Non Infill Football Grass

Category: artificial grass

  • How Hot Does Turf Get?

    Sacramento’s artificial turf does indeed run hotter than grass, and at its summer hottest, it is too hot for bare skin without some forethought and cooling.

    1. The Sacramento Sun

    Sacramento is located in a hot, dry inland valley, which means our summers sometimes feature extended runs of 95 to 105-degree days, low humidity, and minimal cloud cover. That combination means harsh UV and countless hours of full sun on any treeless yard without pergolas or shade structures.

    On a 100-degree day, natural grass typically hovers around 85 to 90 degrees, while surrounding turf can reach 140 to 150 degrees or higher in direct sunlight. Asphalt and dark concrete can run even hotter, often in excess of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but turf still shifts into a “danger zone” where kids, pets, and seniors can scald feet or hands.

    Here in the valley, where heat waves sometimes feel like blowing desert sands, turf frequently acts more like a scorching playground surface than a refreshing lawn. It’s these local patterns that make the Sacramento sun such a crucial design element. High UV and prolonged sun exposure stress any synthetic surface, so selecting cooler turf systems and engineering shade aren’t just for comfort — they’re for safety.

    2. Material Matters

    Most residential turf is made of plastic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or occasionally nylon. Live blades of grass retain water and cool via evaporation, while these plastics absorb sunlight and trap heat. As a result, artificial turf can heat up quickly, sometimes climbing to well over 150°F on exposed, dark-colored fields.

    Not all fibers act similarly. More advanced blades with reflective pigments and lighter greens bounce more UV light away, helping keep surfaces several degrees cooler than basic, darker turf. A few are sculpted to enable more airflow between fibers, helping heat escape rather than accumulate at the surface.

    For Sacramento’s climate, items constructed with cooling technology and lighter, UV-stable plastics tend to be a better fit than bargain turf. Most of these solutions, combined with one or two other cooling measures, help maintain turf in the 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit range rather than pushing toward the extreme 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit spikes sometimes witnessed on ancient fields in desert locales.

    3. The Infill Factor

    In most turf systems, the space between blades is filled with rubber crumb, sand, or blends. These infills can trap heat, with dark rubber in particular working like a car tire parked in the sun, raising surface temperatures significantly.

    Color and material both count. Dark rubber infill soaks up a ton of solar energy and can really nudge turf toward the upper end of the normal 120 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit scale on a scorchingly hot day. In contrast, modern turf options, like cooling infill products, attempt to fight back by holding onto moisture and releasing it slowly, lowering temperatures by as much as 50°F during peak sun.

    Cooling infill products attempt to fight back by holding onto moisture and releasing it slowly, lowering temperatures by as much as 50°F during peak sun. No-infill options, such as AGL Grass North, eliminate that heat-holding layer, which can make a noticeable difference in residential yards.

    Below is a simple comparison example under the same 100°F full-sun conditions in Sacramento, highlighting the effectiveness of artificial turf in maintaining a comfortable lawn.

  • What is Denier? Denier and Pet-Friendly Artificial Turf

    Have you ever stared at the specifications for artificial grass and felt like the terminology is not familiar? Terms like “pile height,” “face weight,” and “denier” can make the selection look complex. Ultimately, most people simply want a beautiful, durable lawn that the dog can’t turn into a mud pit.

    So, what is a denier, and why does it matter so much for a pet-friendly yard? Understanding this can help you choose a turf that looks great and stands up to years of fetch, zoomies, and sunbathing.

    Introduction to Artificial Grass Specifications

    When looking for the perfect lawn, technical terms can feel overwhelming. However, these numbers are your roadmap to finding the right fit for your home.

    When comparing artificial turf, you’ll face a spec sheet full of terms that describe the durability, feel, and look of the final product. Those are tools to help in making a confident choice.

  • Install a Fire Pit or Outdoor Fireplace

    A fire pit extends your outdoor entertaining season by months. It also gives the yard a focal point, something to orient around rather than simply exist alongside.

    Built-in gas fire pits and outdoor fireplaces return strong resale value and signal a finished, intentional space to buyers. Portable versions cost less and deliver a similar effect. Either way, the yard becomes genuinely usable after dark. That’s exactly the kind of detail buyers remember.

