SyntheticGrassBlog

Most people wouldn’t think of artificial grass making an attractive addition to their property. But in Southern California where the water supply is diminishing, artificial grass looks beautiful and can, in some ways, help the environment.

Artificial grass is common on athletic fields. Students at Claremont High School in Southern California play on it. The fake grass can cause rug burn, but it reduces other sports-related injuries. Rick Dutton of Claremont High School said, “It doesn’t have the typical soft spots and gullies and bumps than can cause a turned ankle.”

Now, more homeowners are making the switch. Homeowner Kathleen Staffacher said, “I think our neighbors are all envious, because they see what a beautiful lawn we have.” The change cut Kathleen and Bob Stauffacher’s water bill in half.

The grass is nothing like the old brillo-pad feel of the past. Today, there are dozens of colors and textures. Troy Keisiel spent $10,000 for his yard. The average cost is about $8.00 a square foot compared to about $2.00 for sod. In Troy’s case, he weighed installing a new sprinkler system versus grass that never needs water. Kisiel said, “Within one year, we’re actually making money by not having a real lawn.”

Artificial lawns last 15-to-20 years. Mike Carpenter of Artificial Grass of Southern California said, “You don’t have to do much, other than a leaf blower, maybe a broom here and there to get some of the debris off.”

But, something to consider, “Turf is still plastic…so it will get hotter in the summertime under extreme heat,” said Carpenter.

These styles are made with soy-based plastics, which can be recycled. Recycled tires are ground up and sprinkled over the grass to provide cushioning and help the blades stand up.

Manufacturing the plastic lawn has an environmental downside. A Canadian school that installed 90,000 square feet of synthetic fields determined the school would have to plant 1,861 trees over a ten year period to offset the carbon footprint.

While there’s a lot to weigh, the next generation of the Stauffaker family is already sold. “They ran to their mother and said, ‘look, we don’t have grass stains all over our pants,’ so they love playing on this grass,” Staffacher said.

Some municipalities offer rebates for people who install artificial grass, so you should check with your government.

http://www.koaa.com/aaaaaa_down_to_earth/x1602041232

Municipalities Dispensing Vouchers to Aid Businesses

What surface is rugged enough to withstand athletic games, fine enough to carpet LaDainian Tomlinson’s yard and environmentally friendly enough to meet the needs of SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo and Quail Botanical Gardens? Synthetic grass.

The introduction of municipal vouchers for the product, the opening of sales kiosks at local home improvement stores and installation at high-profile locations is pushing the synthetic grass industry into the mainstream.

Earlier this year, SYNLawn, the largest manufacturer and installer of artificial landscaping, reached an agreement with Lowe’s to display its artificial grass in 45 Southern California stores. The Dalton, Ga.-based manufacturer displays its products at Lowe’s locations in Chula Vista, Escondido, Mission Valley, Oceanside and Vista, and at a Miramar display and design center.

Duane Roth, vice president of sales at SYNLawn, noted that synthetic grass has come a long way from those stiff plastic blades filled with rubber crumb gravel to a more secure infill with softer blades made of nylon. Roth also noted that different synthetic grass systems are optimized for different places such as pool areas, resort landscaping, children’s play area, roadway medians and, of course, lawns.

“With the water shortages, fires, and people talking about green, it’s snowballing,” said Roth, who has worked on numerous projects in San Diego. “We created a product that passed consumer objections.”

Artificial grass does not need to be watered or cut nor does it require fertilizer, herbicides or pesticides. In addition, SYNLawn products contain sustainable materials that replace petroleum products with a soybean oil product that contains other recycled material and redirected post consumer waste.

Mike Bray, director of business development for Escondido-based EasyTurf Inc., has been a shift from largely residential installations in San Diego to a larger number of commercial projects. EasyTurf has installed more than 2 million square feet of FieldTurf in Southern California. FieldTurf is the synthetic grass brand used at 21 professional football stadiums and practice fields.

Bray said it installs the same tough turf used by the NFL for homes and businesses and has already done so at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, San Diego Humane Society, and Humphrey’s By the Bay. He anticipates a larger shift from residential to commercial accounts by year’s end.

He added that the installation can meet criteria required to earn LEED certification (short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which is issued by the U.S. Green Building Council and considered the benchmark of sustainable and environmentally-friendly development.

Craig Balben, public affairs representative for the San Diego County Water Authority, said seven of its 24 member agencies offer vouchers to single-family residential customers. Those agencies are the city of Poway, Helix Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Valley Center Municipal Water District and Vista Irrigation District.

