Many homeowners and business owners throughout the country are turning to artificial grass as a landscaping alternative for their homes and businesses because of it’s ability to stay looking perfect without the extensive ongoing maintenance. When you’re considering artificial grass, it’s important to factor in the amount of expected foot traffic.

How often will your new synthetic grass lawn be used? How many feet or paws will be treading their way across the surface every day? Usage is an important consideration for sure. If you choose a turf not designed to stand up to heavy use from people or pets, your investment could wear out rather quickly. For some customers, their artificial grass is for aesthetic purposes and is rarely walked on. For others, the grass gets heavy use every day. Most folks are somewhere in between. Choosing the right artificial grass for your foot traffic will help you ensure that your turf lasts as long as possible and stays looking lush and well-kept year-round.

Backing

Quality artificial turf usually has two backings. It’s a major factor in a turf product’s durability, as the most hard-wearing turf backings can resist thousands of pounds of resistance per square inch. A primary backing in which the grass yarn is woven and a secondary backing that coats the primary backing and gives it a springier and shock absorbent feel. It is important to get turf with good backing if you want a lawn that will last and offer lots of cushioning. 

Face Weight

One of the biggest mistakes we see people make is choose a product that is too thick. Another factor in your turf’s durability is the face weight. A turf’s face weight refers to the weight of the fibers within the product, not including the weight of the backing. A greater face weight means a denser product, which translates to a more durable turf product. If you expect moderate to high foot traffic at your property, choose a product with a face weight of 70 ounces or above. For lighter foot traffic areas, such as residential or showcase landscaping, a face weight below 60 ounces will be sufficient.

Pile Height

The measurement of the fiber length, referred to as the pile height, is another factor in how well your artificial grass will hold up to high foot traffic. The shorter your turf’s pile height is, the more durable it will be. Longer blades of grass provide a more luxurious look and feel, but they can become matted and unsightly if overused. It’s important to strike the right balance in order to achieve your desired look while selecting a product that can withstand the appropriate amount of foot traffic. If you expect kids, pets, or athletes to utilize the turf on a regular basis, a shorter pile height will be more suitable and increase the lifespan of your artificial grass landscaping.

Your best way to choose a product is view a larger sample on the ground standing at least 6’ away from the turf sample, and stare into the grain or fall of the grass blade. To learn more about which artificial grass product is right for you and your foot traffic level, speak to your installer or contact your local Artificial Turf Factory Outlet location. We can help you find the perfect synthetic grass products and installation accessories for your home or business. We’ve been an industry leader for more than 20 years, helping distributors, installers, and homeowners alike with all of their artificial grass installation needs

Read our guide to picking the best artificial grass for your project.