Complement a Garden to a Synthetic Lawn

September 19, 2017/in Landscaping/by idgadvertising

Complement a Garden to a Synthetic Lawn

One of the vast benefits of synthetic turf is its ability to blend in with foliage and plants. You could almost say it’s better to complement the two. Even though turf is synthetic in nature, it pairs well with real plants. The reason being is because it’s hard to tell the difference between grass and our synthetic turf. Without the added cost in maintenance and time spent watering your lawn, you can use those extra hours to spruce up the foliage landscape. Luckily, synthetic grass can be adaptable to any type of area as it won’t be affected by landscaping or even yards without the added trimmings.

Additionally, it’s nice to know that you can install turf anywhere at anytime of the year. We cut and craft the shape of turf to align to the area in which you would like it placed. Some individuals wish to add stones, sand, rocks, etc. along their turf and it doesn’t matter, because we’ve done it all. The visual array of the artificial grass makes everything else around it look more vibrant and spruced up. Even during harsh winter months or dry summers, the lawn will stay in pristine shape.

A further benefit is pest control. Without real grass, less pests will affect your garden area. We will go further into this in next week’s blog. For now, let’s check out different ways in which to blend artificial grass and plant-infused landscapes. The pictures below are all projects done by Texas Custom Turf. To begin, the first image clearly shows a typical garden, which is divided by a stone trim. The synthetic turf easily aligns to the curvy shape in which the garden is formed. The second image is a yard split off by the hilly terrain behind it. Even though these are two completely different landscapes, the foliage still fits well alongside the artificial grass. The last image is a house set on a small lawn decorated by ordinary plants in pots to lighten up the synthetic yard. All three yards are different, yet each provide an impeccable look.

Pets Adore Texas Custom Turf

July 31, 2017/in Pets/by idgadvertising

Pets Adore Texas Custom Turf

Those of us who have pets, want them to have the best environment possible. Especially those with dogs, the ultimate outdoor backyard is important to keep your canine happy. With the Texas summer heat rolling in, sometimes this isn’t always possible. It’s difficult keeping grass healthy, green and luscious. Some of us even have trouble with stickers finding their way in the house from shoes, and the pesty things getting stuck in your dog’s fur.

One of artificial grass’ primary benefits is the fact it’s so pet friendly. Pets are bound to spend so much time on this one product, so the criteria must include durability. From digging to pounding and playing, synthetic grass can withstand rough play from even the largest of dog breeds. The complex polyethylene fibers have a weaved composition, making it sturdy to hold up during high performance. An additional benefit of the polyethylene fibers is the nontoxic component. This is why it’s used so often for dog kennels, pet hotels, dog runs, you name it. The feel is comfortable as well and is most suitable for many pets at once. Its state-of-the-art draining system allows drainage to permeate through easily and effectively. Pet odors are kept at a standstill as well. However, just make sure to wash off the turf with a hose and water to clean off solid waste. The best part is, the grass will never erode or change in colors.

Texas Custom Turf has had the pleasure to work with many pet yards, and all the dogs hit it off well with the new surface. Below are some of the projects Texas Custom Turf has worked on — some were specifically for dog runs, while others were for recreational use that the owner’s pets still found enjoyment in.

City-Wide Projects

June 30, 2017/in Commercial Projects/by idgadvertising

City-Wide Projects

Many businesses and private companies are on the forefront of switching from grass to turf. Major cities such as Austin, Dallas, New York and LA are leaning more towards an environmental friendly trend. Comparing the costs of upkeep for grass vs. turf makes turf a winning contestant. City-wide projects range from parks to sports fields. Even school districts such as Fort Worth ISD and Waco have switched to turf as a means of weatherproofing and cost savings. Some organizations argue that the level and playing surfaces provides a safer alternative than grass as well.

While the cost of turf may seem expensive, the investment pays for itself over time. Unlike grass which needs regular maintenance, and in Texas most likely replanting, artificial grass maintains itself with its internal drainage system. Turf doesn’t require mowing or chemicals or other factors that individuals may not consider like when cities have to close down streets and parks to allow for watering, tending and trimming lawn. This allows for artificial grass to be used to its full potential in public spaces.

Texas Custom Turf has dealt with many commercial properties. The most recent project was a 11,500 square foot install of Diamond Light Fescue at the Westwood Country Club in downtown Austin, Texas. CEO Chris Neighbors said the install “took a little extra TLC and attention to detail. The club itself has large oak trees all over the property, which required a different drainer layer underneath the turf.” The end result can be found below along with an additional property in Alpine for a hotel pool and a duplex complex. These are just some of the many artificial turf projects Texas Custom Turf has done for commercial properties.

Turf vs. Grass for Athletic Fields

June 15, 2017/in Athletics, Investment, Maintenance/by idgadvertising

Turf vs. Grass for Athletic Fields

Grass has too many disadvantages nowadays for it to be a better investment than synthetic turf. Especially for athletic fields, some of the disadvantages range from injuries to weather to maintenance. For example, if a heavy rainstorm occurred or a drought lasted longer than expected, replanting grass costs too much time and money. The field becomes muddy when it rains and dry and patchy when it doesn’t. Consequently, the upkeep is a full-time job between watering, mowing and edging. That’s why so many teams and schools have switched over to synthetic turf; the maintenance is obsolete compared to grass.