In addition, the County Water Authority offers vouchers to commercial and industrial customers, including mobile home parks, public and private schools, and animal care facilities. It is offering $0.50 per square foot.

http://www.sdbj.com/article.asp?aID=124244&link=perm

Artificial lawns are commonplace on sports fields, golf courses, and in some drought-afflicted areas of the country.

But could you get used to seeing them popping up on neighborhood landscapes in your area? This may be the case as artificial lawns continue to grow in popularity.

Just think of how much time the average person would save if watering, weeding, mowing, edging, and reseeding a lawn were out of the picture? Companies such as AstroLawn® promote that low maintenance fake grass as a way for residents to take back their weekends.

Apart from the maintenance free aspect (most fake lawns remain in top form for 10 or more years and require little upkeep), there are other advantages to going faux over fresh. There’s no worry about dirt or grass stains when kids play outdoors.

Dogs and cats won’t be as likely to dig trenches through your lawn, and insects that typically call grass home will be enticed to move to another yard. Most artificial lawn products are soft and feel just as good on bare feet as real grass.

Artificial lawns also have environmental and financial impacts as well.

Fake grass does not need to be watered, which means homeowners can save thousands of gallons of water that would normally be put toward lawn watering. And when a drought hits, they won’t have to worry that the time and money they put into the lawn will be wasted. A fake lawn remains green even during drought season.

Other environmental benefits are that artificial lawns do not have to be fertilized or pesticide treated, reducing the amount of chemical runoff in neighborhood water supplies.

Plus, with no mowing, carbon dioxide emissions from lawn mowers and other power equipment is greatly reduced.

http://www.midcountychronicle.com/news/2008/0402/Community/014.html

I get a lot of questions about what happens when dogs “go” on artificial grass so I think its time to get the record straight.

All artificial grasses are not all created the same. The biggest difference will be in the materials that make up the grass blades. You will hear polypropylene, polyethylene, and nylon mostly.

For dogs artificial grasses that are 100% poyl in nature is fine since that is basically plastic and plastic does not absorb moisture, ie: urine. Nylon does. Its that simple.

Artificial turfs that use nylon capture moisture which means they capture urine which means if you have dogs “going” on it, it will eventually stink. So don’t buy artificial grass that contains nylon if you plan on letting your dogs use it as a loo!

That is a question I have been getting a lot lately. So I did some research and found a site that has a poll on the subject http://www.helium.com/debates/66076-should-grass-lawns-banned/

Its a proven fact that the average lawn takes up more then 60% of your water bill. I find it ridiculous that people who live in drought stricken areas think they have a right to waste water on natural lawns. People are really that stupid.

So, I say fine, to the morons that think they have a right to a natural lawn we shouldn’t “ban” lawns. All we need to do is increase the price of water 100 fold for people that use more then 50,000 gallons a year which is roughly what the average home uses inside. If you want to waste an additional 50,000 gallons a year go ahead but don’t bitch when your water bill comes back at $1000 a month!

POWAY: The city will implement a water conservation program that includes rebates for artificial grass.

In a 4-0 vote Tuesday night, with Mayor Mickey Cafagna absent, the council endorsed staff recommendations that include education programs for students, a neighborhood water-abuse reporting program, and a rebate of $1 per square foot for artificial turf.

Resident Dan Krall asked if the rebate could apply to AstroTurf, which he said is much cheaper than other types of artificial grass. The council told water conservation administrator Kristen Crane to investigate the request. –A.L.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20080208-9999-1mi8briefs.html

By Chris Caesar

Newport Beach resident Connie Hollstein is just in love with her synthetic lawn.

It keeps her water and gardening bills low, allergies at bay, and home — once occasionally marred by her dogs’ muddy paws — conspicuously clean.

“It looks nice — people walk by and don’t even know its artificial grass,” she said, adding neighborhood kids often knock on her door for permission to play on the lawn.

Considering the significant amounts of water typically consumed by a square foot of conventional grass — about four feet annually — it’s no wonder the synthetic turf has become a cherished lawn ornament of conservationists. Indeed, the Municipal Water District of Orange County even offers a 30 cent per square foot refund to encourage property owners to install the product.

But while modern synthetic turf has come a long way since the Astroturf of the 1960s, the laws governing its installation have not. Unlike Newport Beach, Costa Mesa prohibits the product in most of the city’s development zones, including single-family residences like Hollstein’s.

“[Costa Mesa has] an ordinance which dates back 16 years, when ‘synthetic turf’ still meant Astroturf and cheesy plastic plants,” said Costa Mesa Principal Planner Willa Bouwens-Killeen. “It’s actually come a long way, so we were hoping City Council can come up with something to give us better direction.”

