http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog Your Resource Into the Synthetic Grass World. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:40:53 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/31/get-your-water-saving-rebates-for-installing-turf-if-you-can/ http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/31/get-your-water-saving-rebates-for-installing-turf-if-you-can/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:44:26 +0000 DigitalTurfDealer http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/?p=738 Another indicator of a down economy: Rebates from water districts, encouragements for homeowners to install synthetic grass, are starting to dry up. Some desert areas, such as Las Vegas and Scottsdale, Arizona, continue to offer residential customers incentives to replace (or not plant) natural grass in favor of artificial turf. In Las Vegas, residents who install water-wise landscaping such as synthetic grass receive $1.50 per square foot, with a limit of 5,000 square feet. In Scottsdale, the rebate is a maximum 50 cents per square foot. Some cities in the Coachella Valley Water District’s service area can receive $2.00 per square foot. And in other communities in the West, water-saving rebates can be had for installing waterless turf. However, many water providers have discontinued their rebates since the high-water mark of 2009, when most residents in Southern California were eligible for H2O-saving rebates of 75 cents or more per square foot for installing artificial turf. The city of Riverside is an exception, still promoting $1.00 per square foot incentives; most municipalities have retracted rebate programs. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, a consortium of 26 agencies that once was a big backer of water-saving rebates for synthetic grass, now leaves those to the discretion of individual suppliers.]]> http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/31/get-your-water-saving-rebates-for-installing-turf-if-you-can/feed/ 0 http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/31/durafill-a-testament-to-the-best-in-modern-infill/ http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/31/durafill-a-testament-to-the-best-in-modern-infill/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:42:00 +0000 DigitalTurfDealer http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/?p=733 In the beginning of infilled synthetic grass, there was a void, a multitude of space between the fibers where a “synthetic soil” belonged. It was decreed that rubber, ground from tires, could serve as the infill material for that turf. And the athletes who played on that first generation of turf saw that it was good … until their revelation that the granules bounced around, and under full sun the black rubber absorbed heat of biblical proportions. This begat the introduction of raw silica as infill … which led to an epiphany that mere sand was abrasive like sandpaper, compacted hard, limited drainage, and absorbed all that the family dog dropped onto the turf. And it came to pass that to deliver artificial turf from these evils, a different infill was needed. And so Synthetic Grass Warehouse introduced Durafill: the cool, clean and pet-friendly granules that make even non-believers sing its praise. Durafill, composed of rounded quartz core mined from the Hickory Formation in central Texas, is specially designed for use in artificial turf. It looks and feels natural and is warranted to perform for 16 years. Durafill is also manufactured with Microban antimicrobial product protection to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew that can cause odors and even staining.]]> http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/31/durafill-a-testament-to-the-best-in-modern-infill/feed/ 0 http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/04/this-is-the-way-we-keep-the-turf-standing-at-attention/ http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/04/this-is-the-way-we-keep-the-turf-standing-at-attention/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:23:56 +0000 DigitalTurfDealer http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/?p=729 Same as carpet, artificial turf looks bad when it’s matted down. Why does one synthetic grass flop over like a wet taco, while another stands tall and looks natural? It really doesn’t take a Ph.D. in Turfology to grasp the concept. The polyethylene yarns in today’s turf are manufactured to stand perpendicular to the backing, but with suppleness and resiliency similar to natural grass. The idea is to look and feel like a natural lawn, and synthetic grass does this well. Sometimes it does the job too well. Under heavy traffic, the blades of natural grass get stomped and matted, and synthetic grass behaves the same way. But while Mother Nature can regenerate or grow new fibers, synthetic grass needs the benefit of a good brushing – or forward-thinking engineering – to look good again. Installation techniques, infill in particular, helps prevent matting in artificial turf. If no one walked on a synthetic lawn, the fibers wouldn’t be subjected to pressure and wouldn’t bend. Because most synthetic grass will be walked on, infilling -- distributing granules among the synthetic grass blades and working it into the pile – is necessary. In filling the voids, proper infill gives the long synthetic fibers something to lean on when they are pressed and bent, enhancing the resilient performance characteristics of the yarn. The choice of turf also determines whether turf is going to lay down on the job. Synthetic grass with wider blades of thicker microns typically stand up best to heavy traffic best. Also, in general, shorter blades (such as those found in SGW’s Pet Turf) will mat down less than taller blades.]]