34 replies to this topic

[555]

Anyone replaced a lawn with synthetic?  Have any recommendations?

 

I have a small backyard and I think I am done with it.  Dry spots, weeds, mowing, the drought, etc.

 

Thanks!

[supermom]

If you have a dog, there is a great product that has come out. It is used at a lot of dog kennels and doggy day cares. I was just looking at it the other day, but now I have forgotten the name of it. darn it. sorry. 

 

you should get pretty far with googling it

[The Average Joe]

I was also considering converting the back yard to synthetic. The only info I have so far is on Synlawn. The installation seems pretty easy, but the prep work is where you spend your time.  Figure I'll get a pro company to cut out the existing sod, so then I can prepare a base without too much trouble. I've seen estimates from 4.00 per foot for base product only to 13.00 per foot installed.

[Steve Heard]

Here's a New York Times article about the trend toward artificial grass, including a quote from someone here in Folsom. http://mobile.nytime...water.html?_r=0

[2 Aces]

In Folsom, if you pull into Mullen Ct., there is a home on the left with synthetic grass in the front yard. I think it looks fine. I would prefer that over rocks & stuff, but it's all personal preference.

[4thgenFolsomite]

two synthetic lawns on our street.  looks fine.  i wont do it, but they look fine.

[mac_convert]

Costco sells artificial turf in the store, but there is a greater selection online.

[flowerpower]

We had synthetic lawn installed in our backyard in early April and we are very happy with it.  We went through AGL http://www.artificia...iquidators.com/ who sells recycled turf which was a major selling point for me.  Drought tolerant plants and mulch are another great low-cost, low maintenance and water wise way to go.  We did that for our front yard a few years ago and it has been great!

 

[slowthegrowth]

Do these synthetic lawns get significantly hot in the heat of the Summer here? I thought I recalled reading that...I could be wrong

[supermom]

Here's a company that makes artificial grass that is pet friendly:

 

http://www.synthetic...CFVcSHwodDxUA5Q

 

 

Scroll to the bottom and read how they avoid "pet odor"

 

I haven't tried it- so I can not verify the truthfulness of their claims; but I do find it fascinating how far technology has gone. I think If I chose fake grass and had pets I would concrete over and then put fake grass in with an artificial drain and runnel system. 

 

Here are some examples:

https://www.google.c...ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ

[DavidH]

I saw something on the news a week or so ago about a company that paints a brown/dormant lawn green.  It looked amazing (at least on TV) but I haven't a clue how it holds up or reacts to water (rain, dew, etc.).  It looked like an interesting option and definitely less expensive than pulling up turf and converting to synthetic.

[giacomo]

I went to AGL recently to check out what it would cost to replace a small patch of  lawn in our backyard that is 6' by 23' ( 138 sq. ft. ) The price of the turf is sold per square foot and they have prices from $0.50 to approximately $3.75 per sq. foot. You can do it yourself or have it installed. Choosing turf that retails at $3 per sq. foot, we asked what it would cost for AGL to install it and the quote was at $8 per sq. foot which includes the $3 psf turf.  So from start to finish it would cost me about $1100 to have synthetic turf installed.   Not bad.

[ducky]

Do these synthetic lawns get significantly hot in the heat of the Summer here? I thought I recalled reading that...I could be wrong

 

I have the same concerns.  Here is a review about SYNlawn brand.  SYNlawn's reply is it wasn't taken care of properly and they needed to wash it down more often to get rid of the pet urine smell and to cool off the turf if it is in direct sunlight.  Doesn't exactly sound practical if you have a dog.  In order for the dog not to burn its paws you have to spray the turf with water before they do their business and again after?

I'd definitely shop around and check reviews.  I'm still not sold on putting this stuff in my yard.  I'd rather cut down my lawn size to just a patch the dog can use and then putting in mulch and drought-tolerant plantings with pathways for the rest.

 

www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/synlawn-synthetic-grass-c352279.html

[slowthegrowth]

Seems counter productive to have to water a fake lawn that was put in to save water!

[ducky]

Seems counter productive to have to water a fake lawn that was put in to save water!

 

It's probably less water than keeping a lawn alive, but if we aren't supposed to wash off walkways does that apply to artificial turf?

Anybody else have pets with artificial turf who experience the pet urine odor problem unless you are continually washing off the turf?