Written by Timothy Dale | Updated 2:23 PM, October 25, 2021

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Tired of the tedious work of pruning and watering your yard? Is there a shady place where no grass can grow? Maybe it's time to replace your real grass with artificial grass. As a synthetic alternative, it requires less maintenance and remains green.

The best artificial grass allows you to enjoy most of the benefits of a lush lawn, including appearance. The lawn that suits you depends on where you want to install it, how you want it to look, who will use the lawn (such as pets), and the flow of people.

Read on for tips on finding the right artificial turf for your outdoor space, and explore the quality options below.

Take the time to learn more about the various factors that may affect the appearance and durability of synthetic turf products, and make sure to find the best artificial grass for your yard, terrace or personal putting green. There are several different types of fake grass with different pile heights. Some synthetic grasses can even be made with treated turf fibers to help withstand direct sunlight or the wear and tear normally associated with sports turf.

Artificial grass is divided into three general types, each based on the type of yarn used to make them: nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene. The number and frequency of human use of artificial turf is called the flow of people. When choosing an artificial turf option, please consider how many steps the artificial turf will face every day. If you have a lot of people in your yard—for example, there are many children and dogs playing every day—you need to choose a material that can withstand wear and tear.

The pile height of fake grass refers to the length of the blade of grass, usually in inches or millimeters. The longer the pile height, the more durable the turf. The professional sports field has artificial grass, and the pile height can be up to 3 inches, so it can withstand wear and tear.

Large crowded areas such as playgrounds or amateur sports fields require a pile height of 1.5 inches to 2 inches. A medium-traffic area like your backyard requires a pile height of 1 inch to 1.5 inches. For locations with low traffic such as apartment balconies, a pile height of 0.5 inch to 1 inch is appropriate.

After laying artificial grass, one of its benefits is that it is easy to maintain. There is no need to water or fertilize artificial grass, and no pesticides or fertilizers are needed. In order to maintain artificial grass, be sure to rake branches, leaves, and other yard debris, and rinse them regularly to keep it clean and smell fresh (especially if you have pets).

Some artificial grasses are inherently resistant to the destructive rays of the sun, called ultraviolet (UV) protection. Ultraviolet protection can prevent artificial grass from fading in the sun, and prevent its backing from decomposing and causing grass fibers to fall off. If you live in an area with strong sunlight, you may need artificial grass with built-in UV protection to make it last longer.

Fillers are sand or sand-like materials placed on artificial turf to support the leaves, press down the turf, and simulate the absorption quality of the soil. It helps the artificial turf feel and look more realistic. Not all artificial grass products contain it, but adding it can protect your turf from heavy traffic and ultraviolet rays.

In addition, artificial grass usually has a variety of green tones. Most artificial grass products use mixed colors to produce a more realistic appearance. The blades of high-quality artificial grass have soft edges and strong tips, which look authentic. Some artificial grasses even have a layer of thatch, which helps make the yard look less perfect and more realistic.

We evaluated some of the best-performing artificial grasses, measured them based on our purchase considerations, and selected the favorites for various user needs.

PET GROW artificial grass carpet can withstand moderate traffic and has a waterproof backing, making it an ideal choice for various places. This polypropylene artificial grass can be used in gardens, backyards and front yards. With built-in drainage holes and waterproof rubber backing, this grass can handle pet urine.

This artificial grass has a pile of 1.37 inches, a random pattern of blade shapes and four natural tones, with a realistic appearance. PET GROW is heat-resistant and fade-resistant, and has a multi-layer backing for excellent durability.

Petgrow's artificial turf provides many functions at a low price. It is made of polypropylene and has a 1.37-inch blade, which looks realistic and can withstand moderate traffic. It is soft to the touch and blends four green tones into the yarn to create a realistic lawn look.

The artificial turf has drainage holes and rubber backing, which is easy to clean and durable, and can be used for a long time. These holes are also pet-friendly because they can pass urine.

Although many users can appreciate the look and feel of artificial grass, the goal of most manufacturers is to create a product that is very similar to the look and texture of natural grass. Goasis Lawn’s product mixes green tones and soft polyethylene fibers to mimic real grass, allowing users to install this impressive alternative without making an amazing difference in the look and feel of the yard.

Artificial turf has a wide range of sizes, with a pile height of 1.38 inches, which is very suitable for medium traffic, such as children and pets playing in the yard. The product has a thick and durable polypropylene backing, which helps improve the durability of the grass without affecting its appearance. In addition, this anti-ultraviolet artificial grass is woven with a layer of fake thatch in the design to imitate the authenticity of the turf.

