How To Have The Lawn Of Your Dreams

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We all know the struggle of trying to keep your yard looking nice. You spend countless hours picking out weeds and setting down fertilizer, only to wake up the next day to your yard looking worse. This is an unforgiving cycle of work without any real pay off.

 

Nobody likes doing yard work, especially when it doesn’t even make a difference. Well, as it turns out, there are viable options for yard maintenance that will keep your yard looking fantastic and are guaranteed not to waste your time. Here are the three most foolproof methods to having a yard with excellent curb appeal.

 

The Right Care

The first option you have when it comes to keeping a yard looking nice is to take better care of it. Just because you work on your yard a lot doesn’t mean you’re doing it correctly. You need to ensure that you’re giving the right amount of water to your yard and that you’re cutting it regularly, and the correct length. You should also ensure that you have the right nutrients for your type of grass, as using the wrong ones can cause harm to your yard.

 

Professional Lawn Care

The second option is for those of us who don’t have the time to tend to our yards every second or for those of us who do yet still come up short—hiring a professional landscaping company to take care of your yard while also taking the burden off your back. Lawn care companies are professionals at their craft and will do anything and everything it takes to keep your yard looking nice. While you would be spending a little extra each month, it would be well worth it as you won’t have to waste your time and money on incorrect yard care.

 

Synthetic Turf

If you want a beautiful yard without any upkeep, you should consider getting turf. A turf is a synthetic form of grass that requires virtually no maintenance! You won’t have to worry about watering the grass, cutting it, picking out weeds, or providing nutrients.

 

Because turf is artificial, it cannot die. It is also made extremely resilient to the elements and can hold its ground in any climate. Your yard will look beautiful and green all year round, without any maintenance or upkeep. The innovative turf products on the market today look and feel like natural grass, giving you the best of both worlds.

 

Find your forever yard at Texas Custom Turf, and leave yard work behind for good.

Is Synthetic Turf A Natural Solution?

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Your first impulse, in thinking about this weighty question, might be to say that of course, grass is a lot more natural than synthetic turf.

 

Still, it might make sense to think about it a little more.

 

Landscaping and turf management has become a billion-dollar business. Companies do battle in this market space all the time, in order to get contracts for mowing and spraying and fertilizing, etc.

 

Then you have your synthetic turf – yes, it’s made in a manufacturing facility, but it’s easy to put on, and cares for itself pretty well over time.

 

Herbicides and Chemicals

 

More and more, you see open lawn spaces being bathed in caustic chemicals, and even items that some organizations consider carcinogenic. Then you have cases where children or pets get exposed to these items, and you have a real mess on your hands. That’s why the landscaping companies now have to leave behind those little signs on plastic holders, to make sure that people don’t poison themselves.

 

That’s all-natural, right?

 

That’s tongue-in-cheek, but in all seriousness, synthetic turf requires none of this. You simply spray it with water. You eliminate all of this sometimes painful chemical process. You don’t even have to think about whether anything will be dangerous for dogs or kids – or get angry phone calls later if you didn’t anticipate some of these issues upfront. It’s enough to make any public space manager or business owner want something like artificial turf that takes care of itself!

 

Your Ecological Footprint

 

Most people understand the perils of treating natural grass with unnatural chemicals, but here’s something else to consider when you’re looking at synthetic turf.

 

Many companies and other big properties use landscaping crews to mow and trim.

 

Now, think about the carbon footprint of having those big mowers and other gear come to your property on trucks every week. Man, it really adds up!

 

Again, synthetic turf doesn’t require any of this. It’s easy to install, easy to clean and very easy to take care of, because it’s not growing and requiring a haircut every week out of the temperate growing calendar.

 

Want to learn more about how easy it can be to get an artificial turf solution for your property? Browse our web site. We have included some useful resources here for you to get acquainted with this process. Reach out to us for help with installation and more around the Austin, TX area.

How to Keep Your Artificial Turf Looking Great This Winter

How to Keep Your Artificial Turf Looking Great This Winter

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The year-round appeal offered by artificial turf is one of the main selling points for most homeowners. Millions of property owners around the United States have invested n artificial turf. If you have recently had artificial turf installed around your home, you are probably wondering what type of maintenance this material requires.

