Artificial grass isn't just for sports stadiums anymore. The synthetic grass movement has blasted into everyday applications with a vengeance in many areas of the world--especially where lawns are small and outdoor spaces limited. More and more people are using a manufactured product to simulate an outdoor effect in areas where urban concrete dominates the environment. In Europe, designers are using artificial turf to suggest nature in metropolitan areas to cheer up gloomy work xaspaces and provide a suggestion of nature and outdoor life without the accompanying maintenance, expenses and threats to safety that lawn pesticides and chemicals can generate.
Europe Leads the World in Using Synthetic Grass
Europeans have adopted synthetic grass in soccer stadiums, rugby fields, urban design, safe spaces for children to play and hundreds of other applications. Europe now accounts for 40 percent of the global market for synthetic grass. [1] In 2017, sales topped $1,347 million USD.
Improved design, more turf options and advanced techniques even enable combining real and artificial grasses for stadium pitches and training pitches. France is one of the top markets for pitches--more than 1,800--and synthetic pitches are now installed in 29 countries in 277 locations.
Artificial lawns can save water, reduce emissions from grass-cutting devices and prevent muddy areas from ruining the yard because of pet play. [2] However, pets seem to enjoy the synthetic grass as much as the real thing--they roll in it and gambol in exuberant play. You can rake up dog deposits easily or use standard plastic gloves or bags.
Both landscapers and consumers use manufactured grass, and Europe isn’t the only place where the trend is popular. In the United States, the New York City Parks and Recreation Department ranks as one of the top users of artificial turf in the world. The department uses grass to enhance the appearance of parks and recreational areas and to provide a cushioning space around asphalt-paved regions.
Advances in Technology Create More Lifelike Artificial Grass
Technology has advanced considerably since the 1960s when artificial turf was introduced for use in sports stadiums. The grass no longer looks and feels like strips of plastic embedded in a rubber mat. The manufactured products look real and provide a similar texture and comfort. Designers are increasingly using the product in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Athletes and sports directors have jumped on board as well. Most sports teams now prefer artificial turf because it provides a safer, less slippery surface for matches. Modern fibers, which are manufactured from polyethylene and other non-abrasive materials, no longer cause turf burn and other injuries to players.
Optimizing Office Environments for Greater Productivity
Homeowners aren’t the only people choosing synthetic grass. Offices and urban spaces now feature artificial turf for a natural look without all the ongoing maintenance. People can sit down and relax without getting dirty or encountering hordes of bugs. Manufactured grass brightens the atmosphere when used in office areas, which can increase productivity and the job-satisfaction levels of your employees. Childcare playgrounds in offices all over the world can provide safe places for children to play without the risks of residual chemicals and insect attacks.
Real lawns are hard to maintain in urban areas, and creative designers can get better aesthetic results with synthetic grass. Imagine mowing a lawn on the roof--a logistical nightmare. Companies can create a rooftop retreat with a spectacular view for work breaks, eating lunch and relaxing during downtime.
Landscape Features Using Manufactured Grass
You can design a safe space for just about any outdoor activity with the help of your synthetic grass supplier and your own creativity. Artificial turf is an ideal material to surround your pool area. The grass softens and brightens the area while providing safer traction without mud pools, slippery concrete or swollen wooden planks.
Many designers build outdoor spaces as extensions of their homes. Synthetic grass is the perfect material for the transition between outdoor and indoor areas. These spaces get lots of traffic, and the durable material resists slips, falls and rough play. You can also design a mini golf course, picnic area or playing field for friendly games. Many designers cut artificial turf into unique patterns to create visually stunning artistic effects.
The Benefits of Using a Synthetic Grass Supplier
There are many benefits of synthetic grass. In drought-prone regions where it's impossible to grow a healthy lawn without expensive watering systems and vigilant maintenance, a synthetic product can create a stunning lawn in any environment--desert, inner city, office spaces, outdoor patios and traditional suburbs where the costs of landscaping and lawn maintenance run high in terms of money and time. The benefits of using synthetic grass include:
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Durability and quality that matches the best kept lawns
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Useful for decorating any space no matter how small or large
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Almost maintenance-free appearance
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Cost-value increase in home value up to 15 percent
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Ideal for playing fields of all types, golf courses and putting greens
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Mitigating the risk of lawn fertilizers, pesticides and swarms of biting, stinging insects
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Enabling people who can't tend their lawns to enjoy the benefits of a lush outdoor environment
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Freeing people from the risks of harmful bacteria
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Eliminating unseemly edges along walkways and weed-choked fences
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Ability to add a touch of green anywhere such as driveways, the edging around outdoor pools
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Preventing slips cause by mud i n heavily trafficked areas
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Ability to use different colored grass for decorative purposes
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Long-lasting design that survives between 15 and 20 years
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Ideal for rooftop garden spaces
You can ask your synthetic grass supplier for help in design and placement. There are many varieties of manufactured grass, so it’s important to ask your supplier what types the company carries. Ideally, prospective buyers should determine how realistic the grass feels by examining samples. Although almost maintenance free, artificial lawns do require some care, so find out what you need to do. The cost of an installation depends on many factors, so costs don’t just depend on square-foot rates. If your supplier can’t or won’t answer your questions, find a different vendor.
There are many unexplored uses for synthetic grass. Europe leads the world in sales of synthetic turf, but other countries are catching up quickly. As new uses and more customers become common, the industry is poised for incredible growth. Best Artificial Grass offers more 70 types of grass that can fulfill the needs of a variety of applications--from residential lawns to rooftop gardens in urban environments. Artificial turf works well for hotels, commercial areas, clinics, patios, landscaping, playgrounds and an incredibly diverse array of design applications.
References:
[1] Mordorintelligence.com: Global Artificial Turf Market | Growth, Trends and Forecasts
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/artificial-turf-market
[2] Lawn Maintenance: Spring 2018: Synthetic turf industry update
https://www.totallandscapecare.com/lawn-care/spring-2018-synthetic-turf-industry-update/