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.

Understanding the Affect of Frost on Your Artificial Grass

Understanding the Affect of Frost on Your Artificial Grass

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While you probably hear a lot about how durable and tough artificial turf is, there are some who still don’t believe it. After all, synthetic turf is made out of plastic. How is it possible that grass has what it takes to withstand the really tough conditions? Like frost, for example. Under certain circumstances, frost can seriously damage natural grass.

When it comes to frost and artificial grass, though, that’s simply not the case. Here is everything you need to know about the affect of frost on your artificial turf.

The Affect of Frost on Grass

During a heavy frost, serious damage can occur to your natural grass. That’s because the moisture in the blades freezes. If you walk on the grass while it is frozen, the blades are going to break off. If it is extremely cold, then the blades may die back.

However, frost does not affect your artificial turf the same way it does your natural grass. While that is true, it’s not a good idea to walk on fake grass that is covered in frost. There are two reasons for this:

  1. While the artificial turf isn’t slippery when it is wet, frost is actually ice, and ice is slippery.
  2. If you walk on heavily frosted grass, it’s going to compact the ice, which may impede the ability of the turf to drain the moisture away as the frost starts to melt.

It’s Melts the Frost Faster

Frost isn’t going to hurt or damage your artificial grass. In most cases, as the day gets warmer, the frost will quickly evaporate away. You can help to make this process faster, if desired. For example, if you want to get out in the yard sooner, all you hve to do is pour a small amount of warm (not hot) water on the frosty area to melt it away. Because artificial turf is installed with an efficient drainage system, the moisture is going to go away quickly, allowing you to get outside and enjoy your yard sooner.

You may want to use a deicer or even salt on your turf, but this isn’t recommended. While these products aren’t going to damage the turf, they may leave behind a residue that causes damage to the backing. That may result in drainage issues down the road. Also, you don’t want the products leaching into your groundwater or soil, because this can result in several issues.

No Need to Winterize Your Turf

Because artificial grass isn’t affected by frost, there is no need to worry with winterizing it (this is usually a daunting process). Your turf is going to keep looking great, regardless of the weather outside.

If you are interested in having artificial turf installed in your yard, you will find it offers an array of unbeatable benefits. Be sure to keep everything here in mind and work with the professionals to ensure you get the results you want. This is an investment that is going to offer a significant ROI for your home.

Reasons to Choose Artificial Turf for Your School or Playground

Reasons to Choose Artificial Turf for Your School or Playground

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If you run a daycare, preschool, or child care center, it’s vitally important to have an area for the children to play outdoors and get necessary exercise. Playground equipment such as slides, swings, and climbing equipment are all great ways for children to enjoy the outside. However, keeping the grass in these areas green, pest free, and well maintained can be quite difficult. If you’re experiencing issues with this process, it may be time to consider the benefits of artificial turf for outdoor playground areas. Installing artificial turf can be a great way to keep children’s playground areas clean, safe, and fun, and has the following additional benefits:

Cleaner Play Area

When you opt to install artificial turf on your playground area, you’ll have a cleaner area for the children to play. Grass and dirt playgrounds can become muddy or dirty, with the environment that the children have access to changing with the seasons. An artificial turf play area stays consistent, meaning that the children can get outside to play no matter the weather. This, in turn, can make classes go more smoothly and the day an easier experience overall.

Lower Maintenance Costs

After the initial investment, artificial turf requires no maintenance cost. This means that you won’t have to pay to have the playground area mowed, sprayed, or maintained, saving you money throughout the year. You can eventually use the money that you’ve saved for improving the playground equipment, upgrading the playground area, and other necessary enhancements.

Additional Padding Around Playground Equipment

When you opt for artificial turf around your playground equipment, you can also add extra padding where it’s most needed. This means that if there are areas where children frequently fall and injure themselves on the playground, such as under the swings, at the foot of the slide, or near the climbing bars, you can consider installing extra padding under the turf in these areas to cushion their falls.  This can help reduce the number of playground injuries, while still allowing children to enjoy outdoor playtime.

No Need for Pest Removal

Grass playgrounds can bring unwanted guests with them – namely insects and pests. Artificial turf eliminates this as an issue, leaving no natural environment for them to live in. If you opt to have artificial turf installed, you automatically limit or eliminate the need for ongoing pest control services. You’ll also keep children from being exposed to said pests.

If you’re ready to have a safer, cleaner play area for your school or daycare, it may be time to opt for artificial turf.  Contact Texas Custom Turf today to learn how we can assist you as you create the perfect play area for your students.

The Most Common Misconceptions About Artificial Turf

The Most Common Misconceptions About Artificial Turf

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Are you considering artificial turf for your yard or business? If so, you may be hesitant to move forward with the purchase because of all the misconceptions “out there.” However, getting to know the truth about artificial turf can help you figure out – once and for all – if this is a smart option for your needs.

Myth: It’s too Expensive to be a Smart Investment

One of the biggest factors that impacts the cost of artificial turf is if you opt for professional installation or if you want to do it on your own. While there are several benefits of having the turf installed by professionals, you can save money handling this on your own.

