Do you know how to spot poor quality synthetic grass? Sadly, all turf is not equal. Some manufacturers take shortcuts in the process. And while it makes manufacturing more efficient and cost effective, quality is completely sacrificed. The end product is bad news for the consumer.

So how can you tell if your synthetic grass is well made? There are several ways actually. Before we get to that though, let’s talk about the shortcuts we mentioned previously. Knowing what to look for before making a purchase will help you choose a quality product.

Poor Quality Synthetic Grass Shortcuts

Resin

Poor quality synthetic grass products use low quality resin. Resin is the actual substance artificial grass is made from. When low quality resin is used, the product will either fade or melt, sometimes both. It is undesirable and extremely frustrating for the consumer. Yet, this is exactly what happens when low grad fillers are substituted in place of quality resin. Know what you are buying or you could be in for a surprise!

Latex Backing

Latex backing gives your synthetic grass that nice spongy feel. It’s best to think of latex in terms of quality and quantity. Enough good latex will give you a lawn that lasts for years. Cheap latex, or not enough, will need to be replaced sooner. Your yard may not live up to its warranty. Yikes!

To compound the issue, the problem with backing is two-fold. Synthetic grass has two layers. The first layer (primary) contains stitched fibers. The second layer (secondary) holds the synthetic grass tufts in place, allowing it to lay flat. Poor quality synthetic grass does not contain enough quality latex. This is bad for one reason.  If cheap latex, or not enough latex, is used those two layers will separate. It won’t be long before you will need to spend money on an emergency repair. This is why it pays to stay away from inferior turf products.

Striping

This occurs when a spool of yarn of a slightly different color makes its way into the manufacturing process. If not spotted by a machine operator, or quality control specialist, a “stripe” of that color will run the entire length of the turf product. It is very noticeable and completely ruins the effect of synthetic grass. Instead of a lush lawn, visitors will notice a stripe running through your yard. The good news is most of the time this is caught by the installer before it makes it to your lawn install, so the issue is small at best. Yet it’s worth mentioning to head off the issue before it can occur.

Inferior Fibers

A general rule of thumb is the thicker the fiber, the better the quality. Synthetic grass with wide fibers provide two things for your lawn. First, they are stronger. Wider blades mimic the resiliency of real grass much better than narrow blades. They allow the grass to spring back to shape time and time again. Second, wider blades create a turf product that looks more like real grass. If the yarn used is too narrow, your lawn will look fake.

Also, it is important to pay attention to the type of fiber used for your synthetic grass product. If the fiber itself is too thin, your lawn will look unrealistic. The easy way to spot this is pull one free and hold it up to a light source. If it is too thin you will be able to see light shining through the blade. Quality blades do not allow light to pass through.

Yarn Loss

Next, notice if the product has excessive yarn loss. This always points to poor quality synthetic grass. Some loss is expected, but it should not be severe. The easiest way to test for this is simple. Pull from the middle of a sample. If you get good resistance, and no shedding, your product is solid. Just make sure you test the sample by pulling from the middle. You will likely get several fibers in your hand if you pull from the edges of your sample as the tuft is exposed.

Always Ask For a Sample

This is one of the best fail-safe methods for helping you choose great quality synthetic grass. Ask for a sample. You will be able to inspect the backing, observe the width and thickness, and gauge other things like product integrity or pile density. Understand though, gauging pile density can be tricky since traffic is a consideration. Of course you want a lawn that looks natural and realistic. Yet, if your synthetic grass will be installed in a place with minimal traffic, you can probably opt for lower pile density.

Speak to an Expert: NewGrass Can Help

This is why it is beneficial to have someone to talk to who knows what they are talking about. In our instance, that would be someone at our NewGrass office. Our professional staff can answer any questions you may have about our synthetic grass. We can help you make the best possible decision for your install.

Share your plans with us. We will make suggestions according to area of placement, traffic use and personal style. We also have data sheets available for our products to answer any specific questions you may have. They give you all the information you need concerning pile height and filament thickness. They verify our products are exactly what we describe them to be.

Finally, remember, getting all of the information you need from an article to make an informed decision when choosing quality synthetic grass is a tall order to fill. Synthetic grass has so many uses. People use them for pet runs, play areas, front lawns, back lawns, entertaining spaces, pool decks, inaccessible or less trafficked areas and high rise condominium rooftops. All of these applications are unique with a specific purpose to serve. It is important to match the proper type of synthetic grass with every installation to ensure expectations are met.

Using the information from this article will point you in a direction of the right things to look for. If you would like a sample of any of our NewGrass products, contact us. We will be happy to accommodate you. We have an impressive line up of products. One of them will be perfectly suited for your installation. Don’t fall prey to inferior products that look flashy. Let NewGrass help you make a decision you will enjoy for years to come.