The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Fake Grass for Your Patio

Choosing the right fake grass for your patio really boils down to a few things. Understanding your patio space. Know your outdoor design goals. And keep your budget in mind as you explore the details of your best turf options. Decades of effort from thousands of landscaping professionals have revolutionized this industry. Research, development, innovations, installations, and maintenance practices… everything related to synthetic turf has grown. I mean, the market was valued at over $77 billion in 2022¹. That’s billion … with a b!

So, what’s my point? Putting turf on your patio or lawn is a booming, growing industry. It’s seen a lot of innovation, and the turf options are getting better and more diverse every day. You have a lot to consider. So, let’s simplify things for you. Today I’m laying out my professional learnings, insights, and suggestions. I want what you want: a soft, stable, non-slip patio surface that’s perfect for your bare feet.

What You Should Keep In Mind for Your Patio’s Artificial Turf:

• • Consider your patio’s size, usage, and desired look when choosing artificial grass
  • Go for high-quality, durable turf with UV protection and good drainage
  • Pay attention to pile height, density, blade shape and color for a natural look
  • Proper installation and regular maintenance will keep your patio grass looking great
  • Factor in upfront and long-term costs when budgeting for your project

First, Assess Your Patio Needs

A lot of bad landscaping choices get made because the decision-maker didn’t understand their project’s space. So let’s start there. First, you need to evaluate your patio space. And decide how you want to use it. Make a note of things like size, shape, amount of sun exposure, and whether you have pets or children. If your patio sees a lot of action, you’ll want to choose a durable turf that can handle wear and tear. A softer, more plush grass would be better for a more decorative patio space. There are good options for both (and everything in between, really).

Some of you may be asking, “Do I want fake grass on my patio?” That’s a completely understandable question. I highly recommend you check out this article on the pros and cons of artificial grass. Here’s my short-list of the benefits of synthetic turf, though:

Pros of Artificial Grass for Patios

• Requires no mowing, watering, fertilizing or weeding
• Stays lush and green year-round, even in shady spots or during droughts
• Provides a soft, non-slip surface that’s perfect for bare feet
• Highly durable, able to withstand heavy foot traffic, pets, and weather extremes
• Pet-friendly – easy to clean up solid waste and hose down
• Adds greenery without a lot of maintenance

Choosing the Right Type of Artificial Grass

You want to choose the right fake grass for your patio, right? Well, that means you need to understand what the best common types are. You have three main material options: polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon.

1. 1. Polyethylene – realistic look and feel, durable, soft-to-the-touch; moderate price
   2. Polypropylene – least expensive but also least durable; best for light traffic areas
   3. Nylon – durable and resilient, but also most expensive; not as soft

Factors to Consider When Choosing Artificial Grass

1. Pile height – shorter is more durable, longer looks more natural
2. Density – higher density appears fuller and withstands traffic better
3. Infill – keeps fibers upright, provides stability and cushioning
4. Backing – affects dimensional stability and drainage; hole-punched or permeable
5. Color – choose a blend that matches natural grass in your region
6. Intended use – high traffic areas, pets, children, aesthetics, etc.
7. Climate – select turf with cooling technology, UV resistance, and good drainage
8. Budget – balance desired features with costs; save on long-term maintenance

Artificial Grass Quality and Durability

You’re investing your time and budget on your patio’s fake grass. You need to consider the long-term impact of your choice. So, invest in high-quality artificial grass with UV protection. This prevents turf fading. (Yes, artificial turf does experience fading, more on that here.) Look for turf with a sturdy backing and high face weight. These indicate the density and resilience of the grass blades. Also, turf isn’t made to stay wet all the time. Avoid puddles (or odors) by making sure you have good drainage.

You can expect high-quality artificial grass to last 15-25 years if you invest in the right choices up-front.

Examining Pile Height and Density for your Patio

Pile height is the length of the grass blades. And density is simply how tightly the blades are packed together. Both determine the look and feel of your artificial lawn. Shorter pile heights resist wear and tear better. And they’re easier to clean. Longer piles have a better foot-feel. They give a fluffier, more cushioned feel.

Higher density turf looks fuller and withstands traffic better. You generally pay less for lower density, but you can definitely see and feel the difference. Here’s my starting suggestion for your patio. A pile height of 1 to 1.5 inches and medium to high density is a good all-around choice. You’ll definitely want to get some samples. Make sure your choices line up with your project vision and budget.

Evaluating Blade Type and Color for Fake Grass

Artificial grass blades come in various shapes, textures and shades of green. A combination of blade types, like flat and curly, will give your turf a more multidimensional, realistic look. Choosing a turf color that matches your regional grass varieties will also help it blend in with the natural surroundings. Order samples so you can see the color and texture in your space before buying.

Your Patio Needs Good Drainage

Proper drainage is necessary for any artificial grass installation. That’s especially true on your patio where water can pool. Look for turf with a perforated backing or built-in drainage holes to allow water to flow through. A quality sub-base material beneath the turf, such as compacted gravel, will also aid in drainage. Avoid turf with a solid backing for outdoor applications.

Installation Process and Requirements

I strongly recommend professional installation. The long-term life of your patio’s fake grass depends directly on how well it is installed. You want it done right. There are a lot of steps, requiring many tools, and many of these steps are work-intensive. You can definitely DIY this. But please make sure you’re up for it.

A proper installation involves excavating the patio surface, laying a sub-base, and securing the turf with nails or staples. Seaming and infill are also important steps. So, for you DIY’ers, make sure you have the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge. An uneven, poorly-drained, mis-matched patio turf is not what you want after putting all this effort into it.

The experienced folks at Artificial Turf Supply are happy to jump in for whatever level of support you need. Whether that’s simply consultation or a full install. You won’t regret it.

If you are planning to install yourself, please hop over to our in-depth artificial grass installation guide. Believe me. You want to walk into this complicated process as prepared as possible.

Maintenance Tips for Fake Grass on Patios

Fake grass is low-maintenance. It’s not completely no-maintenance, though. Protect that investment with some regular upkeep to to keep it fresh and beautiful. Use a leaf blower or rake to remove debris, and rinse occasionally with a hose to remove dust and odors. A special note for you pet owners: it’s important to clean up solid waste quickly. Then hose down the area. This helps keep turf fresh and avoid any staining. The occasional brushing will also help the blades stay upright.

Cost Considerations and Budgeting

I mentioned earlier that the artificial grass industry has come a long way. So you have many, many options to choose from. That also means the cost of artificial grass for patios varies widely. It mostly depends on the turf’s quality, as well as the features and size of your space. On average, you should expect to pay between $5 to $20 per square foot for the turf itself. Professional installation will add $2 to $10 per square foot. I know that upfront cost is higher than natural grass, and that’s painful to weigh. But remember that you’ll save money on maintenance and water usage over time. Many turf companies offer financing options to make the investment more manageable.

You can get a quote from Artificial Turf Supply now. That’ll take most of the guess-work out of these ranges I’ve provided.

Your Patio’s Fake Grass Future Awaits!

So maybe you’re still not a fake grass pro. At least you can now make decisions like one! Time spent on a sunny, comfortable, beautiful patio is time well-spent. And I hope this information helps make your artificial grass patio dreams come true.

The expert crew over at Artificial Turf Supply is just a call away at (866) 677-9405, and there are more professional tips and products on this website.

Article References:

1. Yahoo Finance spotlighting an Artificial Turf Market study by Spherical Insights, Nov. 2023