Rosie on the House: Is artificial grass right for you?

A: Artificial turf is not for everyone, but there are good reasons to switch from green grass to artificial grass. For most homeowners, the switch has to do with savings of:

• Water. A turf lawn uses less water than a grass lawn.
• Time. You won't be cutting the grass every week.
• Maintenance. You don't have to feed what is not alive.
• Labor. Picking weeds and spraying poisons will be a thing of the past.

Q: I don't know where to start shopping for quality turf.

A: Making the right choice of turf starts with knowing the right questions to ask.

Choices

Let's start by saying that artificial turf is no longer the stiff, short, bristly product you may recall from the past — long past. Understanding that you have choices of different types of turf today is essential to deciding which turf to choose.

The first thing to consider is how you will use the artificial turf. There are many different types of turf. The activity level in the space of the synthetic turf will guide you in making the best choice for your application.

• Play area for kids. If you intend to have a turf area for children to play on, a softer blade configuration will be more likely. Also, knowing the intensity of use will help you make a smart selection.
• Pet area. Are you looking for an area where your pet can play and use it as its outdoor business area? The choice of infill plays a role in the product installation.
• Putting practice green. Those of you who are avid golfers might enjoy an area where you can practice your sport.
• There is little to no physical use. Some homeowners enjoy the appeal of a green lawn with no weeds all year. The combination of hardscapes and green turf can be stunning in the front yard, rear yard or around a pool.

Q: What are the main qualities I should know about?

A: The short answer is yarn, color and length.

The long answer is:

The process starts with the yarn. Yarn is the basic turf material used in the blade (as in blades of grass), design and selection.

The yarn manufacturing source can be key to product longevity, style, appearance and wearability. Our sources say that some international sources are of inferior quality, making some products wear out faster. Some turf brands falsely claim to be made in the U.S., but the yarn is internationally sourced and assembled in the U.S. Be sure to choose turf made in the USA, where quality yarn and, subsequently, quality products are made.

Blade construction includes shape, size, product durability and color.

There are several different shades of green and textures to select from. Check to see if the product contains thatch. Thatch begins as yellow yarn in differing thicknesses and shapes. When woven into the turf, it adds to the softness and authenticity of the turf look.

Turf comes in different lengths, and depending upon the application, this matters. Two-inch blades tend to be effective for aesthetic applications where traffic over the turf will be light. If used in heavy traffic areas, it has a tendency to flatten out.

One-inch and 1½-inch long blades are designed for heavier traffic such as playground areas, pet areas and such.

Softness characterizes artificial turf these days. You want the area where children play and people walk barefoot to be soft and not scratchy like turf was 20 years ago. Blade variation in thickness, shape and length helps make this possible.

Q: I have children and pets who will be playing on the turf. I am concerned about the odor and afraid the turf will be too hot.

A: A couple of upgrades can help remedy odor and lessen the heat.

• Cool blade technology. Arizona gets hot, and artificial turf gets hot, too, if not done correctly. Standard blade technology can get turf up to 118 degrees. That is too hot for kids or pets to play on. When you select areas to put turf, which is a play area or even an area where anyone will walk barefoot, consider cool blade technology. The blades of grass are hollow, which allows for greater ventilation and heat transfer to the air. This technology allows the turf to be cooler and walkable and costs more than standard turf. But remember: always test the surface in the summer before allowing a little one or pet on it.
• Pet odor mitigation. The areas where pets do their business accumulate ammonia from urine, which can really put a damper on outdoor living spaces. Envirofill is a product designed to break down ammonia into harmless compounds that don't smell. It is expensive and it is recommended to place it only in areas specifically set aside for pets, kids or bare feet.

Q: How can I know I will get a good result?

A: Always, always, always vet the contractor!

• Get references and look at their former work.
• Ask past customers if they received good customer service and if they were happy with the results.
• See if you can view past jobs. Has the color of the grass faded? Are the seams holding and invisible? Is the family using it? Why or why not?

Rosie has a free guide to choose a contractor for any trade. Take the time to read it at rosieonthehouse.com and know the right questions to ask before you spend your hard-earned money.

It is worth mentioning again that water savings without grass can add up. If your lawn is becoming more of a burden to care for, and you love your green, artificial turf might be in your future.