    Add an Outdoor Kitchen or Dining Area

    An outdoor kitchen is the highest-investment upgrade on this list, and the one most homeowners either overbuild or skip entirely. Both approaches tend to be mistakes. 

    In warm-climate markets, a built-in grill, prep area, and covered dining space can function almost like an additional room. Buyers often factor this extra outdoor living area into the home’s overall value.

    A pergola or shade structure makes the space genuinely usable. In Phoenix or Las Vegas, shade isn’t optional. Without it, the space sits empty from May through September regardless of how well it’s built. If a full outdoor kitchen isn’t in budget, a covered dining area with a defined surface already reads as intentional. Start there.

  • Backyard Upgrades That Increase Home Value and Outdoor Living Space

    The right backyard upgrades can add real value to your home, while the wrong ones, or none at all, quietly pull it down. Overgrown grass, bare concrete, an unused patio: these signal neglect to buyers and cost more to maintain than they should. Many upgrades return more than they cost.

    Why Backyard Upgrades Matter for Home Value

    Buyers aren’t just purchasing interior square footage. They’re buying what they can picture doing on a Saturday afternoon, and a functional outdoor living space expands that picture considerably.

    Outdoor projects consistently rank among the top-performing home improvements for ROI at resale. A finished backyard signals the property has been cared for. It improves the home’s overall appeal, which matters more now that buyers tour homes online before they ever visit in person. Home equity responds accordingly. Improvements that increase usable square footage, even outdoors, translate directly into appraised value. That’s not a small distinction in a competitive market.

  • DIY Landscaping Artificial Grass

    If you’re landscaping your yard yourself, you can really go wild with it. You can make it as exuberant and colorful as you like, or go for a more muted and relaxing look. Whatever your preference may be, your yard is a blank canvas.

    As you’re making plans for landscaping, have you considered your lawn? A natural lawn can look amazing and really work wonders for the look of your yard. However, they take a lot of upkeep and maybe you just don’t have the time for it.

    Instead, have you considered DIY landscaping artificial grass? It’s an alternative that’s becoming more popular in residential yards, and it’s not hard to see why. Here are just a few reasons why they’re great for the DIY landscaper.

  • How to Choose Artificial Grass for Your Lawn

    Natural lawns can look amazing, only with a great deal of effort, though. If maintaining a natural lawn is too time-consuming for you, artificial grass is a fantastic alternative. It is easy to install and comes along with a host of benefits.

    Artificial grass is commonly used for the following:

    The Perks of Artificial Grass

    As you know, artificial grass has become one of several popular lawn alternatives for a few reasons.

    By installing artificial grass, you can look forward to:

    • No mowing
    • Easy cleaning
    • No need to re-seed grass
    • No weeds
    • No moss
    • No allergic reactions 
    • A safe place for kids to play
    • A safe place to play for pets
    • Fade-resistant lawn
    • No scorch marks or bald spot
    • A durable and cost-effective lawn
    • A fun area for games and sports

    But what makes artificial grass good turf?

    We encourage you to consider the company’s reputation before anything else.

    Once you find a few companies you’re interested in working with, you want to consider the price point. For most, new turf may be a little beyond the scope of your budget. However, there are alternatives.

    Recycled turf is a great way to save money, but we’ll touch on that later.

    First, let’s talk about what to look for.

  • Repurposed Artificial Turf Always Comes with Infill 

    While some used artificial turf comes with free infill, it’s not always the best choice for homeowners. Two options exist: 

    • Infilled used turf – synthetic grass with infill inside 
    • Extracted used turf – artificial grass with infill removed 

    The process can cost less if the infill stays inside the turf. Meanwhile, you can save money on buying new infill. However, infill is a heavy material. It adds significant weight to the turf. This makes transportation and installation more difficult and expensive. 

    Extracted turf weighs only around 0.5 lbs. per square foot. Infill can add around 2 lbs. per square foot.  Meanwhile, the absence of infill means you are free to choose the best infill for your purposes instead of going with whatever is already inside. 

