How landscaping with synthetic grass can help improve urban living
Artificial grass has come a long way from when it was exclusively used for athletic fields. Nowadays, it is being used for landscaping in both residential and commercial settings, particularly in major cities like Portland, Oregon. Through the years, synthetic grass design has evolved in order to adapt to modern lifestyles. It is no wonder therefore that city folk prefer it over its natural counterpart.
Indeed, it’s now smarter to switch to artificial turf than try your hand at maintaining natural grass. Here’s how investing in excellent artificial turf products can help improve quality of life in the city.
CREATING “GREEN” SPACES
Urban development doesn’t need to be very dull and gray. With artificial grass, city planners are now finding ways to create “green” spaces for people to enjoy. Everything from public parks and rooftop gardens to play grounds and mini golf courses are now more accessible for everybody, and at a smaller cost to maintain. There’s no need to use an exorbitant amount of water, fertilizers, or noisy lawn mowers for routine upkeep. Hosing down and brushing the grass blades from time to time ensures that it stays in pristine condition for many years. In a sense, artificial turf is even more eco-friendly than the real thing.
MAKING SAFE PLAY AREAS
Grass has been the most preferred play surface for decades due to its ability to absorb shock and break fall. It’s certainly safer than sand and concrete that could become even more perilous under severe weather conditions. However, artificial turf has taken several steps further to minimize risk of injury. Some of the leading products on the market today feature revolutionary impact-absorbing technology. A layer made of thermoplastic urethane material absorbs the energy of an athlete’s fall, and then snaps back into its original state. This makes artificial grass more suited for activities like contact sports, exercise or simply playing around.
ADAPTING TO LOCAL WEATHER
What makes natural grass upkeep so labor intensive is the fact that you have to change up maintenance strategies depending on the season. Portland experiences 164 rainy days a year, making it one of the rainiest cities in the country. On days that it doesn’t rain or snow, the sun peeks out from behind the clouds. This kind of climate might mean less watering for natural grass, but you can also expect lots of dirty water puddles and mud on your lawn. Soil just doesn’t absorb that much rainfall fast enough. With artificial turf, on the other hand, you can get better drainage with its highly permeable top layer. Some synthetic grass applications can even allow you to harvest drained water for other purposes.
COOLING OFF HOT PLACES
Temperature is a primary concern for densely populated cities. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Urban cities tend to be hotter than rural areas due to a phenomenon known as “heat island”. Even grass can be uncomfortably hot to the touch when it’s dry and directly exposed to sunlight. As an answer to this growing concern, some artificial turf products have implemented new designs that deflect sunlight. Synthetic grass blades diffuse and reflect light which helps reduce temperature. Of course, it also helps to keep artificial grass moist on warm days especially if you plan to use it.
Artificial turf offers great value for households and commercial facilities alike. It’s virtually immune to elements, much kinder to the environment and generally safer for all sorts of recreational activities. If you’re considering making the switch today, get in touch with reputable installation companies like Portland Artificial Grass.
Sources:
A healthy case for maintaining synthetic grass, REMINetwork.com
New Artificial Turf Designs Improve Safety, ASME.org