Tips for Keeping Your Artificial Turf Cool in Summer
Artificial turf is the best during summer because it is so easy to maintain and helps keep a lot of dust out of your house. Also, it will save water. Unlike natural turf, these ground coverings can sometimes warm up a bit more than your average lawn. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to overcome this. Here is a quick look at some of the best ways to keep your artificial turf nice and cool on hot days.
Choose Turf for Hot Climates
If you don’t have turf installed yet then it is best to speak to an artificial turf expert before you buy. Some turf varieties with HeatBlock® technology are specially developed for warmer climates. They have heat management properties, special raw materials that reflect sun rays instead of absorbing the heat. Cooler turfs also have a lighter face weight so they can cool down quicker or refrain from keeping heat trapped inside the lawns.
For warmer climates, it is always better to focus on lawn varieties with a brighter or lighter colour and lighter weight. Some artificial turfs are so well designed, they end up offering more cooling properties than normal lawns. Hollo HydroChill® grass blades absorb water particles and keep the grass up to 30% cooler. Installation of Hollow Blade can minimise the unnecessary water expense during hot summer days because this blade has been specially designed to prevent water from transpiration. Hollow Blade is not the best solution for pet areas, however ideal for kids school playgrounds, and the landscape for residential and commercial purposes.
Spray Your Turf with Water
The quickest and easiest way to cool down an established artificial turf is by spraying it with water. While you are cooling your lawn, the water will also flush dirt and other particles from your lawn which can make your garden look vibrant and fresh. The grass will instantly cool down and will stay cool for quite a while since the soil beneath the synthetic turf will stay wet and cool for quite some time.
Surround Your Turf with Plants
Growing more and taller plants around your turf will also help keep your lawn nice and cool. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, tall plants like trees will offer some shading so direct sunlight can’t reach your turf. Secondly, the plant’s natural photosynthesis and transpiration process has a cooling effect on the surrounding area and can keep the climate in your garden cool as a result.
Surrounding plants can also enhance the aesthetics of your garden and your garden environment will also cool down when you open up the irrigation to wet your plants
It is important to focus on evergreen plants with a thick canopy when choosing your surrounding growth. The evergreens won’t shed as many leaves during autumn and a thick canopy will offer optimal sheltering from the sun. However, it is important to clean tree leaves regularly to maintain your turf.
Shade Your Turf from Sunlight
A great way to keep the grass cool is by keeping it from heating up, to begin with. This can be achieved by growing tall trees with a thick canopy around your turf or you can invest in a garden set with an umbrella (canopy) or a shade structure over your lawn. Your turf should stay nice and cool as long as a shadow lingers over the lawn.
Get Turf Cooling Infill
Selecting the right infill is very important to keep your grass cooler. Infill is a type of product that can be added in between the grass blades. This type of infill helps keep your grass leaves upright and in place, it gives stability, minimises the ripples, and can assist with water drainage.
There are a number of infill types on the market such as recycled rubber, washed dried silica sand, cork, coconut husk etc. However, most professional companies mainly use ZeoFill® which can reduce the heat generated on your grass up to 30%. ZeoFill® porous granules absorb water and ammonia and are an ideal solution for pet areas.
Just remember to avoid rubber infills that are normally used in sports fields since these infill types can cause more heat absorption.
Consider a Splash Pool Right Next To Your Turf
One of the best things about artificial turfs is that they help keep pools nice and clean since there is no dead grass that can blow into your pool. You can set up a splash pool right next to your turf so you can cool down on warmer days.
We are quite sure that these concepts will make a huge difference in your garden temperatures. If you need help choosing a lawn for hot temperatures or if you want some help with a turf infill then you should give Premier Grass a call. These experts can help you with any artificial turf issue so you can have a superb and cool summer.
What You Need For Your Artificial Grass Installation
Before you start the installation process, make sure that you have the following tools and equipment ready:
Artificial Turf Products
- Synthetic grass
- Turf pegs
- Adhesive joining tape
- Artificial grass glue
- Fine dried white sand
General Tools
- Hammer
- Broom or rake
- Utility knife
- Tape measure
- Protective gloves
Step One: Measure The Space
Before anything else, you have to assess how much artificial turf you need for your garden or yard. Measure the size of the area and always include a little bit extra in case of emergency. Once you have your dimensions, speak to the experts at Premier Grass about the type of artificial turf you want. They will have it delivered to your property when requested.