For synthetic turf, the minimal maintenance includes brushing the field every so often to keep the blades in an upright, neutral position and the infill leveled out; sweeping for larger debris like leaves; and aerating to ensure the infill is not compacted. FieldTurf has its own draining system for sweat, dirt, water, etc. and keeps away the growth of bacteria simultaneously. The most important factor is the water conservation as it’s redundant to water the field. It can also sustain throughout any type of weather conditions.

Moreover, synthetic turf is uniform without potholes and uneven surfaces that grass has. Some studies have found that synthetic turf lessens these injuries (Sources: FieldTurf). If we wanted to dig even deeper into the advantages, artificial grass is more appealing aesthetically too. All in all, the investment pays for itself. We can’t reiterate enough about the decreased upkeep and maintenance. From water conservation to minimal upkeep and to the advantages players gain from the improved field, grass has officially bit the dust.

Eco-Friendly Yard

June 1, 2017/in Environment/by idgadvertising

Eco-Friendly Yard

The debate over global warming and protecting the environment has been an ongoing issue. However, it’s safe to say a majority of us agree that cutting back on water usage and pollution can only help the environment and our wallets. Many homeowners have taken steps to do home improvements and DIY projects to make their household an eco-friendly oasis. Projects such as replacing light bulbs that can last up to 10 years to installing showerheads that minimize water flow helps in a variety of ways. Did you know 53% of U.S. adults made some type of home improvement in the past 12 months (Nielsen Local)? Depending on the market, landscaping can increase the value of a home up to 25% (Lawn & Landscape).

This brings us to talk about the economic friendly aspects of synthetic grass. Synthetic grass kicks back on water, pesticides and pollution. A homeowner can save 55 gallons of water per year for every square foot of grass replaced with synthetic turf (Purchase Green). One may even overlook the disadvantages of gas pollution caused from lawnmowers or pesticides that may pollute the environment. In addition, the time and money spent on a lawn annually adds up as well.

Texas Custom Turf not only provides the turf needed for the job, but installs as well. Depending on your budget and preference, we offer an assortment of products to suit your needs. From residential to playgrounds & parks to putting greens, Texas Custom Turf has over 20 years of combined experience. If interested, you can fill out an application online or email us directly at info@texascustomturf.com.

Seam Rupture Repair

January 25, 2017/in Blog/by idgadvertising

Seam Rupture Repair

A seam rupture occurs when seams binding synthetic turf together break down, leaving a barren spot. This may or may not be fixable depending how bad the seam rupture is. It’s important not to leave the ruptured seam at bay because not only does it create an unattractive look in your yard, but it could cause harm to someone if they trip and fall over the riff. Repairing ruptured seams requires skill and careful scrutiny.

Let’s break the process down in a few steps:

#1) Remove the infill. Use a Shop-Vac or high-performance blower to remove the infill past the repair to avoid an infill buildup.

#2) Use a carpet kicker. If the seam is pulled apart, then place a carpet kicker two feet away from the seam and kick the two sections together. Make sure to go by the width of the manufacturer’s gauge specifications. Trim the seam so the edges will fit.

#3) Insert temporary nails. Place temporary nails 18 inches from the center of the seam on both sides so the turf will not move during the gluing process.

#4) Apply new seam tape. Replace the old seam tape with a new strip. To do this, place the seam tape in the center of the two sides and secure with staples/nails.

#5) Break out the adhesive. Use an adhesive when securing the two sides of the synthetic turf together.

#6) Secure the sections. Once infill is removed, secure the two sections together. Use the Shop-Vac/blower to clean out excess infill, then place the adhesive 1/8 inch on the seaming tape.

#7) Compress while curing. Use 50 pound bags to compress the adhesive while it’s curing. Check the seam every 15 minutes to ensure the process is running smoothly.

#8) Replace the infill. Replace the infill by hand so the fibers will not be trapped, exposing the seam.

Let it Snow

January 19, 2017/in Landscaping, Snow/by idgadvertising

Let it Snow

The weather is gradually becoming cooler each day. On the off chance snow comes out to play, what does that mean for your synthetic grass? Well believe it or not we’ve been over this. It should be obvious by now that synthetic turf is almost invincible.

Fun fact: Artificial grass has the capability to drain 30+ gallons of rain per hour, per square yard.

So what we’re trying to say here is your grass is not going to freeze up and give your dog frostbite. We should also point out that your grass will look even better than your neighbors because it’ll be green and beautiful every season.

CEO Chris Neighbors points out, “Well it’s not alive so it doesn’t die. And since it’s essentially a plastic, snow or ice won’t hurt it.” It’s called polyurethane/polyethylene yarns and they are skillfully engineered to endure cold, harsh weather. Even the infill helps out as it slows the freezing from occurring.

“Well it’s not alive so it doesn’t die. And since it’s essentially a plastic, snow or ice won’t hurt it.” – CEO Chris Neighbors