City staff cautiously suggested the Costa Mesa City Council reconsider its ban on the product, saying the models could save the city water and money, but could also deteriorate if neglected. Following a preliminary discussion of the proposal at a study session last week, some members seemed hesitant about changing some aspects of the city’s regulations.

“These days, everyone’s looking at every alternative to conserve water, though at the same time we want to keep our city looking nice,” said Councilman Allan Mansoor. “I think it’s important to keep all options on the table — I’ve seen some places where that looks good in front of homes, and if it’s done right, I think that a homeowner should have the right to do it.”

“I don’t see a problem in giving property owners the right, where it makes sense,” said Councilwoman Wendy Leece. “But I don’t think Costa Mesa is going to go for pulling out live grass and trees, and putting in fake grass for the sake [of] efficiency.”

While local experts said they saw some benefit to easing restrictions on synthetic turf, they characterized the potential environmental benefits as, at best, a mixed bag. While run-off is lessened and water conserved, the product is developed with plastic — a petroleum-based product — and is an inorganic addition to local ecosystems that may rely on it.

“Intuitively, my reaction would be is that it’s not obvious that it’s a really good thing for the environment, and it’s not obvious it’s a bad thing,” said Michael Goulden, a UCI professor specializing in ecological cycles. “It has to beat mowing the lawn, though.”

“There are a few trade-offs,” said David Feldman, a UCI professor of social ecology. “In Orange County, we use a tremendous amount of water, and any extent to which you can save water is a huge benefit. Most artificial turfs are using recycled plastics, too, so you’re not generating all of the bad side effects you typically do when creating plastic from scratch. On the whole, I won’t say it’s a perfect benefit, but it’s a pretty fair trade-off.”

City staff will likely schedule the issue for a council meeting sometime in the next few weeks, Mansoor said.

http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/03/18/politics/dpt-plastic031808.txt

NEWPORT BEACH – Connie Hollstein has one of the greenest lawns on the block – maybe a little too green, as far as her homeowners association is concerned.

Along with two other residents of Newport Beach’s Port Streets neighborhood, Hollstein several months ago carpeted her front yard with synthetic turf, an increasingly popular method for saving water, reducing urban runoff and avoiding the endless upkeep associated with natural sod.

But her move incurred the wrath of the Newport Hills Community Association, where board members who disdain the lawn’s appearance are threatening steep fines and court action to force Hollstein to uproot the pseudo grass.

That stance baffles Hollstein and others caught in the association’s crosshairs – environmental concerns aside, the artificial turf isn’t susceptible to yellowing that plagues other lawns in the tract, the residents say.

“They basically don’t care if we have dead grass or dirt – they just don’t want anything that’s not real,” Hollstein said.

In a July letter to Hollstein’s neighbor Al Presnell, who also installed synthetic turf, the association argued that faux grass “detracts from the beauty and attractiveness of the surrounding area, and is not in harmony with surrounding properties and improvements.”

Initial fines of $1,000 – and possibly more later – are possible, and the three residents have about a week to answer an association request for court mediation.

Association officials didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment until the story was posted online today. Property manager Jill Schwalbe said the association would have no comment “out of respect for the privacy of the homeowners involved.”

Dave Ewles, another Port Streets resident who installed mock grass, said he thinks the association is hung up on the stigma of AstroTurf, an eyesore compared to the lush plastic lawn that ran Ewles and his neighbors more than $10,000 apiece.

“There are still some people who consider this stuff like aluminum siding for a house, just taboo,” Ewles said.

Imitation grass has slowly popped up across the county in recent years as policymakers fret about degraded seawater health and the potential for water shortages.

The average Orange County home devotes at least half its water use to irrigation, and according to the Irvine Ranch Water District, installing synthetic turf can save more than 20,000 gallons of water annually.

Parks in such cities as Irvine, Newport, Tustin and Lake Forest use synthetic turf. Laguna Niguel and Laguna Woods are among many local agencies that have offered rebates to homeowners and businesses that install it.

“It’s truly disappointing … that an HOA is not allowing installation of synthetic turf,” said Joe Berg, a water-use efficiency expert at the Municipal Water District of Orange County.

“There’s a lot of benefit that the turf provides,” Berg said, adding that “aesthetically, many people like it … because you don’t have brown spots and stuff like that.”

Hollstein said she replaced the real grass in her front yard more than a half-dozen times over the years, but it always died. “You just can’t keep it looking nice,” she said.

Presnell, 84, had a yard that resembled a dirt lot before he purchased the fake lawn. “His yard looked like crap for several years. I mean really, really bad,” son Bill Presnell said.

