Artificial Grass FAQs

Artificial Grass FAQ

• What type of license must a contractor have to install artificial grass?

  According to the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), a contractor must either have their C-27 license or their C-61/D12 license to legally install turf. If a contractor has their C-61/D06 (Paver License) or C-12 license and states that they can also install synthetic turf, this is NOT true, as they are not licensed to do so! They must apply for an additional classification with the CSLB and obtain their Synthetic Products license. Install-It-Direct has ALL 3; C-27, D06 and D12.

• What does face weight mean?

  Face weight is how much the yarn weighs per square yard not including the backing or infill (yarn only). This measurement tells you how much product you are getting for your money as long as the comparison is apples to apples. Nylon thatch based products are the most expensive to produce although most artificial turf is produced using 28% nylon thatch. Products can also be made with up to 45% thatch, which increases the quality, durability and thickness. Install-It-Direct carries both products.

• What does yarn technology mean?

  Yarn technology is important when selecting artificial turf. Microns per blade, yarn shape for optimal performance, and stitch rates to balance performance and aesthetics are crucial to achieving a top-quality product. Install-It-Direct takes all of these variables into consideration when choosing only the absolute best artificial turf available worldwide.

• What is the best artificial turf for my project?

  There are many different styles of artificial turf and many of the synthetic turf applications are installed with generic styles of turf due to an assumption that all turf is the same or a limited variety is offered. This is not true, and the Install-It-Direct team can show you all your options and select the best application for your project. Very low activity areas need to address quality, density, and aesthetics whereas areas with mid-level activity or more should have a thatch product with a higher density turf installed. A high-density, thatch-based product significantly recovers better during activity and grooming, as well as a high-quality yarn.

• Are all turf installations relatively the same?

  Not at all. Installation quality is very important for aesthetics and longevity. How the sub-surface is sculpted, how the edges are addressed, how the product is secured, and most importantly how the seams are put together. An inexperienced crew will leave you with noticeable seams, which is not aesthetically pleasing and will continue to open up over time.

• What is Durafill?

  Durafill is the latest technology in infill product for artificial grass. Animal urine and other external elements can not be absorbed by Durafill. This eliminates the buildup of bacterial spores within the infill product. Durafill does not degrade over time and does not need repeated applications. Durafill does not become hot in the heat, is environmentally safe and does not contain silica dust, zinc or heavy metals.

• Do any of your artificial grass products contain lead or other RCRA hazardous waste heavy metals?

  No. Our synthetic turf products contain no detectable traces of lead or other RCRA hazardous waste heavy metals.

• How do I choose between artificial grass products?

  Compare face weights, stitch rates, nylon thatch percentage and backings. There are less expensive backings now with many wonderful claims that do not qualify to be used on sports fields. Comparing the latter will reveal the quality of the products and what you are getting for your money. Yarn technology is more difficult to determine, however, Install-It-Direct only carries the latest technology yarns available.

• Is there any maintenance involved with synthetic turf?

  Yes. Synthetic turf should be rinsed and groomed periodically. The frequency of cleaning should be determined by the activity level. For instance, if your turf is subject to animals and pets it should be rinsed more often. The higher traffic areas should also be groomed more often. To properly clean, and rinse, we suggest you use a stiff bristled broom or rake to groom the fibers. If you have access to a power broom this can work as well too. Occasional grooming will help prevent matting and maintain the appearance. If the turf is not groomed periodically and does mat substantially, we suggest you have it groomed professionally to restore its appearance. We also suggest for areas of heavy path traffic that you place stepping stones or form some kind of path.

• Is artificial grass good for pets?

  Yes, artificial grass is extremely popular for animal hospitals, kennels, ranch owners and homeowners with pets. Animal urine does not damage or stain synthetic turf. Now you can sustain a green lawn year around as opposed to battling the brown spots that are common in natural grass.

• How do I clean artificial turf?

  It’s easy! Simply rinse with water as needed. With pets, pick up solid waste and the residue can be sprayed clean. Rinse as frequently as needed to avoid odors which are a build-up of bacterial spores. Install-It-Direct only uses the best infill, Durafill, which does not absorb external elements, and limits bacteria and odor. For a thorough cleaning, flush the turf with a mixture of 50% white distilled vinegar and 50% water. This will neutralize the bacterial spores.

• Does artificial turf get hot?

  The turf can get hot in temperatures typically above 80-90 degrees in direct sunlight. Blade temperature can be decreased with Durafill infill. Durafill does not heat up like rubber, which other installers use, so it won’t transfer that intense heat into the blades of grass.

• What is the difference between infill and non-infill products?

  Non-infill products make an install faster and less expensive. That being said, we do not advise non-infill products for several reasons. There are important, functional reasons for the infill. Infill gives a barrier and protects the turf during activity. The infill is used for ballast – on a typical install there will be hundreds or thousands of pounds of infill to weigh down the product. The infill offers G-MAX to create softness under your feet, and it’s safer too. Infill also offers a base for increased blade recovery.

• Does the sheen on artificial turf go away? Do some products shine more than others?

  The sheen on your artificial turf will progressively diminish and go away. Some products in the market place are shiner than other for various reasons i.e. wider blades refract more light, rectangular yarns refract more light, and some yarns go through a de-lustering process. The length of time depends on the product shape and the chemical makeup of the yarn.

• What type of license does a contractor need to install artificial grass?

  According to the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), a contractor must either have their C-27 license or their C-61/D12 license to legally install turf. If a contractor has their C-61/D06 (paver license) or C-12 license and states that they can also install synthetic turf, this is NOT true, as they are not licensed to do so! They must apply for an additional classification with the CSLB and obtain their Synthetic Products license. Install-It-Direct carries all three: D06, D12 and C-27.

• Does the artificial grass drain?

  Yes, artificial grass drains. The backing is perforated and will drain as natural grass typically would. If drains are currently required for your natural grass, any new synthetic grass should be treated the same. Many of the synthetic turf products that we install drain 28 inches of rain per hour, per square yard.

• What is the average cost of artificial grass installation?

  The cost of an artificial grass installation project is based on square footage, materials, operations, labor, overhead and company costs. Use our free Artificial Grass Cost Calculator or Artificial Grass Pricing Guide for an estimate on the cost of your next project!