keep your yard from fading.
• Want that golf course look? Fake grass with a shorter pile height gives you that ‘on the fairway’ feel.
• Are you Aiming for a natural grass vibe? Look for turf options with a thatch layer, longer blade length, and built-in color variation.

If you can’t answer those questions, you might want to hit pause in your process. The wrong artificial grass choice can quickly leave you with a messy, murky, or torn up backyard… which definitely isn’t the stylish look you want. But once you’re armed with the right fake grass shopping intel, you’re ready to dig into the details of your best turf.

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Choosing a Type of Artificial Grass Material

Fake grass has come a long way from AstroTurf. You won’t be looking at short, scratchy, unnaturally-green options these days. Instead, the artificial grass market is filled with a wide range of natural-looking options, made of a number of materials. The most common materials found in high-quality synthetic turf are polyethylene, nylon, and polypropylene.

• Polyethylene: This is today’s most popular option. It’s soft, relatively resilient, and is so popular because it often provides the most natural look.
• Nylon: Nylon is popular because of its resilience to heavy traffic. You won’t get quite as natural of a look as you would with high-end polyethylene turfs, but it’ll stand up to daily wear-and-tear like a champ.
• Polypropylene: This is a great option if you want that putting green vibe, and it’s also often used as a thatch layer alongside other materials.

All of these materials are fabricated to keep their looks while withstanding weather and foot traffic. And it’s pretty likely that once you start your artificial grass search, you’ll actually find many modern artificial lawn solutions use more than one of these materials. For example, it’s fairly common for customers to choose a polyethylene and nylon blend, which is built to last but still soft enough for picnics and cartwheels. (Obviously, picnics and cartwheels are the traditional, time-tested method of proving the quality of a backyard.)

Pile Height and Density Explained

What’s pile height? Simply put, it’s the length of the grass blades. Taller pile heights tend to look more natural, but shorter pile heights are a bit more resilient. And then there’s density, which is the number of blades per square inch. A thicker density usually creates a more lush look, but often costs more of your budget. These two qualities can really dictate the look of your lawn.

Lower pile heights (under 1.5″) are ideal for:

• High-traffic areas
• Homes with pets
• Modern, manicured looks

Taller pile heights (over 1.5″):

• Create a lusher, more natural appearance
• Are softer to sit and play on
• Require more maintenance to avoid matting

I often see customers going with a 1.75″ pile in a mid-range density. That way they end up with an artificial lawn that looks totally natural but is still practical for most backyard party needs. One thing to remember, though, is that tall piles can be a pain to clean. If you have kiddos who are likely to drop a whole plate of BBQ on it… be ready to spend an hour picking pulled pork out of your turf!

Fake Grass Color Variations and Realism

Nature doesn’t really do absolute consistency. Variation is like the calling card of natural beauty. It’s the same with your fake grass lawn. If all the blades are exactly the same color and height, it’ll look REALLY fake. So you’ll want to look for artificial turf with built-in variations in color. You’ll also want to make sure it comes with brown thatching. That’s how you get that authentic grass look and feel.

Picking Realstic-Looking Artificial Grass:

• Choose a turf with subtle color variations
• Avoid super-bright greens (unless you want your yard to look radioactive)
• Look for multi-toned grass blades and a brown thatch
• Match the turf color to real grass in your area

Drainage Systems for Artificial Turf

The long-term health of your beautiful fake grass backyard design relies on proper drainage. It’s the key to avoiding puddles, odors, and backyard swamplands. I usually suggest that people hire professional artificial grass installers who know how to get all of these critical installation steps right the first time. But if you’re a real DIY-type, you should know there are two types of drainage systems used in most artificial grasses:

1. Perforated Backing: Small holes allow water to seep through.
2. Permeable Backing: Liquids pass through the entire surface.

In dry areas, perforated is fine because it’ll have to do less work to keep water from pooling. But if you’re in a rainy climate or have pets, 100% permeable backing is a must. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than a soggy, smelly lawn after a downpour.

UV Resistance and Longevity

Now, let’s shift to those of you who live in sunnier locations, shall we? But honestly, this is a good tip for every fake grass buyer because UV damage can be BRUTAL. If your yard gets tons of sun, UV resistance is non-negotiable. Most trusted artificial grass sellers include some level of UV-protection on their artificial grass offerings. Just make sure to look for turf fibers with UV protection, so you can avoid lawn fading and degradation.

High-quality artificial grass can last 15-25 years with proper care. UV-resistant properties are vital to getting that kind of lifespan out of your turf investment.

Designing Your Backyard: From “Meh” to Magazine-Worthy

So, now let’s get to some fun stuff – fake grass backyard design inspiration! These aren’t all strictly artificial grass ideas, but they’ll all work perfectly with your new turf.

And if you’re interested in shopping for some luxury patio chairs for your new lawn:

Ready to Install Your Fake Grass? Connect with the Pros!

