Today’s customers, with their hectic schedules, want landscaping that not only looks good, but is easy to maintain. One product that many homeowners have not thought of installing is artificial turf. Many customers are unaware of the benefits of artificial turf, which include no chemicals, no insects, no maintenance, and no irrigation.
Artificial turf is not only comfortable and easy to care for, it is also environmentally friendly. It reduces pesticides and fertilizers, as well as the need to use valuable water supplies. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about artificial grass that potential customers may have heard. It is therefore important to educate them and dispel any rumors or falsehoods regarding artificial turf. Here are 20 common misconceptions about artificial grass to help educate customers about:
1. Too expensive
While the initial investment and installation of artificial turf is more expensive than installing turf, maintenance and upkeep are significantly less. Natural grass needs to be watered, mowed, fertilized and treated against insects. Also, natural grass can be damaged by animal waste or children playing, so customers may need to replace the lawn. Artificial grass requires little maintenance once installed and can last for 20 years or more.
2. Bad for the environment
Incredibly, many customers think that artificial grass is bad for the environment. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Artificial grass is made from environmentally friendly materials, including recycled materials, which reduces the amount of material that builds up in landfills. Also, the average natural lawn yard wastes up to 400 gallons of water a day, and pollution from gas-powered mowers can be harmful to the environment.
3. Contains pests and germs
Customers might fear artificial turf becoming an incubator for germs and pests, while unfortunately older types of artificial turf, where sand was used as a fill for the artificial turf made today, have the same problems with germs and pests. Artificial turf produced today contains no soil, so there is no reason to attract insects or other pests to the artificial turf, and the only germs that can be present on artificial turf come from homeowners who improperly dispose of their pet’s urine and Feces. When homeowners properly clean up after pets have artificial turf, they will be free from the pests and germs that may be present in the natural grass.
4. Current landscaping needs to be removed
Customers may be concerned that their current landscaping will have to be removed in order to install artificial turf. Fortunately, that’s wrong; Homeowners can relax knowing that artificial grass is fully customizable and can be adapted to any existing landscape. Instead of damaging the current landscaping, artificial turf will enhance the beauty of the existing landscaping while reducing the maintenance and upkeep of natural grass.
5. Contains harmful chemicals
Some customers may be concerned that artificial turf contains harmful chemicals and do not want their children or pets to be exposed to these chemicals and may be reluctant to install artificial turf. Artificial turf that is produced must meet stringent safety requirements before it can be sold to the public and does not contain chemicals that homeowners should be concerned with. In fact, natural grass that requires fertilizers and pesticides may contain more harmful chemicals than homeowners realize, and artificial turf is a safer alternative.
6. Bad for pets
A common misconception is that artificial turf is bad for pets and makes cleaning their waste difficult. Contrary to popular belief, artificial turf is beneficial for pets because it is free from insects and pests such as ticks and fleas, which not only transmit disease but also cause extreme discomfort to your pets. In addition, artificial turf is equipped with a drainage system that keeps it clean and odor-free. Liquid waste flows through the artificial turf drainage system, and solid waste is easily picked up and hosed down.
7. No drainage
A common misunderstanding among customers is that artificial turf does not run off. If you live in an area with heavy rain it can build up on the artificial turf and cause flooding or damage to the home or other structure. That’s just wrong; Artificial turf is installed with a drainage system that is made up of several layers of material to allow the water to drain properly.
8. Unsafe for children
One concern of customers with children is the myth that artificial turf is unsafe for children. It’s unclear how or why this myth began, but parents can relax, artificial turf is safe for their children to play with. In fact, artificial turf has many benefits that make it safer than natural grass, including no bugs, no dirt, no pesticides or fertilizers, and a shock pad can be installed to protect children from injury. Parents can sit back and relax knowing that their children are safe while playing on artificial turf.
9. I cannot install myself
While installing artificial grass is not an easy task and is best left to professionals, homeowners can install it themselves. Homeowners can buy and install artificial turf, but it’s incredibly labor intensive.
10. Too much like carpet
Customers can be careful about installing artificial turf because they fear it will look too carpet. This is just not true, artificial turf does not mimic a carpet and is indeed a high quality material that adds value to a property. Unlike carpets, artificial turf is specially designed to allow water and other liquids to drain off. In addition to providing proper drainage, the infill adds cushion to the artificial turf, which makes walking comfortable.