During the winter months, your artificial lawn will be exposed to cold temperatures and lots of moisture. If you want to avoid issues with your turf, you have to properly prepare for the winter months. Here are some things you can do to keep your artificial turf looking great this winter.

Let The Snow On Your Turf Melt Naturally

In many parts of the country, significant snowfall is quite common. If you live in an area that receives lots of snow, you know what a disruption this form of precipitation can be. One of the first things that most people do when confronted with large amounts of snow is to reach for a bag of sale. While salt does help the salt melt faster, it can also do a lot of damage when used on the wrong surfaces.

Trying to use salt on your new artificial turf can damage the fibers. This damage can cause rips and tears to develop over time. If your main goal is to get rid of the snow in a hurry, then using warm water is a great idea. Applying this water every few hours can help you get rid of snow without compromising the fibers in your artificial turf.

Check The Hardware Holding Your Artificial Turf Down

Inexperienced homeowners have no idea how artificial turf is installed. Once you see how this material is installed on your property, you will have a better idea of what is holding your turf down. Most companies use specially designed nails to secure the artificial turf on the ground around a home. Changes in ground temperature and an increase in moisture can make some of the nails holding your turf down loose.

Taking the time to check these nails and tightening the loose ones that you find can help you avoid serious repair issues in the long run. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this type of artificial turf maintenance, then contact Texas Custom Turf and let us do the work for you.

Remove Debris Quickly

Falling leaves and the changing colors are what most people love about fall. While leaves can be beautiful, they can also retain lots of moisture. Instead of allowing leaves to pile up on your artificial turf, you need to clean them off immediately. You also need to keep a close eye on any limbs or branches that fall onto your turf. Properly maintaining your artificial turf is the only way to keep this material looking new and vibrant for years to come.

Looking For New Artificial Turf?

Are you ready to take advantage of the benefits offered by artificial turf? If so, contact the team at Texas Custom Turf.

Not Just for Golf Courses!

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In decades past, synthetic turf or “astroturf” got kind of a bad reputation.

 

Not bad, exactly, but in some ways, quite limited. Synthetic turf sort of got “typecast,” unfortunately, because using it can help solve some big property issues. 

 

Think about a family of five playing mini-golf, swinging their putters over swaths of synthetic turf, or some faded and drab green stuff laid under picnic tables at a fast-food restaurant.

 

Now think about lush outdoor spaces where everything is neat and manicured, and you’ll never have weeds or dandelions or bald patches at all.

 

Synthetic turf is, frankly speaking, a miracle solution for many outdoor spaces where maintenance is a problem. With advances in design, synthetic turf can be an excellent option for elegant outdoor spaces and an alternative to slaving over grass, which can be prone to drying out or dying. 

 

Spraying and Harmful Effects

 

Generally, we’re seeing more awareness about the potential health problems linked to commonly use pesticides and herbicides. We’re also seeing how that awareness breaks down in property administration – if you’re making property decisions for anyone else, for a rental or a park or public business location, you can see some blowback from chemical treating, serious concerns that people may have about their children or their pets or themselves.

 

People don’t want to dump all of the stuff on their lawns – but in some cases, outdoor spaces that are not chemically treated can tend to get unruly. Synthetic turf can be a game-changer in these scenarios!

 

Stormwater Runoff

 

Suppose you’re trying to clean up a watershed area that leads down to a major waterway. We’ve also learned a lot about this in the past few decades. Years ago, there wasn’t as much of a focus on keeping bays and channels and river deltas in good health. Now, synthetic turf can be a way to decrease the amounts of grass clippings and other items making their way into storm sewers.

 

Easy Maintenance

 

If you’re wondering what synthetic turf can do for your property, take a look at all of the dollars and hours that are put into mowing and trimming and caring for a yard area.

 

Avoid all of this with synthetic turf that never needs this kind of haircut. You’ll see how easy it can be to maintain outdoor areas without sacrificing the look of your property. 

For more, check out the website and our gallery of projects, and give us a call with any questions about how to install these types of improvements at your home or business.

The Grass Can Be Greener With Texas Custom Turf

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When you have visions of lush, green grassy landscapes, artificial turf may not immediately come to mind. But what you may not know is that artificial grasses have come a long way from the football fields and cheap outdoor rugs of the past and today’s artificial turfs are creating designer impacts in many different applications. 