Homeowners associations elsewhere have tried to prevent planting of drought-resistant vegetation, which often has a less-than-verdant look. State legislation passed in 2006 outlawed such restrictions, but didn’t address artificial turf.

The Newport Hills Community Association’s bylaws say landscaping alterations can’t be made without architectural committee approval. Hollstein and Presnell didn’t apply in advance, while Ewles said a misunderstanding led him to believe his synthetic turf had been approved.

That said, the solution of having the turf ripped out and replaced with natural sod – billed as a “compromise” in a letter from the association’s law firm – isn’t sitting well with the residents.

They argue that the decision is an arbitrary ruling by a small group of board members. Presnell’s belated application surveyed four neighbors for their opinions on the turf; three supported it and one expressed mixed feelings. Hollstein and Ewles say most of their neighbors are fine with the turf.

Ewles thinks board members aren’t so much unhappy with the look of synthetic turf as they are concerned about setting a risky precedent. “I think they’re just worried about somebody going to Home Depot, buying a roll of artificial carpet and stapling it to their front yard,” Ewles said.

As the deadline looms to answer the mediation request, the three residents are pondering their legal options, but say they’re probably powerless. “We have basically been told we can fight it,” Hollstein said, “but (that) we’ll lose.”

Contact the writer: 714-445-6683 or joverley@ocregister.com

I love getting emails from consumers about their experiences with synthetic grass be it the installation process or what have you.

Wendy emailed me to say she was blogging about her particular experience which lead to some very interesting reading. Its a must read for all consumers out there thinking about buying synthetic grass http://valleypooldemo.blogspot.com/

As for said Duane Ruth, you can meet him at eGardener http://videos.egardener.ca/item/58W9BF0Q7VCGZZ59

MONTREAL, Aug. 30, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) — The results of a long-term study confirms that the rubber granules used in the construction of artificial turf fields pose absolutely no threat to the environment.

ALIAPUR, the leading French government body responsible for used tires, along with ADEME, the French Agency for Environment and Energy Management has completed a scientific study that aimed at evaluating possible environmental impact from the rubber granules in sports fields that are derived from recycled used car tires.

The studies prove no cause for concern to human health.

The main goal of the study was to determine the quality of water transferred into the natural environment after passing through the rubber granules and other infill materials from the artificial grass sports fields. In addition, the study obtained a detailed analysis and evaluation of the gas emissions generated by these fields.

As part of the testing methodology, three artificial grass sample fields were infilled with three different materials, to create real life replicas of artificial turf fields used around the world in schools, parks and playgrounds. Each artificial grass sample field used a different rubber infill:

A - SBR (rubber granules from used tires).
B - TPE (new material thermoplastic rubber granules).
C - EPDM (new virgin material rubber granules).

An artificial grass carpet with no rubber infill was also used as a control field sample.

Initiated in 2005, this study was conducted with the scientific aim of replicating normal field usage conditions to properly evaluate any potential environmental impact from runoff water and the potential of any health risk from gaseous emissions.

The results indicate the following:

1 - A comparable behavior regardless which type of infill material was used — whether SBR from used tires, new TPE thermoplastic material or EPDM new virgin rubber material.
2 - The absence of impact of these materials on water resources.
3 - There was no effect on health associated with the inhalation of VOC and aldehydes emitted by artificial surfaces.
4 - Emissions from the artificial turf without any infill material are very low compared with those from other construction products (ex: parquet flooring).
5 - The emissions from the artificial turf containing SBR (rubber granules from used tires) and from TPE (new material thermoplastic rubber granules) are both relatively low. “Relatively low” by European standards signifies an environmentally safe substance.
6 - The emissions from the artificial turf containing EPDM (new virgin material rubber granules) are greater.
7 - From an ecotoxicological point of view and on the basis of a comparison with strict European health standards, the water that passed through the artificial grass sample fields was proven to have no impact on the environment, regardless of the type of infill in the turf.

A Health Risk Evaluation (HRE) was performed by INERIS, the French National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks, in order to evaluate more precisely, in indoor situations, the health risks linked to the inhalation of the VOC and aldehydes of which these emissions have been quantified by the scientific and technical center of France.

The results of the INERIS Health Risk Evaluation, based on the concentration of the substances and worst-case scenarios, indicate that the VOC and aldehyde emissions from the three types of artificial grass fields studied in small and poorly ventilated indoor gymnasium situations are of no cause for concern for human health, for the workers installing the surfaces as well as for the general public, professional or amateur athletes, adults and children.

In conclusion to its study, the INERIS stipulates that the health risks associated with the inhalation of VOC and aldehydes emitted by artificial grass fields in outdoor situations give no cause for concern towards human health.