Also, while there are some turf options that are more expensive than others, there are a lot of options available today. This means there’s something for everyone – regardless of your budget. Working with a professional company is a good way to find out what options are available and which ones are right for you.

Myth: You Can’t Handle Artificial Turf Installation Alone

This is another common myth. There are a large number of people who have completed the installation on their own (or with the help of friends) and their yards look amazing. While this is true, installing artificial grass is a big job and quite labor intensive. As a result, hiring the professionals (if it’s in your budget) is something that makes sense.

Myth: It Looks Fake

There are many people who have no idea what fake turf really looks like, as a result, they easily believe this myth. Most people are pleasantly surprised about the quality of the artificial turf that’s available today.

For those who have never seen artificial turf up close and personal, it’s a good idea to visit a showroom to see it before making a purchase. Take some time to see and feel the different options. Once people do this, most are convinced it’s worth the investment.

Myth: It Gets too Hot

Some people are also worried about how hot the artificial turf gets. Similar to any manufactured material, artificial grass will get warmer when it’s exposed to direct sunlight. While this is true, the grass doesn’t get so hot that it can’t do the intended job.

Myth: It Can’t be Recycled

Have you ever heard that artificial grass can’t be recycled? If so, don’t buy into it – its just not true. Similar to any other product, in the past, artificial grass wasn’t recycled. However, conservation and sustainability are important today, which means there’s an array of options that make it recyclable.

If you are thinking about buying and installing artificial turf, it’s a good idea to review all the myths about it, chances are they aren’t based on facts. This type of grass offers an array of benefits that make it a good option for any property, both commercial and residential yards. Check out some of the options yourself to see if they are a good investment.

Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with Artificial Grass

Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with Artificial Grass

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Your backyard is more than just the space of land behind your house. It’s also a place where your pets frolic, your children play, and you host barbecues and other get-togethers with friends. The fact is, when people are looking to purchase a home, the backyard is one of the first things that they’ll notice. Homebuyers often try to envision what their life will be like when they move in, and they try to imagine how they can make the most out of this space. However, if your backyard is bare, sparse, patchy, and ugly, it may be turning off these potential buyers. If you want to greatly improve your home’s curb appeal, then you need to turn to artificial grass.

Make Your Yard Vibrant and Beautiful

Here in Texas, we get more than our share of sunshine. Unfortunately, sometimes we also get our share of dry seasons and droughts, too. When these happen, our lawns are often the first thing to go. After all, water is a valuable resource here! When you have an artificial lawn, though, your back yard will stay green – no matter how dry and hot the weather is!

Maintenance and Upkeep is a Breeze

With a conventional lawn, there’s a certain amount of work that’s required to keep it looking nice. Either you have to get out there every week to mow it, or you have to bribe one of your children to do it for you. Pushing your lawn mower across your lawn is a thing of the past when you install artificial turf in your back yard.

Enjoy Less Bugs and Pollen

While you may enjoy spending time in your back yard, indulging in the sunset or spending some time with your friends, it’s probably safe to say that you don’t like the bugs and pollen that go hand-in-hand with your outdoor time. The good news? Artificial lawn doesn’t come with either of these issues, allowing you to lounge outside without constantly sneezing or nasty bug bites!

Artificial Turf is Children and Pet Friendly

Finally, getting artificial turf isn’t just a smart and attractive idea. It’s also a safe bet, too! While an actual real grass lawn can have all sorts of nasties hiding in it, our artificial lawns are completely safe for children and pets, which means you don’t have to worry about them being harmed while running around outside on it!

Without a doubt, the appearance and upkeep of your backyard is a major consideration when thinking about selling your home. Whether you’re planning on sticking around for awhile — or you’re hoping to put your house on the market in the near future – you want to make sure you have a beautiful and easy-to-maintain backyard space. For a free quote or to get more information about boosting your property value with artificial turf, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Texas Custom Turf today!

Seam Rupture Repair

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 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.

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#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.

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#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.

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

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#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.

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#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.

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

Artificial Grass – Durable Enough for the Toughest Athletes

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Are you ready for some football?! It’s no secret that artificial turf has found its home in many stadiums across Texas. The Astrodome is one of the first major sports stadiums to install synthetic grass. And just like the Astrodome, artificial turf has made many technological advances since 1965.

 

The artificial grass of today is so realistic, it’s becoming more difficult to tell the difference between real and fake grass.

 

It’s soft, durable, and long lasting.

 

And that synthetic grass needs to be tough to withstand the largest players on the field. The average offensive lineman stands tall at around 6’4 and weighs in at over 300 pounds! Our turf accepts that challenge, and will not flatten or wear down. If our artificial grass can withstand professional football players, why can’t it stay just as durable when it comes to multi-pet households and children?
Synthetic grass is just as safe as it is strong. It can withstand rough play, is soft to the touch, and you can say goodbye to the hours of maintenance a traditional lawn requires. Did we mention that your grass will stay green all year long? Rain or shine, your synthetic grass will be the best looking lawn on the block![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]