Artificial grass has become the rage among homeowners yearning for a vibrant patch of green but without the hassle of tending to natural grass. It lasts fairly long, remains green all-year round and is easy to maintain.

Synthetic grass, also known as artificial turf, has been around for decades but only gained popularity in the 1960s. Today, its use isn't confined to sports stadiums but graces the yards of residences as well. And although natural grass cannot be imitated in terms of feel, synthetic grass does come close in appearance and carries a host of additional benefits.

Shopping for artificial turf should see you know what type of material can stand up to heavy use, which of them is pet- and child-friendly, how good the underlay is and so on. While caring for synthetic grass is not as time-consuming as natural grass, quality influences just how durable and comfortable it is.

Softness

The softer the piles the more cushioning and comfy the turf is. Choose a soft turf if you plan to use it frequently or if there are pets and children who'll play on it.

When checking for softness, look for longer piles made from polyethylene which feels more natural. It's more expensive but there's a lower chance of having pets and kids suffering scratches from a hard surface.

Material

Synthetic grass is made of one of three types of materials. Nylon is the cheapest but also the most artificial looking. Polyethylene, as mentioned, is soft and comes very close to imitating the appearance of natural grass. Polypropylene is another which is slightly harder than polyethylene but a lot better than nylon.

Opt for nylon if you want synthetic grass on areas that won't be walked on. Choose polypropylene for putting greens and landscaping and polyethylene for everything else. A combination of all three to cover parts of a large area can also be chosen to save money.

Quality

Quality is all-important and there's more to turf than yarn type. Backing or underlay matters because it's the only thing holding the yarn together. More layers of backing means more durability so when shopping for turf look for those that have two, three or more layers for every backing. One way to ascertain how well layered turf is is to check the weight. Typically, turf with several layers is heavier. However, if the grass isn't to be used for play or much else then you can go for a lighter one.

Quality and warranty go hand-in-hand. The latter should extend for at least 10 years because despite not costing as much in maintenance compared to natural grass, you don't want to have to spend on frequent replacement or repair. If you can find turf that lasts for 20-30 years, all the better.

Natural grass may be irreplaceable in terms of looks and feel but in a world where water is scarce and people are busy, its benefits are not enough to compel some homeowners to have it as a lawn. Synthetic grass lasts much longer, doesn't have to be watered and doesn't dry out. Fertilizers, mowing and expensive gardening equipment too are not required. As for toxicity of synthetic materials, there's no doubt that some turfs contain higher levels of heavy metals. However, new technologies and safer manufacturing practices have almost eliminated this so it's common to find turfs that are very safe.