“The results come to the dismay of certain individuals in the natural grass industry,” said FieldTurf Tarkett CEO David Moszkowski. “The natural grass industry, with over $40 billion in annual sales of herbicides, pesticides, sod and seed, has been running a very organized attack against artificial grass to prevent the erosion of their market share. They have been feeding false and misleading information to local communities, environmental groups and media sources in an attempt to scare people with phony claims of danger from the rubber granules from used tires. As the global leader, it is FieldTurf Tarkett’s responsibility to provide accurate information to make sure everyone understands the truth.”

The results of this study should come as no surprise to the scientific community. Hundreds of such studies carried out by and for governmental health, safety and environmental agencies worldwide have reached similar conclusions. These are further validated by a significant amount of research done by FIFA, SAPCA (Sports and Play Construction Association), the French Laboratory of Research & Control for Rubber & Plastics, The Dutch National Institute for Public Health & The Environment, The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment, The University of Dortmund Institute for Environmental Research, The Swiss Federal Authority of Health, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, The Radium Hospital Danish Ministry of the Environment — along with many other reputable organizations worldwide.

Since its revolution of the artificial grass industry, and indeed the world of sport itself, FieldTurf, the global leader in artificial turf, has made a commitment to positively impact the environment.

With a commitment to innovative ways to reduce waste, reuse resources and recycle products, FieldTurf’s patented infill process features only clean, washed silica sand and cryogenically processed rubber granules, whose recycling process eliminates all metallic and polyester residues.

The success of FieldTurf has resulted in massive reductions in the use of water and dangerous chemicals. A typical natural grass football field can use 3,000,000 gallons of water per year. Over 90,000,000 pounds of herbicides; 1,400,000,000 pounds of commercially produced synthetic fertilizer; and 420,000,000,000 pounds of pesticides are used each year to maintain natural grass. FieldTurf eliminates the need for these toxic materials in providing its proven safe and durable playing fields.

For more information on FieldTurf, please visit www.fieldturf.com

CONTACT: FieldTurf Tarkett Darren Gill 800-724-2969

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Synthetic grass touted as water-wise way to lush-looking lawns

By Kristiana Heap
Real Estate Editor

Tim Alexander is obsessed with his lawn.

For some, no matter how much money was spent on yard maintenance, their lawns just don’t measure up.

To install it, the original lawn and soil are excavated and replaced with a fabric weed barrier and about three inches of decomposed granite; lawns are expected to last 12 to 15 years, but the project can be costly. 

Faux grass? It’s a tad pricey but lasts for years and requires no weeding or mowing.

By JOEL POILEY, Times Correspondent
Published November 30, 2007

No matter how manicured we want our lawn to look, if we could cut the time to keep it that way to almost nothing, we’d jump at the chance.

Sellers of synthetic turf say their product has come a long way since the Astroturf days, when fake grass often had seams and rips similar to worn carpet.

Improved materials and technology have made it an option for those who can afford it, or feel it’s worth the cost to toss their mowers or lawn maintenance contracts.

“It’s becoming popular because of watering issues and pest control and there’s not a lot of maintenance,” said Jeff Jennings, president and owner of Turf Pro Synthetics Landscaping in Land O’Lakes.

Jennings, 35, said interest in artificial grass is, well, growing for several reasons.

“There’s good drainage to it, and it’s also good for slopes and erosion areas where you can’t really get grass to grow - places like shaded areas, or maybe where your dog runs in and out and wears out the grass,” said Jennings, who started the business seven years ago.

Keston Ettienne and his wife, Angela, of Cross Creek say eye appeal and low maintenance made their decision easy.

“We had just put a pool in and we still had a lot of lawn to mow that I wanted to get rid of,” Ettienne said. “We saw Jeff’s card at a nursery, and after talking to him, we put in a 6-by-14-foot putting green and koi pond this summer.

“It definitely cuts down on lawn maintenance. All you do is sweep it or use a blower. Everyone’s pretty impressed when they see it.”

For Jennings, what started with mowing lawns as a kid has evolved into a profitable profession.

“I was at Busch Gardens one day watching them build a big water display with rocks, and I thought that looked neat and I built something similar for my yard,” Jennings said. “Then things evolved from there, where I started doing more landscaping and outdoor packages for people, and we added the synthetic turf seven years ago because of the beauty of no maintenance.”

He realizes that at about $8 to $12 a square foot, compared to real sod at around 80 cents to a $1 a square foot, the product isn’t cheap. But for homeowners who are tired of maintenance and want more free time, the expense is worth it, he said.

