Fluff up Your Turf with Drought-Tolerant Plants

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Turn Your Landscape into a Drought-Tolerant Oasis

So you finally have your perfect synthetic grass landscape. Maybe you’ve noticed there’s something else missing. What goes great with a synthetic yard? Plants. Drought-tolerant plants at that. And we’re not talking about the synthetic plants you buy at your local Hobby Lobby. You can purchase real-life plants that require minimal maintenance and water, just like your synthetic grass.

 

The following list of plants plants bloom beautifully and are perfect for a drought environment.

  1. Evening Primrose: A fragrant plant that grows flat on the ground and blooms into an exquisite pink and white flowery display throughout the spring and fall seasons.
  2. Hummingbird Saga: Perfect for spring as it grows rose-lilac colored flowers and emits a fruity scent. Most importantly, it’s drought and frost tolerant.
  3. Island Bush Poppy: This is an evergreen shrub that blooms in the spring and can handle cold temperatures. It sprouts yellow flowers.
  4. Purple Sage: Another evergreen shrub that attracts butterflies because of its light purple flowers and fuzzy white & green leaves.
  5. Trailing Lantana: This plant blooms lavender flowers in the spring and is also a butterfly magnet. It’s perfect for ground cover and minimal maintenance

 

You might be in the next steps of your landscaping to enter the world of plants or maybe not just yet. Either way, you should still look into some drought-tolerant plants to give your yard that extra “oomph.” Sprucing up your landscape makes it that much more realistic looking!

 

Have any plants you’ve used that requires minimal maintenance and water? Shoot us a note!  

Blade Shapes and Why They Matter

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Blade Shapes and Why They Matter

 

So you probably didn’t even realize synthetic grass has different blade shapes before reading this article. Additionally, you’re probably wondering how they could possibly matter that much. The truth is, choosing the right blade shape is like picking out that great pair of shoes you wear 24/7 until the sole finally gives out. Except, synthetic turf lasts waaaaaay longer, so maybe a car investment would have been a better example. Let’s get to it! 

 

3D Curvy “W” Fiber

Our first runner-up is the 3D Curvy “W” fiber. Oooooh. This shape is like the ultimate foam mattress. The shape just springs right back up after stepping on it. This is probably the reason why it’s also the most popular – think TigerTurf Diamond Line. This baby can also withstand medium to high amounts of foot traffic.

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Diamond De-lustered

And in this corner is the Diamond De-lustered. It’s all about the feel for this guy. Think taking off your shoes and enjoying a relaxing outdoor experience on your realistic looking synthetic grass. People like this one because it looks aesthetically appealing, which is why it’s most commonly used for front yards or landscaping. And it can still deal with high foot traffic.

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Omega

Next we have the Omega, which is exactly how it sounds – durable!! This W-shaped blade can handle the roughest of the rough foot traffic. Even though it’s highly durable, the Omega can still provide a soft feel. It’s found in the popular Everglade synthetic grass series and Pet Turf. *Woof*

 

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‘M’ shape

The next competitor is the ‘M’ shape and is even more durable than Mr. W. Uh-oh. This one is for EXTRA durability reassurance. The shape of this blade is specifically for intense pressure points over several different areas. The shape diminishes the foot traffic impact making it the strongest yet. It’s most commonly found in the Everlast Turf Riviera Pro that’s ideal for landscapes experiencing some major foot traffic.

 

 

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‘S’ Blade

Last but not least we have the ‘S’ Blade. This shape is popular because of its super-scary realistic look. It was added to the Everlast Turf Tacoma synthetic grass product to pump up its game. This newly designed look can even withstand up to high foot traffic as well, making it a perfect competitor.

 

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Still have no idea which blade is ideal for your project?! That’s okay! Reach out to us, because Texas Custom Turf knows just what you need. 

Rooftop and Balcony Installations

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Rooftop and Balcony Installations

 

Is This a Thing? 

Of course! Imagine being a city dweller living in an apartment or owning a home with a balcony. What are the chances of those individuals actually using their roof or balcony? Now imagine installing synthetic turf within these areas. Never thought about that before, have you? Would synthetic turf make you would want to venture out to your rooftop or balcony more often? It could very well be an appealing idea, because you can transform a boring rooftop view or a lonesome balcony into a relaxing sanctuary for recreation or privacy. It’s like having a yard without dealing with the work a yard entails. Living in a city could now provide the best of both worlds. 

