The lifespan of your synthetic surface will also come down to usage. Fake grass used as a backyard putting green will experience less wear and tear (even if you’re practising your short game every weekend) than fake grass that’s enjoyed by kids, adults, and pets.
Read on to find the most durable and stylish synthetic surface for your needs.
“How long will synthetic grass last?”
This question pops up more in our inbox and on the phone with Sydney homeowners more than any other. And it makes sense. Any home improvement project or commercial grass product needs to be carefully planned before you spend your hard-earned money.
You don’t want to lay an artificial surface and have it ripped, torn, faded, and destroyed within a few months.
Thankfully, the technology behind synthetic turf continues to improve year on year. Not only does this mean you can enjoy fibres that look and feel like real grass, but you can enjoy your new artificial surface for up to 25 years.
If two decades (and then some) sounds like the type of timeframe that excites you, read on to discover why modern synthetic grass is so durable, what factors will impact the lifespan of an artificial surface, plus our top maintenance tips to keep your grass looking lush for longer.
What is synthetic grass?
We’re going back to basics here because it’s easier to understand how the right artificial lawn can last for over two decades when you know how it’s made.
Synthetic grass looks almost indistinguishable from real grass in most cases (you’ve probably enjoyed a lush, green lawn from afar and not realised you’re looking at an artificial surface) and offers a durable and long-lasting alternative to real grass.
Ideal for time-poor Sydney families or those living in harsh climates, the height of synthetic grass fibres ranges from 9mm (typically for sports fields) to 45mm (seen in NSW backyards).
Synthetic grass is typically composed of the following layers:
- Drainage layer
- Primary and secondary backing layer (polyester or recycled rubber/plastic)
- Synthetic grass infill (sand or rubber)
- Thatching (polypropylene)
- Grass blades (polyethylene)
It’s important to know that the quality of these materials will play a part in how long your lawn lasts (which we’ll cover below).
How long will synthetic grass last?
Artificial grass is improving year after year, with commercial and residential synthetic turf now a long term investment ideal for busy Sydney families and business owners.
While the quality of fake grass can vary (making it crucial you partner with a leading synthetic turf team), you can expect to enjoy your low-maintenance lawn for up to 25 years.
At Ecolawns Australia we’re proud to offer industry-leading artificial surfaces (choose from 20 different varieties) that last for 25 years – with a 7 year warranty for your peace of mind.
However, it’s never as easy as picking a number out of the air, because there are a range of factors that will determine how long your new lawn survives, including:
- Quality of synthetic turf
- Quality of installation
- Proper maintenance
- Level of wear and tear
And to help you enjoy your new grass for longer, we’ll unpack each of these variables to help you get more bang for your buck.
Factors that will reduce the lifespan of your artificial lawn
We’ve touched on the four main factors that influence your lawn’s lifespan, so let’s unpack them now to help you choose an artificial surface that looks stunning but also has been engineered to stand the test of time.
These were:
- Quality of synthetic turf
- Quality of installation
- Level of wear and tear
- Proper maintenance
All artificial grass is not the same, so here’s what you need to know.
Quality of synthetic turf
You’ve found pictures on Google or in a home improvement blog online, but make sure you read up on the quality of materials before you pull the trigger.
While most synthetic surfaces look stunning at first, cheap materials can speed up decline and leave you with a less-than-stellar lawn before you know it.
The two most important features of artificial grass are:
- The blade material
- The support backing
Blade material
Your blade fibres will be exposed to Sydney’s harsh sun, constant foot traffic, possibly pets, not to mention constant pollutants and environmental factors including harmful UV rays. Naturally, you want a quality blade that won’t fade or degrade in these conditions.
Ecolawns Tip: Most quality synthetic turf will come with built-in UV inhibitors to protect against sun damage and fading, so check with your lawn care specialists if their grass is designed to stand up to direct sunlight.
Support backing
The backing of your turf is equally as important as the blades because a synthetic lawn is essentially a carpet.