Ettienne thinks it’s also good for resale value.

“We’re not planning to sell,” he said, “but it’s a tremendous selling point with a wide cross section of potential home buyers, especially the putting green.”

Jennings, who works with partner Tom Storey, said another selling point is how the improved materials duplicate what’s more natural and real.

Synthetic turf is made of a polypropylene fiber that has a 10-year warranty and has a UV coating to protect it from the sun. Jennings said it should last between 15 to 20 years.

The installation isn’t complicated. A compact base of screened out limestone for good drainage is made to shift and keep its shape for putting greens and slopes.

The turf goes in, mixed with bits of rubber and then some sand. Then it’s rolled until smooth and you’re ready to practice your putting. Or use your newfound free time for more interesting pursuits than mowing.

“It has a curing agent that makes it look even better after the first year,” Jennings said. “Rain won’t bother it or cause it to shift. Just clean it with any solvent like 409, blow off the leaves or debris and that’s it.”

Jennings said potential customers have many options from which to choose, like a St. Augustine version and natural turf.

“Wherever you can’t get grass to grow, this is the perfect way to go,” Jennings said.

By Jakob Hanes

Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.03.2007

When Mary Vierthaler moved here from Kansas, she quickly discovered that most people don’t have luxuriant green lawns.

She also figured out that water conservation is a hot topic.

But instead of giving in to Arizona’s brutal sun and perpetual drought and settling for a nice patch of colored gravel in her backyard, she started exploring other options.

When she heard about synthetic grass, she was sold.

“I wasn’t hesitant at all when I heard about it, mainly because I didn’t want to push a mower,” Vierthaler said, recalling her expansive lawn in Kansas.

Local developers say more and more Tucsonans are choosing synthetic grass over organic, and recent innovations are making the option even more appealing. The use of fake grass also goes largely uncriticized by researchers, because its main downfalls — susceptibility to bacterial buildup and environmental disposal issues — are being remedied by scientists.

Tucson landscape company SPEC International has seen a 25 percent increase in installations yearly since it started selling synthetic grass in 2003, said spokeswoman Jane Gehring.

The option is especially popular with new homeowners because they don’t have previously landscaped yards, said Ben Astenius, owner of Man of the Soil Landscape Builders, based in Vail.

“Demand has increased massively, especially out here in the desert,” he said. “Nine out of every 10 grass requests we get, they’re requesting synthetic.”

So far this year, Astenius’ company has installed 63,000 square feet of fake lawns, compared with 46,000 for the entire year in 2006. Although it varies, a typical synthetic lawn is about 1,000 square feet. He said the biggest praises he hears are how realistic it looks and how little maintenance it requires.

Synthetic grass has come a long way since the Astroturf of the ’70s or that green carpet stuff that crinkled like Easter basket filling when people walked on it.

Now there are several different types available — some are designed specially for dogs or children and come in different shades of green or mimic different types of grass.

Some customers even say it feels good to walk on.

Although the stuff may sound too good to be true, it does have its drawbacks, the main one being initial cost.

Depending on the type, fake grass can run $7-$10 per square foot, whereas old-fashioned sod costs only $2.50 per square foot, and most landscape companies include an irrigation system in the price. Depending on the size and level of maintenance a real lawn needs, the payoff for synthetic won’t come for three to five years, according to fake-grass vendors’ estimates.

Most types of synthetic grass are rated to last 15 years at best. Most “synth lawns” come with an eight-year warranty.

But for their entire life, the grass blades won’t fade noticeably, and the only cleaning needed is the occasional raking and hosing off, sellers say.

Vierthaler has three dogs and said cleaning up after them isn’t a problem because the grass washes off easily, and it’s resilient enough to put up with their constant activity.

“The dogs love it. They run, they jump, they roll around in it just like it’s real grass,” she said. “And it’s so nice to go out there barefoot.”

With all the activity that the grass gets, though, harmful bacteria can build up over time. The grime not only smells bad, but can cause infections, too. To solve that problem, scientists took a trip to the beach.

They found that crab and shrimp shells have a naturally occurring polymer called chitin that can be extracted and processed into chitosan. The chitosan is mixed with a weak acid solution to create a bacteria-resistant coating that can either be applied to the surface of the grass or woven in with the plastic fiber network at the time of manufacture.

Since the application is relatively new, there is little research to prove its effectiveness as of yet. But the need to eliminate bacteria is important both for hygienic and olfactory reasons because bacteria can make the grass stink.

Astenius of Man of the Soil landscaping is looking to solve that problem. He and his company have a patent pending on a scented application designed to make the plastic blades smell like a summer afternoon.

