Many people has a misunderstanding of what artificial grass is. Artificial grass is also known as synthetic grass or artificial turf, and generally comes from the original “astro-turf” that was created in the seventies. The Houston Astros baseball team had a domed stadium due to the heat, and installed a plastic product in the outfield that resembled grass, which could not grow without natural sunlight. This product did not feel like real grass, and for many years it was only used in situations like this one. The population boom in desert communities brought about more interest in it, and as interest grows better products are developed. Over time, artificial turf began to look more and more like real grass, and through different installation techniques it also began to feel like it. The artificial turf products that we have today look nearly nothing like the astro-turf of the old days, and because of these improvements it is now viewed as a legitimate beautification product for homes in areas where there is not enough water to grow grass effectively. But what is artificial grass actually?
Artificial grass starts as plastic pellets that are melted and mixed with green coloring of different hues. Depending on which type of grass is attempting to be simulated will determine the hue of green that is used. The plastic is pushed through plates that have holes in them, which create the look of a blade of grass. Each of these blades is cut and then adhered to a backing material that is permeable, done so to allow liquid to pass through it. This is one of the improvements over the old astro-turf, which would pool because liquid could not pass through effectively. The plastic grass is then cut into sections and rolled for transport to stores. The installation of the artificial turf is important to getting good results, and one of the most important aspects of the process is the prep of the land and the install of a compacted filler material underneath. This provides better drainage capabilities and also provides a cushioning aspect that makes the artificial grass feel more real. After the product is staked to the ground, it is then fluffed up with a material that is spread on top and then raked in, which supports the individual blades of grass and makes them stand up like real grass. Seams are joined and edges are finished. When all is said and done you will have an area that looks and feels like real grass.
Artificial grass needs no water or mowing, because it is not a growing plant. As a matter of fact it needs no maintenance at all, and under most circumstances it should last for many years without wearing out or needing to be replaced. Most artificial turf manufacturers will provide a guarantee of at least five years of more that their product will not change color or wear out. Artificial grass is perfect for communities like Las Vegas, and provides a safe and comfortable ground covering that will both protect people from falls and also improve values.