Faux grass? It's a tad pricey but lasts for years and requires no
weeding or mowing.
By JOEL POILEY
No matter how manicured we want our lawn to look, if we could cut the
time to keep it that way to almost nothing, we'd jump at the chance.
Sellers of synthetic turf say their product has come a long way since
the Astroturf days, when fake grass often had seams and rips similar
to worn carpet.
Improved materials and technology have made it an option for those who
can afford it, or feel it's worth the cost to toss their mowers or
lawn maintenance contracts.
"It's becoming popular because of watering issues and pest control and
there's not a lot of maintenance," said Jeff Jennings, president and
owner of Turf Pro Synthetics Landscaping in Land O'Lakes.
Jennings, 35, said interest in artificial grass is, well, growing for
several reasons.
"There's good drainage to it, and it's also good for slopes and
erosion areas where you can't really get grass to grow - places like
shaded areas, or maybe where your dog runs in and out and wears out
the grass," said Jennings, who started the business seven years ago.
Keston Ettienne and his wife, Angela, of Cross Creek say eye appeal
and low maintenance made their decision easy.
"We had just put a pool in and we still had a lot of lawn to mow that
I wanted to get rid of," Ettienne said. "We saw Jeff's card at a
nursery, and after talking to him, we put in a 6-by-14-foot putting
green and koi pond this summer.
"It definitely cuts down on lawn maintenance. All you do is sweep it
or use a blower. Everyone's pretty impressed when they see it."
For Jennings, what started with mowing lawns as a kid has evolved into
a profitable profession.
"I was at Busch Gardens one day watching them build a big water
display with rocks, and I thought that looked neat and I built
something similar for my yard," Jennings said. "Then things evolved
from there, where I started doing more landscaping and outdoor
packages for people, and we added the synthetic turf seven years ago
because of the beauty of no maintenance."
He realizes that at about $8 to $12 a square foot, compared to real
sod at around 80 cents to a $1 a square foot, the product isn't cheap.
But for homeowners who are tired of maintenance and want more free
time, the expense is worth it, he said.
Ettienne thinks it's also good for resale value.
"We're not planning to sell," he said, "but it's a tremendous selling
point with a wide cross section of potential home buyers, especially
the putting green."
Jennings, who works with partner Tom Storey, said another selling
point is how the improved materials duplicate what's more natural and
real.
Synthetic turf is made of a polypropylene fiber that has a 10-year
warranty and has a UV coating to protect it from the sun. Jennings
said it should last between 15 to 20 years.
The installation isn't complicated. A compact base of screened out
limestone for good drainage is made to shift and keep its shape for
putting greens and slopes.
The turf goes in, mixed with bits of rubber and then some sand. Then
it's rolled until smooth and you're ready to practice your putting. Or
use your newfound free time for more interesting pursuits than mowing.
"It has a curing agent that makes it look even better after the first
year," Jennings said. "Rain won't bother it or cause it to shift. Just
clean it with any solvent like 409, blow off the leaves or debris and
that's it."
Jennings said potential customers have many options from which to
choose, like a St. Augustine version and natural turf.
"Wherever you can't get grass to grow, this is the perfect way to go,"
Jennings said.
TO LEARN MORE
Contact the Bay Area putting green and fake faux artificial grass lawn
installation company grassestimate.com.