Identifying Quality Artificial Grass: How to Tell if Artificial Turf is Low Quality

Artificial grass is more popular than ever, and the interest steadily rises with each passing year. Additionally, it is important that you know how to identify quality artificial grass. There are countless different companies offering synthetic turf and installations. You’re requesting bids from multiple contractors, and it is important that you understand what to ask those installers. Asking the right questions will ensure that you are getting quality artificial grass product and service. As such, we have some detailed information about the differences in artificial turf and what it can mean for you.

Beware of Low-Grade Resins

A lot of synthetic turf coming from China, the Middle East and even some synthetic turf that comes from the USA utilize sub-standard resin. Most resins for landscape artificial grass products are either polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) for yarn production.

A lot of synthetic turf that comes from China, uses a low-grade resin which can fade, melt or wear prematurely. The resin type plays a major component in producing quality artificial grass. The breakdown of the turf fibers is due to excessive fillers in the green blade fibers. We’re seeing many failures of foreign artificial grasses as early as three to four years after installation. With quality, American-made yarn, you can expect a lifetime of 10 to 30 years, depending on usage.

Not all American-made yarn is created equally either. Many companies are skimping on the resin quality and using filler materials. It’s not just an issue with the yarn fibers; look out for poor-quality latex backings as well! Most American-made turf employs a urethane secondary coating as opposed to latex. Most latex-backed turf products that come from China use too much filler in the latex, causing the backing to crack and crumble.

Keep in mind that when you buy cheap turf from a company that does not have a long-standing track record, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise. ProGreen International has a proven track record since 1987.

Quality Artificial Grass Does Not Contain Metals

When New Jersey health officials discovered lead contaminants in synthetic turf, it caught the attention of consumers. Kids, athletes and pets could be exposed by inhaling or swallowing lead-laced turf fibers or “dust” kicked up by those active on fields. ProGreen has the most stringent lead testing in the industry.

See this report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further information.

Poor Climatic Dimensional Stability

Synthetic turf backing with poor climatic dimensional stability expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. This constant strain causes seam ruptures and “line dancing.” ProGreen boasts the most dimensionally stable backing available. ProGreen’s uality artificial grass also uses a proprietary four-layer QuadriBIND™ backing on all its products.

One huge misconception in the industry concerning primary backing is the picrate. Picrate measures the tightness of the woven primary backing. For example, if you have the same picrate on two intertwined backings, say an 18/13 picrate, the thickness of the two backings can be completely different! The two thicker primary backings (one 18 pic and the other 13 pic) are much more stable than a thinner 18/13 primary backing picrate. Unless you go with a proven and trusted company like ProGreen, you don’t know for sure!

The Truth about Artificial Grass Warranties

Be suspicious of companies that offer 10-year warranties or more. Why? Because all the yarn extrusion and backing manufacturers only give eight-year warranties. What happens when the product fails in year nine? The company that sold the project with a 10-year warranty must honor the warranty themselves. They can’t fall back on the extrusion and backing manufacturers. In many cases, especially large square footage projects, the company that must honor a 10 year-warranty either finds themselves in a court battle or they go bankrupt. They simply cannot absorb the financial hit of replacing a huge project, so they usually go out of business. This has happened many times to many different companies in the artificial grass industry.

Here’s the bottom line: The warranty you receive is only as good as the company providing it. Just because a company is offering an amazing warranty does not mean they are installing quality artificial grass. That’s why purchasing an eight-year artificial turf warranty from a reputable company that has a proven track-record with a squeaky clean record (no judgments or lawsuits) is much safer than purchasing from a company selling a 10-year warranty.

ProGreen Synthetic Turf Difference:

ProGreen™ prides itself on stepping up to the plate should anything go wrong. ProGreen cares about keeping a solid image and reputation. Additionally, a reputable company with a proven track record like ProGreen uses only the finest quality materials. We focus on quality workmanship in order to avoid warranty issues.

BUYER BEWARE: Look closely at the fine print of a 10-year warranty! Many of these warranties are flimsy at best. You’ll probably find that after the 8-years are up, there’s very little covered in years 9 and 10. If you’re comparing an 8-year warranty to either a 10 or 12-year warranty, it’s not apples to apples. ProGreen grass is made to last, and we still have turf performing very well since its first installation in 1987!

Why Choose ProGreen?

Since 1987, ProGreen has been making the highest-quality artificial grass. All ProGreen synthetic turf products have undergone many years of research and development, including extensive UV, stability, and wear- resistance testing. Most importantly, all ProGreen Synthetic Grass products are guaranteed to last.

Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations; go with the original and highest quality artificial grass in the world, ProGreen!