If you’re stoked about transforming your yard but want to make sure it’s done right, hop over to our amazing friends at Artificial Turf Supply. They’ve been in the artificial backyard design game for decades, with a team of experienced, high-quality artificial turf installation specialists who will bring your backyard vision to life. At Patio Productions, we’re all about helping our neighbors live their best backyard lives, and Artificial Turf Supply shares that passion.

Budgeting for Your Backyard Design

I won’t sugarcoat it – modern, realistic artificial grass isn’t cheap. Expect to pay $5-$20 per square foot of fake grass, plus installation costs. But look at your new artificial grass as an investment. When you factor in long-term savings on maintenance, water, and your own sanity, you’ll see a serious ROI!

What’s the advice I give to my friends and customers? Invest in the best quality turf you can afford. It’ll pay off in the long run.

Maintenance Requirements for Fake Grass

Artificial grass is just way less needy than the real stuff, but it’s not zero maintenance. To keep your lawn looking fresh:

• Rinse weekly to remove dust and debris
• Brush the fibers to prevent matting
• Remove leaves and trash ASAP
• Hose down pet urine and use an enzyme cleaner for odors

So, Where Did We Land On Fake Grass?

Repeat after me: “I can choose a great artificial grass and design a killer, stylish backyard!” And say it with confidence because we’ve covered all those need-to-knows about choosing the best fake grass. And for those of you “TLDR / Give me the Cliffs Notes” types:

1. Consider your climate and lifestyle needs
2. Look for UV-resistant, permeable, and realistic options
3. Invest in quality for long-term happiness
4. Hire an artificial grass pro for a flawless installation
5. Pair turf with stunning outdoor furniture for an amazing backyard experience

I’m stoked for you to experience a chic, low-maintenance backyard. Now, I don’t blame anyone prefers to keep real grass in their yard, but for those wanting all the beauty with none of the hassle, fake grass can be the key to a whole new level of outdoor living enjoyment right at your own home.

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So, here’s to Bringing (Low-Maintenance) Life Outdoors!

High Foot Traffic

Not all artificial grass is created equal. Some brands are not as durable as others. This can become evident when high foot traffic starts to show early signs of wear, like loose fibers, discoloration, worn down pile height, or matted and entangled fibers that don’t stand up anymore. High foot traffic areas need grass that’s more durable.

Pets

Having pets means more wear and tear on your lawn. Artificial grass is durable and can hold up to pet urine. For dog waste, use a poop scoop or tissue to pick it up and dispose of it. Rinse the area to flush away any debris, scrub with a mix of soap and water. Clean up any solid waste as soon as possible to prevent staining and clean it at least once a week to prevent urine smells from lingering.

There are artificial grasses made especially with pets in mind that are shorter and stiffer than other artificial grasses, making them extra durable to handle the type of damage pets could do to a lawn.

Climate

Artificial grass can be installed in hot or cold climates. Unlike natural grass, it doesn’t need to be watered to thrive. This is a plus for states, counties, cities or towns that have water restrictions, desert and arid climates, etc. However, you may need to hose it down and/or rake it on a regular basis to wash away dirt and debris that accumulates to keep it clean.

Safety

When exposed to direct sunlight, especially for a long time, artificial grass can reach temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or more. That’s about 50 degrees hotter than natural grass and about the same temperature as asphalt. Installing an irrigation system can quickly cool the grass down, preventing burns and serious injury. If you don’t have an irrigation system installed, sprinklers or a water hose will do.

Material

The material artificial grass is made from plays a significant role in its appearance. Grass made from polyethylene strikes a great balance between softness, looks and durability and is the most used material in imitation lawns. It creates the most realistic looking grass as well.

Polypropylene is another material used to make artificial grass and backing for artificial grass. It’s also used to make putting greens, grass mats and thatch layer. While polypropylene is durable and low maintenance, it is susceptible to fading from UV exposure.

Other materials include nylon, which is stronger than both polyethylene and polypropylene and has a higher melting point, and yarn, which is typically made from a blend of the former three materials. Some may find nylon to be the best artificial grass for their needs, while you may be happy with polyethylene. This is why it’s important to do your research and feel the materials to help you decide what you believe to be the best artificial grass for lawns.

Pile Height and Density

Pile height and density is important if you want your lawn to look more realistic. To combat that fake lawn look, choose grass that has a long pile with a high density. This gives the grass a more lush, naturally realistic look that’s resilient and able to withstand wear and tear. A shorter pile is durable and great for high traffic areas, but it looks less natural.

The face weight is also a vital component of the artificial lawn. Face weight refers to the weight of the grass fibers in a square yard, excluding the backing. The higher the face weight, the higher the pile height and denser the grass is, making it more durable.

Thatch

In real grass, thatch is a layer of dead and living organic matter (roots, dead grass clippings, etc.). In artificial grass, thatch is a layer of yellow and brown shorter synthetic blades meant to replicate natural thatch in the grass.

Drainage System

Having a good drainage system is something to consider with artificial grass. If your artificial grass isn’t permeable, you’ll want a system planned out that allows water to easily flow through the grass to wash away dirt, pet urine and feces, etc.

Budget

Before shopping for artificial grass, you need to determine what your budget will be. Factors to consider include:

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