    Used Artificial Turf is Bad for the Environment  

    A common mistaken idea about used artificial grass is that it’s bad for the environment. People believe in that myth because they have general knowledge about the harmful effect of plastic. In reality, plastic can damage the environment only when it’s not disposed of correctly. 

    Installing used artificial grass allows you to repurpose the plastic and extend its lifespan. By buying used turf, you keep it from going to landfills. This protects the environment instead of harming it. 

    To date, Artificial Grass Recyclers has kept over 7 million square feet of used turf out of landfills.   

    Meanwhile, unlike natural grass, artificial turf doesn’t require pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. This also contributes to keeping the environment safer.   

  • Used Synthetic Grass is Always Low-Quality 

    When you install used artificial grass, you choose a cost-effective way to take advantage of high-quality materials for your lawn. Used artificial turf refers to synthetic grass that has been repurposed for a new use. 

    Usually, used artificial grass comes from sports fields where regulations dictate surface replacement every couple of years. Since this turf is highly durable, it can easily be repurposed and serve the new owner for decades. 

    While the popularity of used synthetic turf is steadily growing, some misconceptions are still common. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them. 

    Used Synthetic Grass is Always Low-Quality 

    One of the most common inaccuracies concerning used turf regards quality. In reality, used artificial grass can have as much integrity and durability as some types of new turf. 

    In most cases, used artificial grass often comes from sports fields. Depending on the region, sports center regulations require the field surface to be replaced every 5 to 10 years. By that time, the synthetic turf isn’t likely to wear out. 

    Sports centers use the most durable turf that can withstand heavy traffic. Accordingly, the fake grass can be almost as good as new when it comes off after a few years of use.  The downside of installing used synthetic turf from a sports field is markings or lines that may require painting. 

    If you want to avoid the problem with markings, consider going with festival turf.  

    Festival turf is synthetic grass explicitly installed for events or festivals that last only a few days.  

    This makes used festival turf almost indistinguishable from new artificial grass. 

  • Can you keep the free infill that comes with repurposed turf?  

    Yes, you can keep the infill that comes with used artificial turf. It allows you to save money on new infill. However, this decision comes with several downsides:  

    • Extra weight – turf that already has infill inside can be four to five times heavier than synthetic grass without infill. This can make transportation and installation more difficult, 
    • Limited choice – since many types of infills exist, turf without infill allows you to choose the best product for your needs. For example, to improve artificial grass for dogs, you could buy an odor-absorbing infill like ZeoFill. If the infill is already inside, you would have to remove it. 

    If you want a higher-quality infill, you can buy extracted turf. Extracted turf is used artificial grass with infill removed. This type of turf is easier to install because it weighs only around 0.5 pounds per square foot. 

  • What is the best value artificial turf?

    When it comes to creating a beautiful lawn, maintaining natural grass can be an expensive option. It requires mowing, feeding, fertilizing, and watering. Property owners who want quality and cost-effectiveness often turn to artificial turf. 

    Contrary to a common misconception, high-quality artificial grass products are affordable if you know where to look. Besides being low in maintenance, synthetic turf can help you save money while offering the key benefits of a natural lawn. 

    What is the best value artificial turf? 

    The best value artificial turf is repurposed turf.  Repurposed turf is artificial grass that was previously installed in another location. 

    Repurposed artificial turf costs 50% – 75% less than new artificial grass while still retaining many topic qualities of a new synthetic grass product. 

    In most cases, sports centers and outdoor event organizers replace their existing turf with brand-new grass much earlier than it loses its integrity and natural appearance. To prevent perfectly good turf from going to waste, Artificial Grass Recyclers set out to find it a new home. 

    In fact, we’ve repurposed over 9 million square feet of artificial grass. That’s 9 million square feet of turf we effectively intercepted from landfills. 

     At AGR, we’re highly dedicated to promoting a healthy climate. That’s why we dramatically reduce the cost of artificial turf to make it easier for property owners to install high-quality lawns without breaking the bank. 

    Since the lifespan of artificial grass can reach 20 years, repurposed artificial turf (also known as used synthetic grass) can serve you for decades.