> http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/04/this-is-the-way-we-keep-the-turf-standing-at-attention/feed/ 0 http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/04/reflections-on-turf-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-have-to-look-shiny/ http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/04/reflections-on-turf-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-have-to-look-shiny/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:21:00 +0000 DigitalTurfDealer http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/?p=726 A traditional knock on artificial turf is: It’s shiny, which makes it looks fake. That was a characteristic of the first generations of synthetic grass (i.e., Astroturf) but needn’t be a reason for rejection today. Contemporary polyethylene synthetic grass minimizes reflection and refraction of light, headlined by yarn engineering … a production in which the star of the show DOESN’T sparkle. Under a bright sun, it can difficult to totally eliminate twinkling of light on synthetic grass; the effect is similar to a lawn glistening after it’s been watered. One reason reflections are less apparent are the application of newer ultra-violet coatings, applied to artificial turf to prevent fading; the matte finish “oxidizes” after time under the sun without losing effectiveness, even in pet turf installations. But the design of the artificial turf blades is the most important contributor to the shine factor, and usually determines the realistic appearance of a lawn – one reason why yarn technology is a passion at Synthetic Grass Warehouse.]]> http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2012/01/04/reflections-on-turf-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-have-to-look-shiny/feed/ 0 http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/30/decisions-decisions-which-turf-is-best-for-your-project/ http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/30/decisions-decisions-which-turf-is-best-for-your-project/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:22:05 +0000 DigitalTurfDealer http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/?p=721 And you thought there were lots of options involved in surfing TV channels or shopping for yogurt? SGW warehouses dozens of artificial turfs – synthetic grass with variations in colors and composition, pile height and face weight, blade thickness, texture … such an array of products with so many options it can verge on overwhelming. Why so many choices? In the synthetic grass business, phrases like “One size fits all” or “universal turf” aren’t acceptable anymore. If you’re installing turf for use in a pet resort, it’s not going to be subjected to the same use as turf for a backyard putting green or an indoor soccer arena. Moral of the story: Different applications require different types of synthetic grass. Happily, SGW does offer the widest selection of products for front and back yards … or sports, playground and recreational use … or pet turf … or commercial jobs. Whatever the purpose, we’re able to provide essential knowledge and know-how and help recommend the best turf (or turfs) for your project. Each of our synthetic lawns has some common denominators: all-polyethylene, lead-free fiber; heavy-duty backings with a thick coating of polyurethane; warranted to perform and look great for years with none of the TLC associated with natural grass. And: All of our turf is sold at factory-direct pricing... (click below to read more)]]> http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/30/decisions-decisions-which-turf-is-best-for-your-project/feed/ 0 http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/30/new-order-of-synthetic-grass-begins-with-%e2%80%9cw%e2%80%9d/ http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/30/new-order-of-synthetic-grass-begins-with-%e2%80%9cw%e2%80%9d/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:59:41 +0000 DigitalTurfDealer http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/?p=717 There’s a new way to spell the latest and greatest in artificial turf: With a “W.” Synthetic Grass Warehouse – the industry leader in fiber quality and innovation – is unveiling an exclusive high-tech W yarn now available in a new product, Diamond Pro Spring turf. The corrugated grass blade, dubbed W and developed in conjunction with TenCate and TigerTurf, is a design breakthrough in resilient, natural-looking synthetic turf for all applications. The W-shaped profile, a series of lateral parallel concaves in polyethylene monofilament, represents a significant advance over conventional slit-film or single-spine turfs. The resulting “memory” fiber resists matting with enhanced durability, ideal for residential and commercial, play and pet turf use … but with reduced shine and sparkle. The W fiber looks and feels more like real grass than ever before. A culmination of extensive research and development, W can be considered an evolutionary successor to S and C yarns introduced in 2009. It will be integrated into additional SGW lines in 2012. You’ll probably need a magnifying glass to see W’s proprietary innovations in detail – they’re measured in microns -- but its improvements seem gargantuan when compared to old-fashioned rectangular-profile blades cut from sheets of polymer that resulted in synthetic grass prone to laying down and reflecting. W fiber is manufactured in the United States as a singular strand, like the S and C extrusions, then formed into the revolutionary corrugated profile that withstands heavy traffic and minimizes solar glare. In Diamond Pro Spring, a 1¾-inch landscaping synthetic lawn tufted at an ultra-dense 88 ounces per square yard, the benefits of W fiber are obvious. Manufactured in contrasting, complimentary Field Green and Lime Green and a brown thatch, W blades deliver all the appearance and texture of natural grass … except it needs none of the usual maintenance and is a hypo-allergenic, easy-to-clean pet turf. Unlike turfs made by competitors from other plastics, SGW’s W polyethylene is non-abrasive, contains no lead or heavy metals and is 100% recyclable. The state-of-the-art W yarn keeps SGW at the forefront of synthetic grass technology – we deliver the turf of tomorrow, today. ]]> http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/30/new-order-of-synthetic-grass-begins-with-%e2%80%9cw%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/15/maintenance-a-word-seldom-associated-with-synthetic-grass/ http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/15/maintenance-a-word-seldom-associated-with-synthetic-grass/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:02:02 +0000 DigitalTurfDealer http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/?p=707 How best to describe the maintenance necessary with a Synthetic Grass Warehouse synthetic lawn? “Maintenance-free” is a correct adjective – at least compared to natural grass. Modern synthetic turf requires none of the regular maintenance, or tender loving care, that sod does. With SGW synthetic grass there’s no mowing, no watering, no fertilizing and no sweat. An artificial lawn conserves resources, time and money. “Virtually-maintenance free” is the absolutely accurate way to describe synthetic