For all its benefits, though, it’s unclear if a synthetic lawn will increase a home’s value — it all depends on what buyers are looking for, said Wes Wiggins, vice president of the Tucson Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Services, which holds data for properties in the area. Synthetic grass doesn’t have its own category on the listing’s features yet, but does factor in to the value of the home, just like any other upgrade would.

“It’s not an automatic (benefit). It’s kind of like a pool — it really depends on the rest of the property,” he said. “But from what I know as a consumer, there are more homes that seem to have it in one form or another now.”

Because of the cost, most houses don’t have expansive lawns, but instead incorporate the grass with rocks and other landscaping, Wiggins said.

Vierthaler said her lawn is attracting attention in her neighborhood and a few of her neighbors are considering putting in synthetic grass because they like how real it looks and feels.

“You have to see how good it looks to appreciate it,” she said. “It’s expensive to begin with, but as long as you stay at your house for a while it pays off.”

By Cliff Newell
The Lake Oswego Review, Nov 15, 2007

Mike Thomas | COMMENTARY

I am flat on my back, rolling in the grass like a Labrador with an itch he can’t reach.

It is soft and cushy. But it’s time to go to work so I get back on my feet.

There is no brushing off. There is nary a brown mark or green stain on my white dress shirt.

I am good to go.

That’s because there is no dirt in Suzanne Ficquette’s grass.

There is not a single weed, nor bug. There is, in fact, no photosynthesis going on whatsoever.

The grass is made out of the same basic material as my wrinkle-free Claiborne pants. Only it’s not itchy.

This stuff is plastic from heaven. It is our salvation from sod. It is synthetic grass.

“We don’t use pesticides,” says Suzanne. “We don’t spray it. Don’t water it. It is just amazing. There is no maintenance. It always looks like you just mowed your yard.”

If everyone had synthetic grass, our lakes would be much cleaner. Rainfall runoff would not be a toxic soup of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers. Grass is not genetically designed to live in Florida; hence the chemical warfare required to keep it alive.

We would not have to drain our aquifer to keep plastic grass green.

We would not spend our weekends edging, mowing, weeding, raking and plugging.

We would not have to wash our kids as much or yell at them for tracking dirt in the house.

Our dogs would be cleaner.

Consider Georgia. She is Suzanne’s part-greyhound, part-Labrador, part-whatever dog. She is almost 2 years old, weighs about 60 pounds and is loaded with hyper-kinetic genetics. She kept tearing up the old yard. She hasn’t put a dent in this K9Grass in more than a year.

It is special-made for doggies.

“It took her a while to get comfortable going to the bathroom on it,” Suzanne says.

Pee soaks through, as do heavy rain showers.

Suzanne shovels the poop off, although the hose also is an option.

The grass was installed by ForeverLawn Florida in Clermont. The owner, Ty Allen, guarantees it for eight years but says it will last about 10 or 12. In that time, the color will not fade enough to notice, he says.

Suzanne’s sister had some put in four years ago. It still looks brand-new. And they have two greyhounds.

Mostly Allen installs his plastic grass at businesses and parks. The city of Oviedo is so happy with its purchase for Friendship Park, it may install more.

At residences, the grass usually is relegated to backyards. Homeowners associations often require St. Augustine in the front. It is a plot by the Sod Industrial Complex, a $5 billion industry that is slowly draining and poisoning our state.

The Legislature should immediately ban homeowners groups from banning K9Grass.

If K9 is a bit too perfectly green for your taste, then go with Select LX. That variety comes with a “dead grass” thatch look for a more realistic appearance. Allen says after he put some in at Epcot, he saw a groundskeeper watering it.

What does it cost? Suzanne paid about $6,600 to install 1,000 square feet in her backyard. She figures it will pay for itself soon enough.

“It’s worth it,” she says. “It’s worth it. It’s worth it.”

While she has live trees and bushes around the grass, that is not necessary. I’ve located all kinds of fake foliage you can use, including a fake orange tree for $52.95 and a fake 41-foot canary palm for $29,100.

The carefree plastic life — it’s a win-win for all of us.

Mike Thomas can be reached at 407-420-5525 or mthomas@orlandosentinel.com. His blog is OrlandoSentinel.com/mikethomas.

Synthetic lawns do not only look good, they are made to last, including being salt water tolerant. So, Synthetic lawns are suitable around swimming pools, you can place it around recreational areas, children�s play areas, even high traffic spots such as public areas and can form part of a practice putting green. Aside from being salt water and chlorine resistant, synthetic lawns are also inflammable.

With so many Australians living on the coastline, salt water tolerance is important to our landscaping requirements.

