Frequently asked questions
When it comes to artificial grass, there’s more than meets the eye. You’ve probably already noticed that, the more you get immersed into this world of lush green spaces, the more questions pop up. Therefore, we’ve created 5 categories for you to browse through. Find out all the ins and outs on our landscape turf, our services and our expertise.
General questions on landscape turf
How do I choose the right landscape turf?
First, you make a selection of products that match your technical criteria. For example, with kids or pets around, most people go for a lower pile height. After that, it’s a matter of looks, feel and price – in that order.
Need help to make these choices? Contact your local dealer.
Can I use landscape turf for swimming pool areas?
Yes, landscape turf is an excellent surface for a pool deck or the lawn around your swimming pool. It stays green no matter what, it’s easy to maintain, and it provides a slip-free surface for people entering or exiting the water. Also, the chlorine won’t decolor or degrade the landscape turf, while you’ll no longer find fresh-cut blades of grass in your pool.
Read more on landscape turf for pool areas.
Is soft landscape turf also resilient?
Of course. To deliver a unique experience, we have developed Vv-shaped yarns for our landscape turf range. The result: a softer feel without loss of resilience.
Does landscape turf maintain its original color throughout the years?
Yes. If you buy premium landscape turf like Turfgrass, it does. Not only is the product designed to last, we have also tested it extensively for color fastness and UV resistance under extreme circumstances, with warranties of up to 10 years.
By being part of a vertically integrated industrial group (B.I.G.), we control the whole production process: from raw material sourcing, to yarn extrusion and finishing. That way, we guarantee color fastness and UV protection.
Sustainability
How sustainable is the production of landscape turf?
At B.I.G., the industrial group behind Turfgrass, we aim to reduce our environmental footprint to zero by 2030. Among the specific targets to achieve that goal: producing flooring products (including landscape turf) that are 100% circular by 2030.
A selection of efforts to illustrate our sustainability roadmap:
√ Turfgrass production is in line with ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 45001 (health and safety management).
√ Our production plant in Spain is equipped with solar panels to generate renewable energy.
√ Various adjustments have lowered our energy needs for production.
√ Operational waste dropped by 5-10% in 2022.
√ We integrate an increasing amount of recycled content that stems from internal waste into the yarns for our landscape turf.
√ The ecobackings made from polyolefin that hold several of our products together result in reduced material needs, water consumption and CO2 emissions.
√ Turfgrass actively promotes organic infill: rounded (non-angular), sieved, washed and dried silica sand.
Is Turfgrass recyclable?
As our artificial grass is made from common materials, including polypropylene, polyethylene and nylon, it can be recycled in most cases. The recycled materials can be used to make garden or playground furniture, for example.
To improve recyclability, we aim for so-called mono-material solutions. These consist of components that are either 100% polypropylene or 100% polyethylene, resulting in a product that can be completely recycled. Next to that, our new polyolefin ecobackings further boost recyclability.
How does landscape turf compare to natural grass in terms of sustainability?
You’d be forgiven for thinking that natural grass is the more environmental option – it’s natural, right? The truth is, it’s not that black and white, because landscape turf comes with a number of pros. You don’t have to mow your grass, nor water it, nor use fertilizers to make it grow. All these actions can cause harmful air or ground-water pollution.
Maintenance
What can cause damage to my landscape turf?
Although its durable materials and super-strong backing make premium landscape turf withstand quite some wear and tear, it’s not immune to damage. The usual culprits are:
√ fire (e.g. cigarettes or barbecue charcoal)
√ chemicals (e.g. pesticides)
√ sharp objects (e.g. furniture)
√ reflective surfaces (e.g. windows or mirrors)
√ oil-based paint
What to do in case of permanent damage or stubborn stains?
Permanent damage:
It’s possible to repair damaged artificial grass yourself. That is: if the burned, torn, or discolored section of your synthetic lawn is relatively small and you’re armed with some basic DIY skills and tools. Very much like a carpet repair, you can cut out the damaged section and replace it with a leftover piece of landscape turf.
Stubborn stains:
Use a mixture of ammonia and water (dilute sufficiently) to remove the stain. Make sure to rub it in with a cloth or sponge.
Which tools do I need to maintain landscape turf?
These tools are all useful:
√ stiff brush (tip: a mechanical brush delivers the best results)
√ plastic rake (tip: avoid sharp metal rakes)
√ leaf blower
√ hedge trimmer (for any overhanging foliage)
√ weed killer
√ detergent
How do I keep my landscape turf clean and tidy? (step-by-step guide)
Step 1: remove leaves, twigs and debris regularly with a leaf blower, stiff brush or plastic rake. If not, organic material can pile up and affect the drainage capacity of your landscape turf. Pro tip: to limit the number of leaves falling onto the lawn, regularly trim back hedges and overhanging trees.
Step 2: apply a water-based weed killer twice a year, because airborne seeds could sprout in your landscape turf. And if weeds do succeed in growing in your landscape turf lawn or playground, pour boiling water directly over them. Wait a few hours and pull out the weeds.
Step 3: for pristine grass, hose it down from time to time using a light detergent and a stiff brush. Especially when there’s heavy foot traffic, rinsing off your artificial grass will wash away any built-up dirt or pollen.