 

Artificial Grass

This new generation of artificial grass is made from innovative materials that offer realistic looks that feel soft to the touch and never fade. Because this material looks and feels so natural, it is becoming a popular choice for a growing number of uses and spaces. Not only does artificial turf give the appearance of healthy green grass, but it also requires zero upkeep and can be placed in any space regardless of environmental conditions. 

 

Courtyards & Alcoves

Many businesses and private properties have interesting architectural features such as courtyards and alcoves. These spaces have traditionally been bricked with stone or natural materials, tiled, or floored with concrete. The use of natural grasses is typically unsuccessful in these locations as drainage can be a problem, limited sunlight can hinder growth, and upkeep is difficult in smaller spaces. Artificial turf is a beautiful option for flooring or addition to the flooring of these enchanting areas, adding natural green of nature without the hassle of growing real grasses.

 

Pool Decking & Patios

While concrete and slate may work to keep dirt and debris out of our pools, these materials are hot to the touch and can make slips and falls more dangerous. Artificial turf is being used as an alternative to pool and patio decking as it provides a more forgiving surface. Adding design elements as well as providing necessary functionality, these artificial grasses can bring relief to vast areas of concrete. 

 

Yards & Outdoor Entertaining Spaces

Beautiful in any landscaping setting, artificial turf can be applied in as small or as large an area as you desire. No maintenance means you have more time to enjoy your great outdoors as you like, relaxing under shade trees, playing ball with family and pets, and entertaining guests with dinner al fresco. Artificial turf looks and feels so much like natural grass that except for the time and money saved on upkeep, you will not be able to tell the difference. 

 

Experienced Artificial Turf Professionals

Whether you plan to use artificial grass in your business or personal property, it is important to use the highest quality products and professional service available in order to achieve your goals. Texas Custom Turf makes your decision to leave natural grass behind with its innovative products and experienced technicians. Remember, the grass can be greener on both sides of your fence with Texas Custom Turf.

Go Green And Stay Green With Faux Lawns

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While 2020 has been a year full of conflict and uncertainty,many of us have had the pleasure of staying home more than we are accustomed to. Subsequently, home projects have been on the rise, and working on our properties and landscapes have given us new insight.

 

Labor Intensive & Costly Landscapes

Yard work can be an awfully laborious chore that can leave anyone sweating from the severity of the heat and elements. Because yard work is such a hassle, it has left many of us trying to think of ways to avoid doing it. While you could pay for lawn services to perform weekly maintenance of your yard for you, many of these services can run you out of pocket and become quite costly. 

 

An Option To Traditional Lawns

Artificial grass has seen a spike in popularity as of late, and for good reason. Artificial grass requires little to no maintenance making it drastically easier to care for than traditional lawns. Natural yards can contract diseases and develop health issues, resulting in more money and time spent continually on them. 

 

Faux Grass Has Zero Health Issues

Faux yards cannot contract any diseases, die from environmental and weather conditions, or fall victim to weeds and pests which in turn saves you money and time. They also don’t require any pesticides or fertilizers like natural grass. Because fake yards aren’t alive, you don’t have to worry about them dying so they require much less hands-on care. 

 

Little Maintenance 

Traditional lawns require constant cutting and trimming. They also require a great deal of watering and nutrients. Keeping up with the constant care needed for living grasses will begin to wear you down and consume all of your time and money. Faux grass will help you save all the money you spent on lawn care as it cuts it out of the equation.

 

Dependable Beauty

Another pro from having an artificial lawn is that it always looks good, year-round. Most yards will go through phases of looking ruff and worn down. It normally requires a lot of maintenance to revive ill lawns. Fake grass will always stay green without constant water or fertilizer. 

 

Keeping Clean

Artificial yards also don’t have dirt and bugs which will help to keep your house clean. Real grass yards can track in all sorts of mud and bugs getting them all over your home. Also, most artificial yards have built-in drainage systems preventing any types of flooding, preventing any damage to your home or property. 

 

Making The Change

It is known that normal yards require lots of unnecessary work which is why the smart decision would be to replace your yard with artificial grass and enjoy the benefits. Saving on time, energy, water waste, and money, as well as helping the environment through discontinued chemical use make artificial turf a wise decision. 

Texas Custom Turf will help you go green and stay green with faux grass lawns. Call today to find out how we can help your landscape work for you.

