Energy efficient windows are great way to keep your home cooler by reflecting the sun away from your home.  We have found that the reflection caused by energy efficient windows can magnify the sun to a point of melting the turf.

Artificial grass has a very high melting point of 200 degrees and we have had several projects melt as a result of the reflection from windows.  Please keep in mind that any reflective surface can magnify the rays so a reflection from an older window or say a stainless steel barbecue could possibly have the same effect but it is not as common as with energy efficient windows.

Before I was aware of this phenomenon, I was measuring a project for turf and pavers and would occasionally feel the sun burning my skin.  At the time, it did not register to me that it was a direct result of the reflection from the windows and we proceeded to install the turf as always.  Several weeks later we received a phone call from the homeowner that the turf looked discolored and curly like the pictures below.  Sure enough, the turf had melted.  Upon visiting the project I noticed reflections of bright light that resembled a crescent moon shape.  The turf with the reflective “crescent” shape was so hot that it resembled experiments you would do as a kid with a magnifying glass.

I then began my research and came across an article of a women’s Toyota Prius in Los Angelus (video below) that had melted from her neighbors windows and also a detailed news report from the east coast regarding a women’s vinyl siding melting as a result of her neighbors installing new windows.

Here is a story of a car melting from the reflection of a new glass high rise building.

So what can you do about this?

The good news is that you can still enjoy all of the benefits of synthetic turf and the solution is rather simple. Screens or protective films can be placed on the outside of the windows causing the reflection and it is a relatively inexpensive solution.  Having screens or protective films on the outside of the window will also benefit your homes efficiency.  The U.S. Department of Energy states that an outside window screen is 7 times more effective than interior blinds or window tint.

If you do have windows that face your new artificial turf please have screens, protective films or some type of window protection installed prior to having us install your turf.  Even if there is a tree in place or you think a window will not reflect and damage your turf,  be overly protective as a precautionary measure.

• {Please Note} The damage from the sun’s powerful reflection could be coming from a neighboring property so just because your windows are not causing the issue, you need to ensure that your turf is safe from your surroundings as well.