Step 4: remove residues such as dog poop or food spills as fast as possible. If they leave a stain, you can apply a special cleaning product to remove it. Household cleaning solvents like detergent or ammonia are also great options for difficult stains, but you should avoid anything that includes chlorine or bleach.
Good to know: brushing your landscape turf regularly can prevent it from dipping or flattening, and will also keep the bristles standing.
How do I remove ice or snow from my landscape turf?
As a general rule of thumb: don’t remove ice, as you can easily damage the grass. Leaving the ice to melt is completely safe and the excess water will just drain out.
Snow is a different story. Our advice: take a shovel and gently scoop off the upper layer of the snow. Leave a thin layer on top of the grass and remove what’s left with a broom or brush. In any case, don’t use any harsh chemicals like anti-freeze products on your artificial grass. The same goes for salt. It won’t directly harm the grass, but as the salt residue sinks into the backing, it will reduce the drainage capacity of your landscape turf.
Does heavy rainfall affect my landscape turf?
No. At least not if you had it installed by a Turfgrass-certified installer. Our artificial grass has a drainage capacity of 60 liters per minute and m². This will ensure that your artificial lawn does not become flooded or unstable. If you want to make sure the drainage capacity of the grass remains the same, remove as much debris as you can to stop the drainage holes from getting clogged.
Safety
Is landscape turf safe for children?
That’s easy: yes – including new-born babies and toddlers.
For example, Turfgrass combines these 6 safety benefits for kids:
√ contains strictly non-toxic and lead-free materials
√ fibers that don’t irritate a kid’s sensitive skin
√ a soft cushioning effect to avoid injuries when falling
√ no trouble with ticks, mites or other insects
√ infill to keep the little feet cool in summertime
√ highly resistant to wear and tear
Is landscape turf suitable for pets?
Absolutely. You probably wonder what happens when your furry friend pees or poops on artificial grass. The good news: you won’t have to clean urine. It drains away in the same way as rainwater. However, you will need to scoop up and dispose of dog poop just as you would do when your pet makes a mess on natural grass. It is also recommended to hose down the poop-affected area to completely eliminate any residual mess.
Does landscape turf attract pollen?
No, quite the contrary.
Landscape turf is produced with materials that are free of allergens. Of course, it is not a miracle cure, but by installing artificial grass, you can keep pollen out of your garden and therefore increase the distance between yourself and the pollen.
Pro tip: install artificial grass at entry points to your home, such as air conditioning units, vents, windows and doors. When you enter your home through one of these entry points, you leave the pollen outside.
What type of infill is safe?
Infill is a substance that is dispersed over a newly installed artificial grass area to fill in the space between the grass blades. Of course, the type of infill that should be used, depends on the purpose of the artificial grass.
Turfgrass always recommends using organic infill, such as washed and dried rounded silica sand. Silica sand is very fine sand that has been dried in an oven to remove the moisture. It is brushed into your artificial lawn and the tiny grains of sand sink to the bottom of the carpet and come to rest on the PU backing.
Installation
Can I install landscape turf on soil?
Yes. Depending on the environment, the climatic conditions and purpose, different layers (together 5-20 cm) could be applied:
√ Start with a ground layer of larger stones for better drainage and stability.
√ On top, make a layer of small stones and (stabilized) sand. This flattens the surface.
√ If necessary, apply another layer of gravel to further flatten the surface.
√ Just below your artificial grass goes a geotextile for drainage reasons and to keep weeds from growing through the backing.
Pro tip: before you start, make sure all remaining roots are removed from the soil.
Can I install landscape turf on a concrete surface?
Of course. However, your flat, concrete surface should have a drainage system. If that’s the case, you simply put a geotextile on top before installing the landscape turf. Does the concrete surface have joints? Use two layers of geotextile to avoid the joints from being visible through your artificial grass.
Pro tip: try to aim for a 1% incline for drainage purposes and a better outlook.
Should I use infill after installation?
The use of infill is optional, but we always recommend it, except when you’re installing artificial grass:
√ on a steep slope
√ around a swimming pool
√ with a pile height below 30 mm
Turfgrass recommends using washed and dried rounded silica sand for landscaping projects. Silica sand is very fine sand that has been dried in an oven to remove the moisture. Turfgrass applies the following specifics: 8 – 10 kg/m², dia 0.8 – 1.2 mm (depending on the pile height).
What are the pros and cons of infill for landscape turf?
Pros
√ Keeps the grass in place
√ Better support for the grass fibers
√ Cools down the grass on hot days
√ Extra protecting for the backing
√ Improved fire resistance
√ Optimal drainage
√ No static electricity
Cons
√ Additional installation costs
√ Visible between short grass blades
Can I install landscape turf myself?
Sure, if you have the necessary skills and equipment. But even then, installing artificial grass is not as easy as it looks. Common mistakes include poor drainage, insufficient surface preparation, not allowing the grass to acclimate, and using the wrong equipment or landscape turf. This, in turn, leads to puddles on the surface, edges curling up, a checkerboard grass pattern … In short, installation errors can have big consequences.
Rather play it safe? Contact a Turfgrass-certified installer for help.
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