If you’ve been reading our blog, we’ve probably convinced you that artificial grass is a simple way you can be good to the environment, free up some hours in your day, and keep a few dollars in your pocket after the initial installation. Cleaning it is nearly effortless, it is safe for your pets and children, and it wears well in our lovely Pacific Northwest weather (winter included). You may still need convincing, though, if you don’t think you’ve seen artificial turf anywhere.
So where else might you see artificial turf out there in the real world? While this isn’t by any means a comprehensive list, we’ve collected a list of four places where you will see artificial turf in and around Portland.
1. Around Your Neighborhood
More of your neighbors have made the switch than you think. A beautiful carpet of green grass is the most effective way to give your house a little boost of added curb appeal. And we know that while your front yard might be for showing off and creating a welcoming atmosphere, your backyard is for fun. That’s where your children and pets play and where you host your parties, barbeques, and soirees. Having a lawn that’s always ready to go almost creates an extra room in your house—you can send the kids outside to play or pull up a chair when friends come over. When your lawn is well-kept and verdant, the rest of your landscaping—and the hard work you’ve put into it—will shine too.
One thing our Sportech techs and installers are skilled at is creating landscaped walkways. Creating a path to approach your front door or around your backyard using synthetic turf as a medium—one that doesn’t need to be regularly sculpted, weeded, or trimmed—gives an extra little flair to any space.
2. School Districts
Artificial turf can be seen at school buildings for any grade level, from under the playground jungle gym at a pre-school or daycare to the soccer field at a high school or a college. These are undeniably high-traffic areas, especially with children of all ages needing time outside to burn off some energy between classes.
Artificial turf is an excellent idea for these areas because natural grass is easily trampled and would require constant and consistent care. Consider that artificial turf is more durable and resistant and requires less maintenance than natural grass. You can also take this tip to the bank because, have you seen the size of the high school football field? And that’s usually not the only field in the sports complex. Think of all the time and money a school can save with artificial turf instead of traditional grass.
Also, keeping a lawn that size looking green and healthy often takes a slew of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. An artificial turf field won’t require any of that, and there will be the added benefit that artificial turf also absorbs shocks better than natural grass. Spills made on the playground, plays made in a football quarter, or saves in a game of soccer will be much less dramatic and less abrasive on knees and elbows. Also, there won’t be a danger of cuts and bruises from exposed rocks or roots.
3. Dog Parks, Pet Boarding, and Doggy Daycares
Many of these businesses have made the switch to synthetic turf, not only because it’s safe, but also for the added convenience. Not only is synthetic grass safe for dogs, it actually may be safer than natural grass. Do you have a dog that picks up pests, such as fleas or ticks, no matter where you go? The synthetic turf mesh is like a desert to these pests—they find it inhospitable and will not thrive in that environment without the natural soil they’re used to. And while these pests can live in fallen detritus such as leaf litter, this type of cleanup is easy to do.
Speaking of cleanup, cleaning a pet mess is also easy with synthetic turf. The turf is porous, not watertight, so urine will go right through and drain where the rest of the water goes. All you’ll have to do is rinse it down about once a week. The solid material will need to be picked up, but what’s left can be rinsed out as well. This makes a dog run much more sanitary for everyone.
4. Putting Greens
If you’re a golfer, you know what a beautiful lawn looks like. A soft and well-manicured lawn can mean the difference between sinking a hole in one and missing by a mile. Think of all the time and energy golf courses and putting greens can save with artificial turf. Golf courses are also typically very large, so maintenance needs to be done on an almost continual basis. However, the sounds a landscaper or maintenance worker needs to make—mowing, blowing leaves, using other equipment—can ruin someone’s game. With ear protection and sun gear on, a groundskeeper also may not notice when someone is waiting for them to finish, so they may not realize they’re impacting play.
When playing, a golfer hits the ball into the air and the ball falls from the sky. With natural grass, there may be enough velocity behind the fall that a small divot is created in the green. That little depression can create problems for future players. Making that small repair is part of golf course etiquette, but not every golfer may do that. With artificial turf, you won’t have this problem because the earth is underneath the backing mesh of the turf itself, and there may be other insulation, depending on the surface on which it’s installed. One less thing to worry about.
Don’t let the grass grow under your feet—contact us today at Sportech so we can help you create the perfect backyard paradise, crate a field the other football teams will envy, or make your business the best it can be.