 

Does Texas Custom Turf Know How to Install These Projects? 

Always. In truth, these rooftop/balcony installations are becoming quite popular. A lot of these projects are so different from what installers are used to, that they don’t provide this service. However, with Texas Custom Turf we’ve already had the experience and know exactly what to do!

With artificial turf, you can pretty much install turf wherever you’d like. It requires minimal maintenance and the composition is the same all year round. The turf will not add heat to the rooftop and you don’t need to worry about the weather or temperature, because synthetic turf can withstand the dreariest of days.

 

How Is It Done?

Most rooftops or balconies use TPO – thermoplastic polyolefin. TPO allows 100% protection against water and offers an inexpensive way to complement a roof setting. A SGW drain system must also be installed so water and other particles are not hanging out on the roof with nowhere to go. An adhesive must also be applied first to make sure the drain core stays in place. Next, a fiberglass reinforcement is applied for a smooth surface so rain water can pass under the drain core and exit the roof or balcony. Lastly, you can add the customary infill and turf.

 

 

 

Texas Custom Turf Has Floating Golf Greens!

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Floating Golf Greens

Fall is finally on its way and the cold might finally make an appearance. That means the days of swimming are over. But that doesn’t mean you need to close up the pool for the season, because Texas Custom Turf is now selling Floating Golf Greens! Have a little family fun or invite some friends over for a “pool party.” This new and improved golfing experience is one for the books. 

 

What are They?

Floating Golf Greens are exactly how they sound – golf greens that float on the water. These are perfect for golf enthusiasts that want to add a little fun to their life and it’s possible right at their own home. The turf-covered pool chipping green includes a turf Teebox, Floating Golf Balls, a Premium Practice Flag and instructions to set up.

The fringe on the flotation devices even extend over to deliver a green closer to 9’ by 13’. This is to make an optimal golfing palooza perfect for any golf lover whatever their expertise level may be.

 

What Can You Use it For?

You can use the green for a residential or country club pool, pond, dock, or lake setting. Honestly, you can probably use it for any setting as long as there is plenty of water. You can set the greens either closer to your golfing station or further away for optimal practice or fun. They even come in different sizes ranging from a 3’ X 3’ to a 8’ X 12’.

 

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You can’t deny it sounds like a ball of fun! Reach out to us so we can tell you more. Texas Custom Turf has got you covered.

 

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Premature Matting

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What is Premature Matting?

Synthetic turf is known for its minimal maintenance and long-lasting look and feel. However, a pesky little thing called “premature matting” can require additional maintenance if you allow it to occur. Premature matting is just like it sounds – the turf fibers become all matted up and are no longer in an upright position. This is caused from excessive weight for a significant amount of time or heavy foot traffic. To prevent premature matting, the first step is to know your landscape and ask yourself a few questions to figure out the optimal turf product for your needs.

How Do I Prevent It?

One important question is: “Is the turf going to be exposed to heavy foot traffic?” Are your kids going to be playing all day on it? Do you have pets? Are you putting furniture or other heavy objects on top? Or is it simply there to give a nice appeal to your yard?

If the answer is yes to a lot of foot traffic, then you probably want a textured or grooved fiber. The infill should also be a factor for heavy foot traffic like taking a mixture of 70% crumb rubber and 30% Durafill. If the area requires a lot of entering and exiting, then a hardscape installation may be a better way to go as well. This can be a series of stepping stones or pavers to create as much internal movement as possible.

What Else?

Another factor to take into consideration is if your kids will be playing on it. If this is the case, then a softer fiber usually is a better choice. You still want a textured fiber as well, but you can still have it soft to the touch. Additionally, heavy objects on the synthetic turf can cause premature matting. Weight allows fibers to lose their memory faster, especially if weight is present for extended amounts of time. Infill should be placed to the top of the fibers where the furniture is to be placed.

Remember, the most important question to ask yourself is what the turf will be used for. This will help Texas Custom Turf tremendously as we’ll be able to better serve your needs and offer a turf product that requires minimal maintenance.

Synthetic Grass Timeline

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1950s

The Ford Foundation’s Educational Facilities Lab encouraged synthetic fiber carpeting in schools to improve inner city youth’s physical fitness.