As Australia is in its worst drought for many years, it is important to conserve water, and what better way to do it with durable and long lasting synthetic lawn? Synthetic lawn is low maintenance, it looks and feels like the real thing.

Imagine you are living on the beach. Your grass keeps dying because you are unable to water it because of water restrictions. That�s where synthetic lawns can come in.

Once you have installed your synthetic lawn, your outdoor area that was once brown and unsightly will be green and lush for years to come.

By Lee Dobbins

For some residents in a neighborhood in Tampa Florida, the streets are very well kept and the trees are nature�s pride: big trees of oak. However, all these prettiness changed when one resident decided that enough is enough, he ripped his yard up and installed artificial grass. Though there are those who think that having a synthetic artificial lawn grass is pathetic, there are those who think otherwise. Believe it or not, this coming summer will be witness to a lot more people from the suburban areas that are to install yards upon yards of artificial grass. This is lawn faux grass that is somehow very lifelike and real that people could be fooled to think they are what they appear to be, and pets actually think it is real. The fact of the matter is that spending on artificial grass is supposed to rise by a quarter this coming year at businesses as well as homes.
This basically translates to a revenue of two hundred and fifty million more. Compare this to a real lawn grass that need to be maintained, trimmed, sprinkled, etc. and an artificial grass that solely needs to be blow dried. Why artificial grass? Though this prospect is tempting for some, it is unthinkable for a lot of other people. There are still those suburban residents that find artificial grass tacky and surreal. Some residents still find a reason to complain on artificial grass. For them, artificial grass looks just too lushly fake in the cold, cold dead winter. This has even prompted some neighborhoods to ban the use of artificial grass altogether. For the research director of the National Association of Gardening, having artificial grass is like having a toupee on your lawn. But there are still positive perks from having artificial grass. For one, the artificial grass industry thinks that there are advantages of faux lawn grass. One benefit is the decrease in the care of one�s lawn. Thereby saving anyone and everyone money and energy. Artificial grass is also one way to decrease the use of fertilizers. It also helps neighborhood and households comply with the restrictions with regards to the use of water especially in areas that experience a lot of drought. Take for example an area in New Mexico, particularly Albuquerque which actually offer five hundred dollars to those residents who have a part of their lawn converted to landscape and which need less water. Same laws are also enforced in Arizona at Mesa as well as in Las Vegas. Simply put, for those who really want to see lush green grass, the use of artificial grass is a good alternative. For those homeowners who prefer the artificial grass, the reasons are simple. One artificial grass user has found it helpful that his son no longer drags mud inside their house. Though the fact of the matter is that he also had to pad some areas of the lawn in order for the child not to hurt himself it cost three hundred dollars. Another benefit is that artificial grass bring no bugs. Also, artificial grass like real lawn grass comes in varieties. There are those who are garden lush variety artificial grass that has a recently-been-mowed look. This type of grass costs an average of thirty thousand dollars. The plus is that it simply needs to be airblowered once after quite a long while. How did fake grass become so hip? It all started in the 1970�s when football teams as well as baseball teams decided to install artificial grass in stadiums all over the country. Though fans claimed it as an ugly alternative, as well as dangerous and totally unnatural, it was actually a low maintenance and low cost landscaping phenomenon. Until there were athletes that tore their ligaments and broke their bones due to the artificial grass. All in all, the use of artificial grass depends much on a person�s preference, style, need and budget. What one could see as ugly could be beauty to another person�s perspective. The important thing is that all the benefits and disadvantages are properly weighed by the potential user of the artificial grass and from there decide which is best as according to his long term likes and dislikes.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://grasses.garden-g8way.com where you can learn more about lawns and grasses and even a bit about artificial grass. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Benefits-Of-Using-Artificial-Grass&id=401032

Building development companies across Australia are now turning to using synthetic lawn around their newly constructed buildings to decrease ongoing maintenance costs and enhance the sale value of their properties. �

A significant element of a property�s value can be attributed to its look and ambience. Australians like properties that have character and are liveable. These days many do not have the time to establish and maintain lawns, so the synthetic lawn option can be an appealing option to building development companies to make their product stand out from the rest.

The aesthetics and ongoing maintenance costs associated with any development purchase can make or break a deal, and this is why building development companies are now turning to synthetic lawn.

Synthetic lawn offers all the low maintenance benefits of pavers or concrete, but introduces rich organic colour, with the illusion of constant trimming, watering and weeding.

Enduroturf �synthetic lawn products are Australian made and are made to outlast the toughest of Australia�s daily environmental challenges. They are UV, chlorine and salt water resistant, and look great 365 days a year.