SunVilla is the place we chose to cover between flower beds, shrubs and vegetable beds because it does not require any fillers to withstand the flow of people. Users can spend their energy and time on caring for the garden instead of artificial grass. It is made of polyethylene and polypropylene yarn, with a tough polypropylene backing, and the pile length is 1.38 inches.

Users can walk around on their garden bed, work, water and weed, as can SunVilla artificial grass. Its grass blades are made of four colors of yarn, giving the artificial turf a realistic appearance, because all grass blades of one color look fake. It is made of non-toxic lead-free materials, so harmful chemicals will not penetrate the garden. It is also UV resistant.

LITA’s artificial grass strikes a balance between beauty and durability, making it ideal for backyards with frequent activities. Its blades are made of soft, durable polyethylene and polypropylene yarns, which look and feel like real grass. The four tones imitate the tones of natural lawns.

The built-in UV resistance keeps this artificial turf from fading for many years, while the polypropylene backing and 1.38 inches of fluff make it durable. The product has a perforated backing that can drain quickly, so it will dry out soon after rain. The manufacturer recommends adding fillers (sold separately) to extend the life of the product.

If you have kids playing football games in the yard in the fall, or you just want to add ultra-durable artificial grass to your landscape, this artificial grass is a good choice. It has a 1.6-inch-long braid, woven through a polyurethane backing with drainage holes to prevent water accumulation and make cleaning easier.

This artificial grass uses subtle changes in color, size, and texture to make the blade look more realistic. It even has imitation thatch at the bottom of its blades, so it looks imperfect like a real lawn. It can withstand the twists, turns and jumps brought about by football and other high-energy activities.

This artificial turf carpet provides a soft and safe surface for children. It is made of medium density polypropylene, which is resistant to stains and UV damage. The carpet has 1.25-inch long blades, which are soft under the feet but not thick enough for children to stand on their feet.

The backing of iCustomRug artificial grass is perforated to allow rainwater and hoses to drain, taking away dirt and grime, and the edge bands prevent the artificial grass from dispersing over time. Please keep in mind that some grass threads may become loose, posing a suffocation hazard to young children, so be sure to pay attention to them when children play on this kind of fake grass.

If you find yourself living in a city but lack the feel and appearance of a yard, please cover your balcony floor with artificial turf. This Pet Grow artificial grass has a 0.5-inch low pile that can withstand normal pedestrian traffic in order to add a piece of green to a small urban environment.

Artificial turf has medium-density polypropylene blades and drainage holes, which allow rainwater to drain, so it will not breed mold. The artificial grass has a rubber backing and can be spread directly on the concrete floor of the balcony, making it easy to install.

Use this high-quality, durable PET GROW PG1-4 artificial grass to improve the appearance of your yard. Or, the cheap Petgrow Deluxe artificial turf is soft and suitable for children and pets.

Extensive research on each product, including a thorough inspection of durability, style, color, texture, backing and overall structure, is necessary for the selection of top artificial grass products. Durability is one of the most important factors, because artificial turf is often walked by people and animals, which can quickly destroy unqualified artificial turf.

In addition, the appearance and texture of artificial grass are key components in the selection process, because most users are looking for an artificial product that is very similar to natural grass. The material and style of artificial grass are considered from the appearance and durability of the product, and the pile height and product material are also necessary conditions for determining the suitability of walking. Artificial grass products with built-in drainage holes or multilayer backing to improve durability are generally considered superior to similar products that lack these features.

Urine from dogs and other animals may damage the live grass, but it will drain through the backing of the artificial grass without damaging the surface.

You can, but you shouldn't. Doing so can cause long-term problems such as grass or weeds growing through the artificial grass backing and poor drainage, thereby shortening the life of the artificial grass.

The thickness or pile height depends on the user's preference. Choose higher pile heights for areas with heavy traffic such as sports fields to cushion the impact on the ground. For low-flow landscape lawns or balconies that are rarely used, use shorter pile heights.

Generally speaking, the pile height of artificial grass should be between 0.5 and 1 inch for low flow areas, between 1 and 1.5 inches for medium flow areas, and 1.5 and 2 inches for high flow areas.

Silica sand is one of the best options to place under artificial turf, but you can also use crushed granite, gravel and limestone debris. Make sure not to lay artificial grass directly on the soil, as this will cause weeds, natural grass and other plants to grow on the lawn.

Artificial turf requires less maintenance than live turf, but it is not as maintenance-free as some other turf alternatives. In order to maintain its beauty and extend its service life, please follow the following maintenance tips:

On average, artificial grass can last 15 to 20 years. The amount of maintenance and traffic flow affect the life of artificial grass.

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