The blades are woven into a base and held together. If that base is sub-par or made of cheap materials, the fibres will come loose over time which ruins the aesthetic of your lawn and speeds up damage.
Ecolawns Tip: Quality fake grass will be double-backed to hold fibres firmly in place. Always check with your grass seller to make sure the underlayer of support is just as durable as the visible grass fibres.
Quality of installation
You can have a market-leading surface that’s guaranteed to make the neighbours jealous from Penrith to Newcastle, but the wrong installation techniques can leave your yard damaged.
Installation errors typically come down to:
✘ Poor drainage (leading to buildup of water)
✘ Uneven base (leading to sinking spots)
✘ Edges not installed correctly (leading to weakened base)
It’s tough to know which Sydney lawn care company you can trust with your new lawn, so look for signs of experience (like our years of experience working in Sydney backyards) or customer-first support (like our 24-month interest-free financing and 7-year product warranties).
Learn more about our quality grass installation service here
Wear and tear
You can’t control wear and tear, as you want to be out enjoying your yard, but it helps to know that heavy foot traffic can speed up damage and decline more than a surface that’s ornamental and not used for BBQs or games of backyard cricket.
The most common types of wear and tear that speed up damage include:
- Heat (e.g. BBQ hot coals or fire)
- Sharp objects penetrating the surface
- Pet waste and debris that isn’t cleaned regularly
The lifespan of your artificial lawn may be longer if it’s used as a backyard putting green with sporadic use and foot traffic, compared to a high foot traffic space around a swimming pool or as a dog-run area.
However, a well-loved lawn isn’t guaranteed to end up looking damaged and worn if you know how to properly clean and maintain your artificial surface – and that’s what we’ll show you how to do now.
How to maintain your synthetic grass in 3 simple steps
Artificial grass is low-maintenance, but that doesn’t mean no maintenance.
While you won’t need to set aside time every other weekend to pull out the mower and keep your grass under control, there are a few care and maintenance tips you should be applying to extend the life of your lawn and enjoy that fresh, crisp aesthetic for longer.
Here are our top 3 care and maintenance tips.
Avoid using corrosive chemicals
Your lawn may not be alive, but you can still damage it.
Just as you’d be careful using harsh chemicals near natural turf, harsh cleaners, and corrosive chemicals can also damage the synthetic fibres of your lawn and speed up damage. It’s easy to keep chemicals in the garden shed and feel like you’re doing your bit, but corrosive agents can also be released from organic matter (e.g leaves, dead bugs, animal faeces), so you’ll want to clean your lawn regularly, which brings us to our next tip.
Wash away debris
Leave the mower in the shed and slash your cleaning time significantly with a hose.
To prevent debris from building up and damaging your artificial lawn, simply hose down the surface with water (no chemicals needed) to remove dried organic matter whether it’s leaves, twigs, mud, bugs, or dog poo.
Remember to leave your artificial grass to dry (as a wet surface can be slippery), and you’re done.
Rake the grass fibres
Got a spare 5 minutes?
Finishing off your synthetic lawn care is as simple as a quick rake to evenly distribute the fibres of your grass for a balanced and crisp finish. This quick reset will also help you spot any weeds that may be pushing up through the natural soil below as well as reduce wear and tear because no one spot will be taking the brunt of foot traffic.
Looking for affordable synthetic turf installation in Sydney?
At Ecolawns Australia, we’re proud to offer 20 different synthetic turf options that can give your outdoor space a relaxing and enjoyable aesthetic for up to 25 years (with a 7-year warranty on all products).
At the same time, we love the great outdoors, and we’re passionate about serving Sydney homeowners and business owners who share our views. While manufacturers and artificial grass installers can promise the world, the lifespan of your new surface is as much in your hands as it is ours.
Regular maintenance and an awareness of the most common wear and tear problems will help extend the lifespan of your new grass. When you get in the habit of a quick clean, you’ll have a surface that demands attention all year round (while your neighbour struggles to keep his grass from turning brown through the hot summer months).
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