The Best Types Of Surfaces For Laying Artificial Grass

There are several reasons you might be considering laying artificial grass in your yard — or at least over a portion of it. Not only is it easier to maintain that natural grass, but it also is unappealing to pests that could otherwise invade your yard. If you're intrigued by the benefits of artificial turf, then you probably have some questions about where you'll be able to put it in your yard. 

Well, you'll be glad to hear that one additional benefit of an artificial turf lawn over a natural grass one is how versatile it is. Unlike grass, which you can pretty much only grow over soil, artificial turf can be laid over many different surfaces, including stone pavers, cement, and wood. However, before you start using it in your outdoor space, there are some important things you'll want to know about where to apply, the necessary prep work you should complete first, and other considerations.

One reason artificial grass is appealing is because it can be laid over different surface types. One of these compatible surface types is soil. It can help you easily transform a weedy or bare lawn into a lush, green, and maintenance-free space with relative ease. However, you can only install artificial grass over bare soil — not existing natural grass. Trying to lay it over grass won't be effective because the surface will be uneven due to the real grass growing beneath the artificial turf. This could damage the material as a result of real blades of grass or weeds poking through. Instead, you'll need to kill and remove all the existing vegetation before removing the layer of topsoil and grading the surface to make sure it is smooth and level.

Unlike natural grass, you can also lay artificial turf over hard surfaces, including stone, concrete, brick, wood and even plastic. However, if you want the turf to stay in place and continue to look great for years to come, there are several important things to think about. One of these is drainage. Without sufficient drainage, puddles can form beneath the turf, causing the artificial turf to degrade or even wash away. You should also only consider laying turf on these hard surfaces if they are in good shape (i.e. free of cracks or wobbly sections). Surfaces with lots of depressions or raised sections also won't be ideal. These imperfections can interfere with the artificial turf's ability to stay in place, and you may find that you need to replace your artificial lawn sooner than anticipated.

Before you attempt to lay artificial grass in your yard or even on your wood deck, there are a few safety and environmental concerns to keep in mind. First, artificial turf is made from plastic, which can contain several chemicals that may be hazardous to human health. A few of these include arsenic, benzene, cadmium, and chromium, all of which are known carcinogens. The material is also made using zinc, which is a neurotoxicant, VOCs, which can cause respiratory problems, and latex, which is an allergen for some individuals. If you have young children or pets that will be playing around directly on your artificial lawn, you may want to weigh these risks even more carefully. A plastic lawn could be even worse than you think. Beyond these health concerns, remember that birds won't be as attracted to your yard if there aren't any bugs for them to eat.

Another issue with artificial lawns is how hot they can get. Compared to natural grass, the material radiates heat. During the already hot summer months, the surface could become dangerously hot — enough to potentially burn bare skin that comes into contact with it.