grass. It’s not a magic carpet, so a minimum of effort is needed to, say, sweep or rake the leaves (or use a leaf blower) that fall from a tree onto the synthetic grass. For a pet turf installation, all that’s needed is occasional pick-up of solid waste and a rinse to keep the lawn nice and clean. Compared to the work involved to keep a natural lawn looking immaculate and green, every day is a day off with synthetic grass. “Carefree” may be the best word to describe SGW turf. It looks great and performs flawlessly without everyday upkeep, day after day, year after year, guaranteed. Our synthetic lawns are guaranteed not to fade or come apart for up to 10 years – the longest manufacturer’s warranty in the industry. ]]> http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/15/maintenance-a-word-seldom-associated-with-synthetic-grass/feed/ 0 http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/01/outside-the-box-with-synthetic-grass-apps/ http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/01/outside-the-box-with-synthetic-grass-apps/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:29:11 +0000 DigitalTurfDealer http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/?p=702 One of the greatest advantages of a synthetic lawn is: It “grows” anywhere. More accurately, artificial turf can be installed in residential and urban locations where natural grass isn’t feasible. For example, on a patio. Or a wooden balcony. On top of a roof. Over concrete. Next to a swimming pool. Synthetic grass can transform these and other spaces previously unsuited or unimaginable for lawns into functional and beautiful areas. The results can produce inviting rooftop outdoor environments or entertainment pits, natural-looking terraces and courtyards, and often surprising benefits. Pet turf installed over an unyielding surface such as concrete can be dog- (and owner-) friendly. Synthetic grass will last longer than wood or synthetic deck materials. It’s a lightweight insulation for roofing and has outstanding fire resistance. Happily, these synthetic grass applications are as carefree as maintenance-free backyard turf, typically requiring only a few variations to standard installation concepts. Drainage - The permeability of turf – specifically, the perforation holes – would seem to be purposeless when installing over non-porous surfaces such as a typical concrete slab. However, installation of a cellular drainage mat, glued directly onto the concrete under the turf, will facilitate drainage along the natural slope to any existing drainage points. A non-perforated drainage mat will also allow the synthetic grass to function as a pet turf -- transporting dog urine and liquids readily through the turf system and off the concrete … and preventing accumulation of odor.]]> http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/01/outside-the-box-with-synthetic-grass-apps/feed/ 0 http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/01/turf-undercover-talking-points-for-backings/ http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/01/turf-undercover-talking-points-for-backings/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:26:31 +0000 DigitalTurfDealer http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/?p=698 Obviously in synthetic grass, the fiber is the star of the show. The appearance of the turf counts for a lot, and it’s significant to weigh the color and composition of yarn, density and pile height. But the backing, the skeleton of the turf system, is also important (though less apparent). How a backing is manufactured and what it’s made of is essential to the performance of artificial grass. Almost all turf is has a two-part backing system – a primary woven backing into which fibers are stitched, and a heavier secondary backing that holds the tufts in place and keeps the carpet laying flat. The composition and construction of secondary backings are worth consideration. One great backing debate: Perforated, or non-perforated? Most secondary backings of contemporary synthetic grass are made of urethane and feature perforations, or punched holes every couple of inches, to facilitate drainage. Perforated drainage systems are typically rated at 20 inches per hour of greater. Some manufacturers have introduced non-perforated geotextile backings without perforations (in essence, woven layer melted onto the primary backing) in quest for better drainage and an antidote to pre-existing weeds that try to peek through the turf...(click below to read more)]]> http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/11/01/turf-undercover-talking-points-for-backings/feed/ 0 http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/10/20/is-artificial-field-turf-right-for-your-backyard/ http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/10/20/is-artificial-field-turf-right-for-your-backyard/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:11:41 +0000 DigitalTurfDealer http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/?p=694 The artificial turf that surfaces football, soccer, baseball and multi-sports fields is safe, long-lasting and looks a lot like natural grass – especially when viewed on TV, or from 10 rows up in the grandstand. However, field turf is not necessarily the best option when installing synthetic grass in your back yard. Turf manufactured and installed specifically for sports fields is almost always designed for a purpose different than fake grass used in residential applications. Both types originate as an infilled product, typically with a non-abrasive, non-absorptive polyethylene grass fiber and a perforated polyethylene/urethane backing. Otherwise there are significant and obvious differences. For a field turf, safety is a predominant concern – especially shock absorbency for high-speed collision games such as football. Usually an artificial turf field gets its shock absorbency from rubber granules distributed between the fibers as a synthetic “soil,” and the more rubber, the better. Thus athletic field turf is most often characterized by an extra-deep monofilament pile, usually 2 ¼ inches or more, because as a pile is taller the more shock-absorbent rubber infill can be installed. Sometimes a synthetic football field will have grass 2 ¾ inches tall, with six or seven pounds of infill, and will have a decidedly “squishy,” or rubbery consistency as you walk on it... (click below to read more).]]> http://www.syntheticgrasswarehouse.com/blog/2011/10/20/is-artificial-field-turf-right-for-your-backyard/feed/ 0