1960s

The Astrodome in Houston, Texas had the first ever artificial playing surface. Originally the Astrodome was covered in grass, then problems arose trying to keep the grass well kept. The glare off of the transparent roof caused issues for players trying to catch fly balls. The Houston Astros used “Chemgrass” later named “Astroturf,” which was tightly curled nylon fibers woven into a foam backing.

Early 1970s

Introduced in Europe, but made out of polypropylene (what is common today) instead of nylon fibers. This was much cheaper, more comfortable and less risky than nylon. This became known as “shag turf,” following the shag carpet trend.

Late 1970s

This development resembled more of an artificial grass look as the fibers were designed longer and had spaced out tufts, with sand splayed between the fibers. This made a more firm and stable surface for players. Then the grass was designed flatter later on, but the development caused injuries in soccer when opponents fell.

1990s

Featured an even softer polyethylene blade fiber, with multi colored and multi length fibers with a stronger backing. This well designed turf is the one found on lawns today. It has the most realistic look and feel.

Turf Rules the Playgrounds

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The World is Your Playground

Turf is engineered to be safe, clean and durable for any kind of kid play. Kids are notorious for falls and scrapes so we made sure to make the impact from a fall as safe as possible. Our turf is made to protect against impact injuries as the padding can cushion falls up to 10 feet or more, meeting American Society for Testing and Materials standards. The pads underneath the equipment are also made to meet the height and fall requirements for IPEMA (International Play Equipment Manufactures Association). 

 

The durafill and turf even maintains its look and feel for several years. Water won’t have to be wasted anymore, maintenance is not a hassle and kids can have fun whenever they’d like. Texas Custom Turf has a lush and soft feel to the touch and is able to withstand heavily foot trafficked areas. Even better, synthetic grass is allergen free and grass stains will be long gone. Synthetic grass let’s you play outside without the actual hassle the outdoors can bring. 

 

The Materials in the Turf?

Your job is to pick the surface of your choice as Texas Custom Turf has state-of-the-art artificial playground turf that can transform any type of rubbish into a kid haven. Texas Custom Turf is manufactured with the highest quality yarn, passing the AST (American Society for Testing and Materials) and RCRA (Resource Conservation Recovery Act) standards for use by children and the environment. Our turf systems for playgrounds also meet IPEMA (International Play Equipment Manufactures Association) requirements with its unique combination of polyethylene monofilament and nylon yarns accompanied by a recyclable foam pad for shock absorption at multiple fall-heights should a child fall from the equipment.

 

Projects by Texas Custom Turf

 

Kids are Kids

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Harmony School

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Lake Hills Church

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Picture Perfect Summertime Lawn

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Picture Perfect Summertime Lawn

 

Summer Is Rough on Our Lawns

Summer is almost halfway done and the heat is gradually becoming hotter. Grass is turning brown as water is too costly to use on a daily basis. Keeping grass green, especially in Texas, is a difficult task. Do you ever long for a yard that keeps its composition and color all year round? Well, there’s an obvious solution. Synthetic turf is your one way stop towards a beautiful yard. Not only will it be able to keep its color and composition, but requires little to no maintenance to do so.

 

Save Money on Water

Synthetic turf will not dry out or become damaged by the sun’s rays. The blades on the turf are made out of a polypropylene, which is a heat-resistant material that always keeps cool no matter the season. Of course, if you do have pets or if debris is caught up within the blades, a rinse with a hose and water can quickly solve the problem. The point is, you save so much money on water because the turf doesn’t require it at all.

 

Family and Pet Friendly

Since the synthetic turf is heat resistant, it will not become too hot for pets or children to play on. You’re also able to gain back some downtime, since yard work usually takes up a day from play. You’re able to gain a day back to play with your pets and kids. Additionally, the turf is nontoxic for everyone. Even mud tracks and paw prints will not amount to an issue since mud does not make up the slightest section of synthetic turf.

 

Synthetic Turf Is Durability Engineered

The quality of materials synthetic turf is made out of ensures strength and durability. No matter the roughness of play, synthetic turf will keep its feel and structure. Even if rain were to occur or any other liquids hit the surface, the drainage system within the turf keeps the water away.