What to Do with Old Artificial Turf

What to Do with Old Artificial Turf

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Have you spent years loving your artificial turf? If so, that’s great. However, nothing will last forever – not the artificial turf you have installed. While it can last for 10 to 15 years or more, time will take its toll eventually.

When time starts to catch up with your turf, you will notice a few things. For example:

  • High traffic areas appear tired and won’t rebound without brushing
  • Infinitesimal fading is noticeable
  • Smelly bacteria or mold has developed
  • Seams separate and fray

If you have noticed these problems with your turf, now is an excellent time to consider replacing it. Installing new artificial turf will improve your home’s curb appeal, and if you are trying to sell, the idea of a low maintenance lawn is appealing to many buyers.

However, don’t just throw out the artificial turf. There are several steps you should take to ensure proper disposal.

Avoid Hauling the Turf to the Dump

You probably know that landfills across the country are overflowing. If you are like most people, the last thing you want to do is add even more waste to the pipe. The good news is that modern artificial turf can be recycled.

While this wasn’t always the case, recyclers can separate the infill material from the poly-plastics that are used for the backing and blades. After the turf has been cleaned and processed, it can be made into an array of products from t-shirts and tote bags to a top dressing for natural grass.

Breathing New Life into Old Grass

In some situations, organizations and municipalities like to use second hand, cheaper turf that is still in pretty good condition and ideal for batting cage mats or other lower impact areas. This turf will be cleaned and sanitized for these types of uses before it is reinstalled for use elsewhere.

It may be a good idea for you to keep some of the old turf, too. There are more than a few creative things you can do with artificial grass both inside and outside. When you repurpose your fake grass for use outside, it will fit in with other efforts you have made to promote sustainability.

You can also let people nearby know about the old turf that you have. You never know, a neighbor may need the turf to use as a floor in their child’s new playhouse or for their dog’s outdoor play area. You can either give it away or sell it to those who want it.

Shopping for New Artificial Turf for Your Landscape

When you replace your old lawn, it will refresh the entire landscape. You can decide to replace the turf just like before or give your yard a makeover by changing the shape or size. With artificial turf, this decision is easy because you don’t have to worry about limitations like dense shade or mowing convenience that may be problematic for natural grass. Be sure to work with the professionals to ensure that you get the high-quality turf that you want and deserve.

Artificial Turf vs. Rain: What to Know

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Rain is something Texans have to deal with. Not that you mind, after all, it’s better than endless weeks of drought. However, you may wonder, is the rain going to damage your newly installed artificial turf?

This is a good question. After all, once you invest in this, the last thing you want is to deal with damage and expensive repairs.

Don’t worry! Artificial turf is made to withstand all the natural elements, including rain. Not only that, but there are several benefits of choosing artificial turf over natural grass related to the rain that you may not be aware of.

It Won’t Fall Apart

While most people don’t think about their natural grass “falling apart,” the truth is, the blades may break off because of high foot traffic. This is even more of a problem if the grass is under duress, like it may be in rainy weather. Blades that break off are just like the clippings left behind when you mow – they are messy, clingy, and eventually going to make their way on your patio and into your home. While artificial turf may get a somewhat flattened appearance under very high traffic, the blades will not break. All you have to do is to brush the surface using a stiff bristle broom, and the grass will perk right back up.

It’s Durable and Made to Last

High-quality artificial turf won’t fall apart. It also comes with warranties for coverage and length. Why? Because, when you purchase something quality, the manufacturer is going to stand behind their product.

Keep in mind, though, to get the most benefits from your artificial turf; you have to choose the right type. There are unique turf options made for kids play areas, lawns, dog runs, bocce ball courts, and more. Each one of these will have somewhat different requirements. When you have the turf installed, you can ask the professionals about these to ensure it continues looking great, even with ongoing use.

It Helps Prevent Issues

When you invest in quality artificial turf, you have something much more than just a ground cover. It’s a multi-layer system that ensures proper drainage and stability for the grass that you can see on the surface. Therefore, having the turf installed professionally is so important. Even a quality product isn’t going to hold up if you are cutting corners on how it is installed. If the turf isn’t installed correctly, this may void your warranty, so make sure you don’t do this.