11. Unhealthy
Many customers feel that artificial turf is unhealthy and contains toxins or dangerous chemicals and this is simply wrong. Artificial turf was specially developed for environmental compatibility and made from non-toxic and heavy metal-free materials. Not only does synthetic grass use environmentally friendly materials, it also doesn’t require the fertilizers and pesticides necessary to support the natural growth of grass and insects.
12. Catches fire easily
For many customers, safety is one of their top concerns, and the myth that artificial turf catches fire easily may make them think twice about having it installed. This myth is not valid; Artificial turf is made from materials that do not catch fire. Artificial turf melts at a sufficiently high temperature, so it is important for homeowners to be careful when using outdoor grills on artificial turf as hot coals or sparks landing on the artificial turf can damage it but not set the entire area on fire . Natural grass is more likely to ignite and does not have to be dry. Artificial grass is made from non-combustible materials, which makes it a safer choice.
13. I cannot plant trees
Unfortunately, some customers may feel that they cannot have trees or other landscaping when installing artificial turf. Many homeowners who choose to install artificial turf also have other landscaping such as trees and shrubs. When artificial turf is installed, the areas where trees or shrubs will be planted are cut out and dug appropriately so that these features can be planted.
14. Used for sports only
One of the most common misconceptions is that artificial grass is only used for sports, and fortunately this is wrong. While many professional sports teams use artificial grass for indoor arenas, the artificial grass designed for homeowners is customizable and only resembles that of a sports arena if so chosen by the organization / company. Artificial turf comes in many different styles, colors, materials, and pile heights so homeowners can choose what best suits their needs.
15. Too hot
Customers often get the impression that artificial turf is getting too hot for humans or animals to walk on. While artificial turf absorbs more heat than natural turf, steps are taken during installation to prevent the artificial turf from becoming too hot. If the artificial turf is installed in an area exposed to direct sunlight, customers can choose a light-colored grass that will absorb less heat and an underground cooling system can be installed to prevent the temperature of the artificial turf from becoming too hot.
16. Looks wrong
Customers are often unsure about installing artificial turf because they fear it will look cheap or wrong. While old artificial turf may have looked bad, the artificial turf produced today is of high quality, specifically designed to mimic natural grass.
17. Difficult to maintain
Some customers may feel that artificial turf requires extensive maintenance, as they are only aware of artificial turf used on sports fields that require more maintenance. Artificial turf installed for residential purposes is relatively maintenance-free. Artificial grass is designed and installed with a drainage layer, so the most common maintenance is using a water hose to wash away any dirt or debris on the artificial grass.
18. Lower property value
Many homeowners are cautious about installing artificial grass because they believe it will lower the value of their home and property. This is also wrong; Artificial turf is becoming increasingly popular because it not only looks good, but is also environmentally friendly. Artificial turf does not require irrigation to save valuable resources in areas where droughts prevail and to eliminate chemicals and pesticides used to treat real grass. This makes it an eco-friendly option that many customers are looking for.
9. Helps with global warming
One of the oldest artificial turf myths your customers might have is that it contributes to global warming. The basis for this myth is the misunderstanding that artificial turf cannot “breathe” or absorb carbon dioxide as well as natural turf. There is no scientific evidence that artificial turf helps global warming, and in fact, the emissions that lawnmowers and edgers use to properly care for natural grass contribute to greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
20. It changes colors and texture
Customers may be scared of installing artificial turf because they fear it will fade and look bad and turn into a waste of money. Many artificial grass products are made with UV inhibitors to reduce fading. They have a guarantee of more than 10 years. So if fading does occur, the artificial turf can be replaced and the homeowner can rest assured that his investment is safe.
Conclusion
With the plethora of myths and rumors about artificial turf, it is important to take the time to educate potential customers and answer questions about artificial turf. Potential customers may have had a bad experience with artificial turf when it was first made available to the public. Therefore, it is important to make sure they understand that the materials and manufacturing process have changed, and to adhere to strict safety standards to ensure that artificial grass is a safe and popular alternative to natural grass.
The author is the Marketing Manager of National Greens, Houston and can be reached at steve@nationalgreens.com.
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