 

Beautiful Lawn All Year Long

Wouldn’t you want to have a beautiful lawn in summertime? Having a luscious, green and mesmerizing lawn is an investment worth taking. Don’t avoid the outdoors during summer because your lawn isn’t fit to hang out on. Synthetic turf will only provide benefits that’ll pay off in the end.
Questions? We love them, ask away!

Putting Greens for Golf Enthusiasts

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Putting Greens for Golf Enthusiasts

With 29 million golf players in the U.S., you could say the sport is fairly popular. Some play in the professional industry while others are more into it as a recreational activity. Whichever the use, Texas Custom Turf installs putting greens for your needs. A fair number of community and professional golf courses have started to switch over to synthetic putting greens because of the ease of maintenance and the optimal performance. Synthetic putting greens are maintained like any other synthetic turf – rinse with a hose and water. They perform just as well, if not better, as regular golf courses. They are specifically designed to withstand game use time after time, and keep their texture and composition no matter the season.

 

A few ingredients make up synthetic turf:

  1. Decomposed Granite: This is the foundation for your putting green as it keeps the surface incredibly level. It is made out of a clay-like texture that provides a surface the ball needs to roll realistically.
  2. Three-Inch Nails: Since the blades on the turf are a lot shorter than regular commercial turf, they require three-inch nails rather than six-inch nails.
  3. Durafill: This makes sure the ball doesn’t bounce and gives it that backspin to grab onto the surface. The small granules also help with the smooth surface and play the role as an abrasive.

 

Eco-Friendly and Authentic Look & Feel

The synthetic putting green also feels and looks authentic. With such minimal maintenance, it is eco-friendly. Our installers are able to customize for your optimal size of putting green, including installments for your backyard. Some individuals prefer to have their own backyard putting green as a way to entertain guests or satisfy their golf enthusiast needs. Check out the pictures below to see some of the backyard putting green jobs we have installed.

The outer fringe borders the putting green to give it a more realistic appeal for your backyard. Luckily, the turf even keeps its green color all year long and requires minimal maintenance. Water is only used if you need to spray some debris off the blades. The putting greens are made with a texturized polypropylene that keeps the strength and stability for several years. Even the height of the blades is customizable for your preferences.

 

The Next Step

If you run a golf course business or if you are just a golf enthusiast, we can help! Let us install your putting green synthetic turf for a much better investment. From easy maintenance to authentic play and feel, synthetic putting greens really are the way to go. We’re here to make your life easier and happier.

 

Still have questions? No problem, email us & ask away! 

 

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Synthetic Putting Green Installments by Texas Custom Turf

Turf Helps with Allergy Season

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Allergies No More

Around 50 million Americans have some sort of grass allergy, making it difficult to even enjoy their own yard. The cause comes mostly from pollen as trees and a variety of grass types release it into the air as the wind spreads it around to different yards. This is where synthetic turf comes in and solves for the problem. During allergy season, mostly spring and summer, grass harbors pollen which in turn triggers allergies. Synthetic turf is made from manmade products and does not hold as much pollen as regular grass would. Even if some pollen were to get caught up in the turf blades, routine rinsing of the turf will wash away any allergy-causing debris.

A yard with grass requires excessive manual labor on a routine basis. There really is no way around the grass allergies even if the lawn were maintained regularly. Excess grass growth traps dust, pollen and allergy-causing debris, which in turn causes itchy eyes, runny nose, congestion and so on. If you were to mow, pollen would still be stirred up in the air from the process. With turf, all you need is a hose and water. It even has a built in draining system that doesn’t allow for any buildup or bacterial growth.

 

Pets Are Affected too

Did you know dogs even suffer from allergies? Many may not know that turf is safer for pets as well. Dogs are constantly rolling around in grass, running around kicking up dirt, and having a good ‘ole time. But these rough plays are kicking up pollen as well which affects the dogs and their owners. With synthetic turf, this pollen issue will be no more. Additionally, the turf is actually pet friendly in more ways than one. Click here to find out why.

 

Invest in Turf for Your Health

Synthetic turf reduces the need for pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Cutting back on these harmful products helps with allergies as well, because they won’t be breathed in ever again. Reducing pollen from your yard will make an incredible difference you’ll be sure to notice. Don’t keep fighting those gruesome allergies year after year. Invest in turf to make your life that much easier and healthier.

 

Have questions? Please feel free to reach out!