As you can see, artificial turf is made to stand up to even the rainiest conditions. However, if you want to make sure your artificial turf provides all the benefits mentioned here, you need to work with the professionals. They can help ensure you get the quality grass you need for a price you can afford. Even better, you don’t have to worry about mud puddles, runoff, and other issues that occur with natural grass.

Improving Your Environment with Artificial Turf

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At Texas Custom Turf, we stand behind our artificial turf products, and our customers love the way that these high-design materials look on pathways, yard areas, recreation areas and other kinds of greens … but that’s not the only reason to go with artificial turf for an outdoor space.

Think about these big questions regarding property maintenance when you’re evaluating different choices for high-traffic and heavy use areas or even other outdoor spaces that are mostly decorative. 

No Mowing

With artificial turf, the maintenance needs are greatly decreased. You won’t have to hire a mowing company to come in and keep the grass down every single week during the entire temperate season.

Instead, your turf area stays green and sparkling and just the right length with hardly any work at all (we do recommend rinsing the turf once in a while). It’s a massive saving to many property owners who have installed these synthetic turf options instead of wrestling with grass every season. Just think about the cost of maintaining a large riding mower and the labor that it will take in just one year to equal the utility and attractiveness of a nice green blanket of synthetic turf. 

Fewer Chemicals

Too many property owners choose to use harmful chemicals to create a lush, green yard. Weeds are a fact of life in natural green areas, and especially in commercial landscaping, chemicals like glyphosate are a very popular way to control them. The problem is that glyphosate at high levels can be dangerous, as we’ve seen with recent high-profile court cases against the current owner of Roundup.

This is another thing that artificial turf eliminates and on its own, it is a great reason to “go synthetic.”

Drainage

When it’s properly set up, artificial turf will drain like grass. In fact, in some cases, it may dream better. Where developers use stormwater management systems to deal with standing water in natural areas, we can provide specific drainage for the artificial grass that routes water away from where it can be a nuisance or a liability.

Talk to us about installing the right kinds of artificial turf on your outdoor areas of your property. We have experience helping customers to choose the right fit and install this material for good long term use. These surfaces are safe for pets and kids, tested by the American Society for Testing and Materials and also meet the standards of the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association. Call us for more details.

Go Green With Artificial Turf

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For those who love the look and feel of a luscious lawn, but struggle with the upkeep and cost of maintaining a healthy turf, there is a solution that is soaring in popularity. Artificial grass is quickly becoming more than just an option for sporting venues and miniature golf courses. With innovation in materials, artificial turf products now mimic the look and feel of real grass without the hassle and cost of upkeep.

These new artificial grass products are a landscaper’s dream come true. The drought resistant turfs can be used in any application imaginable, regardless of soil, sun, shade, or slope of the terrain, bringing to life any creative landscape design.

Synthetic turf installations have begun to be seen in commercial and residential spaces as they come in a wide range of specialized varieties. The benefits of having artificial turf, as opposed to the traditional real grass options, are quickly becoming recognized as concerns of costs, water conservation, and health rise among homeowners. 

With water conservation on the top of homeowner’s minds, saying goodbye to thirsty natural grass lawns makes good sense. Property owners who have switched to artificial turfs see the benefits in their bank accounts, which means water consumption is being lowered at significant levels. By saving on sprinkler use for the grass, water can be targeted to reach plants and foliage, which can also be drought tolerant to continue the savings trend. 

Eliminating the natural lawn also reduces the work and expenses of maintaining a freshly cut and lush ground covering. The less time spent on yard work, whether performed by the homeowner or by a lawn care business, the more time and money is saved. With that in mind, there is also zero use for hazardous chemicals that keep out bugs and plant diseases, again saving on expenses. 

However, leaving off the chemicals is also an essential factor for many property owners who have families and family pets that enjoy playing in the grass. Chemicals used to treat lawns are also responsible for making people and pets sick, something that consumers are beginning to become aware of when making their landscaping choices.

Having the ability to have lush, green grass is the goal, and homeowners see there is a better way to achieve the look they want for their yards. By cutting expenses of water and upkeep while maintaining a chemical environment, artificial turfs are quickly becoming a product that many people are choosing. Texas Custom Turf provides landscaping consultation and installation of the most innovative synthetic grass products on the market today. Save your time and money while helping the environment with a beautiful artificial turf.