Step Two: How To Lay Artificial Fake Grass On A Solid Foundation
Before you start rolling out your artificial grass, you are going to need to establish a levelled foundation first. This approach will vary depending on the type of foundation you plan to roll out your grass on. When it comes to price, our installation cost might vary depending on your base.
Below, we have broken down how to lay out your artificial turf on the most common bases, in three or less easy steps.
How To Lay Fake Grass On Dirt
1. In the cases of dirt, you are going to have to dig out all the existing turf, roughly about two and a half inches deep.
2. From here, place a layer of plastic membrane to stop weeds from finding their way through, before outlying crushed stone over it.
3. Finally, layer out planks of wood for that even surface.
How To Lay Synthetic Grass On Soil
1. Similar to the dirt example above, you have to create an even layer to install synthetic grass over the soil. Dig up the soil and apply a thick layer of crushed stone, before installing the plastic membrane – this will stop weeds from poking through your new turf.
2. Then, finish off by laying out planks of wood over the top, before rolling out your synthetic grass.
How To Install Artificial Turf On Concrete
1. When it comes to concrete floors, you need to make sure:
- There is drainage nearby so that water can be filtered through, and
- You need to make sure the concrete is even.
2. Now, look towards levelling out your concrete or installing a drain before anything else.
3. When completed, add 5mm of foam underlay (making it softer under your floor), before rolling out the synthetic grass over it.
How To Install Synthetic Grass Over Pavers
Although concrete and pavers are considered to be different, the same approach of laying turf works for both surfaces. Follow the above steps under “How To Install Artificial Turf On Concrete” when it comes to pavers, and you will end up with the same pleasant results.
How To Lay Artificial Grass On Sand
1. Remove and scoop out all the existing sand from the area. This will provide you with a new space in which you can outlay your grass.
2. You can now apply a layer of crushed stone over it, and follow the same steps used to apply both dirt and soil foundations. See above: “How To Lay Fake Grass On Dirt”.
Step Three: How To Install Artificial Lawn (Or Roll Out)
Slowly lay out your artificial turf over the newly formed foundation. Collect and hammer down your pegs into the ground evenly along the edge and leaving around 300mm – 400mm of space in between.
If you have concrete floors, use super concrete based glue, instead of turf pegs.
Don’t nail down the pegs all the way, or glue too close to the edges, as you will need space for the adhesive joining tape (more on that below).
Slowly roll the next layer of synthetic turf by Premier Grass in Brisbane next to it, and nail it down again. Don’t leave any spaces between the turfs, and ensure that the grass fibres all point in the same direction so that it maintains a smooth flow. Your artificial lawn in Brisbane will now be a secured feature of your yard.
Step Four: Secure It Together
Lift up the edges of the synthetic turf and roll out the adhesive joining tape, with the sticky side facing upwards. Make sure the tape is spread evenly along all the edges between the slabs of artificial grass in Sydney.
When you’re happy with this, lift the adhesive off the tape and tightly press down the first slab of synthetic grass over it. Follow the same steps with the next piece of grass until all turfs are connected tightly.
Step Five: Apply Sand To Give A Realistic Look
If you like the fake grass look, then you can stop at this step. However, if you want to give your artificial grass that realistic look and feel, bring out your white sand for this step. You will need roughly 10 to 15 kgs of sand for every square meter, as it will give you good coverage.
Pour the sand over the turf and use your broom (or rake) to spread the sand and embed it into the lawn evenly. You can now slightly water it to get rid of that fake grass feeling and make your synthetic turf look more realistic.
Struggling With Your Synthetic Grass Installation? Premier Grass Can Help You With Our Unique Service! Reach Out To Our Team Today!
Take It From The Experts
Having the perfect turf installation sometimes requires that experienced touch. This is what Premier Grass can provide you: a comprehensive service where we send one of our professionals to install the artificial grass, leaving you with the perfect lawn.
Our service is available throughout Australia and our installation cost is affordable. For more information on our range of artificial turf call us today on 1300 705 806.
You are also welcome to visit our showrooms.
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