Lawns

Artificial Grass:
Who, What, When, Where, & Why
To Install It

You are beginning to see it more every day. A football field here, a backyard putting green there, and Artificial Grass Everywhere! The “synthetic” or “artificial” turf industry is experiencing exponential growth. As the stigma of the old indoor/outdoor carpet fades away and turf manufacturers turn out products that last longer, look more realistic, and cost less than natural grass to install and maintain, more and more people are asking the questions: “Who, What, When, Where, & Why”, install artificial grass?

Let’s start with “What”. Artificial turf is typically made out of plastic or nylon fibers on a urethane backing. It is manufactured very similar to carpet and, in most cases, is run at the carpet mills back in Georgia. Manufacturers are offering limited warranties ranging between 5 and 10 years. It is important that you hire an experienced, qualified installer as many of the warranties will not be honored if materials are not installed according to manufacturer’s specifications.

When & Where? New uses for synthetic turf are popping up everyday. The most common applications are residential lawns, golf practice areas and putting greens, commercial common areas, parks, pet areas, children’s play areas, and athletic fields. Each of these individual applications have a different installation process and specific concerns to address. It is important that you know the difference so that you can make sure that your contractor does. Installations in Southern California are done year round so the answer to “When?” is anytime. Keep in mind that most installation companies book between 2-4 weeks out. It is always a good idea to get a turf project designer involved in the planning process early when doing a design on a new landscape project. A proper design can help keep costs lower and increase functionality.

Why? There are a plethora of reasons why synthetic turf is a viable solution to problems and expenses of real grass. Artificial grass requires virtually no water and minimal maintenance. Although up front costs are typically higher, industry rumors are that most synthetic turf products have a life expectancy of 15-25 years, depending who you ask. If you factor the cost of irrigation, soil preparation, sod, a gardener, fertilizer, pest control, allergy medicine, and water usage over this period of time, the decision to have synthetic turf installed is an easy one. Artificial golf and putting greens offer the opportunity to practice without having to drive to the range or club, they keep the family at home for a fun and productive activity, can be a selling point to prospective home buyers, and look fantastic all year round.

Who? The California State Contractors License Board gives some crucial advice on hiring a contractor. Please see the article on their website, www.clsb.ca.gov titled, “10 Tips For Making Sure Your Contractor Measures Up”. These are all very important but there are a few that stand out:

Hire a licensed contractor. This gives you recourse if, heaven forbid, something goes wrong.
Get three references and review their work. Please take the time to get out on the product and see the differences in material and quality of installation. Talk to a customer that has had the product in for several years to see how it has held up and how satisfied they are with the product. Don’t buy the car before you test drive it.
Get a detailed contract and don’t sign anything until you understand the terms. Make sure that every step in the installation process is detailed in the contract and try to be around during the installation to make sure that no corners were cut during installation.

Another piece of advice; ask to talk to the installer who will be working on your product directly. Salesmen can paint a great picture, but if you are about to spend $7,000 on a putting green, you want to make sure that the person showing up to build it, understands the game. There are too many companies that subcontract inexpensive labor. The crew leader may have never swung a golf club, be difficult if not impossible to communicate with, and have very little experience as a golf green designer/builder. Don’t be afraid to make them prove themselves to you.

One company that meets or exceeds all of the above criteria is Player’s Choice Putting Greens, Inc., a Southern California based corporation devoted to the design and installation of synthetic turf products. With over 16 years experience, you can trust that your designer and installer are experts, know how to create exactly what you want, and can offer a unique creative opinion that will set your project apart. Placing great emphasis on detail, design, and comprehensive completion, they guarantee your satisfaction!

Player’s Choice Putting Greens, Inc. uses only the highest quality materials available on the market today. They work closely with manufacturers, giving creative input in the development of new product lines which replicate the more indigenous grasses of the Southern California region. Player’s Choice Putting Greens, Inc. offers free in-home consultations and will give you a thorough education into the products and installation techniques used throughout the synthetic turf industry. Player’s Choice Putting Greens, Inc. can be reached by calling 951-506-3041.