• Facts about artificial turf sold at Watersavers.

    FACTS

    ARTIFICIAL TURF

Artificial Turf FactsYour Questions Answered

Do you have questions about artificial turf? Whether you are wondering about how to install it, how safe it is for kids and pets, or how long it lasts, we’ve got you covered. Our goal is to help you choose the right turf for your project and keep it looking great for years to come. Plus, with free delivery, industry-leading warranties, and contractor discounts, shopping with Watersavers Turf is a smart choice. Explore our FAQ page to find answers to all your synthetic grass questions and see why we are a trusted source for artificial turf.

Installation Tips & Key Artificial Turf Facts

Proper installation is key to a long-lasting artificial lawn. Every detail – from base prep to blade direction – plays a role in the final look and durability of your turf. Whether you are a homeowner tackling a DIY project or a contractor working on a large-scale installation, our artificial turf installation tips will guide you through best practices to ensure success from day one.

Our FAQ page covers the most common questions we receive, but let us know if you don’t find what you are looking for. We are happy to help! Visit one of our stores, call us at 844-974-8873, or get a free quote today.

Common Artificial Turf Questions

How does your free delivery work?

We offer free next day delivery on a minimum of 300 sq ft.

Watersavers Turf will deliver to your job site or place of residence if it is located in the San Francisco Bay Area*

*Dependent on manufacturer inventory

Do you deliver outside of the San Francisco Bay Area?

Yes! We have shipped our turf products across the country. Please contact us for a shipping quote!

How much does artificial turf cost?

The cost of installing artificial turf depends on a few factors. Pricing is based on square footage, type of turf used, and any other materials used during the installation. Please contact us to receive a free quote!

Is synthetic turf safe for children and pets?

Yes! Our products are PFAS-free, lead free, and safe for adults, children, and pets.

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What kind of maintenance does turf require?

Maintenance is minimal. Clear any debris like fallen leaves, branches and trash that may land on your grass. This will help maintain a clean look and prevent matting. For more details on how to clean and maintain your turf, check out this page. 

How quickly does turf drain?

All our turf products have great drainage ranging from 53-1,219.99 inches per hour.

Read more about artificial turf drainage in this post.

Can I get samples of your product?

Yes, we offer 1′ x 1′ samples of our turf. You can stop by one of our store locations to pick up free samples, or we can mail you samples for a $15 fee.

What is the life expectancy of your artificial grass products?

20 – 25 years under normal usage.

What is your warranty?

All our artificial lawns have an 18-year residential warranty and a 10-year commercial warranty against UV and turf defects. (Limitations apply)

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A Certificate of Warranty is available upon request.

Can you help me with the layout design?

Yes! We can assist with your layout design for any size project.

What is infill?

Infill is a sand-like material used to weigh down the turf and help with keeping the blades stand up right. You can learn more about it here.

Does artificial turf fade?

Not our products! Our synthetic grass has UV resistance built in. Our synthetic grass is UV resistant; it stays green for as long as 20 to 25 years.

Does turf get hot?

In direct sunlight or warmer days, turf will rise in temperature just like concrete patios, decks, and natural grass. We carry turf products designed to stay cooler as well as infill options that can help cool your turf. Please contact us for more information.

Watersavers Turf Product Questions

What is your turf made of?

Our backing consists of layers of polyurethane (PU) and glue. The majority of products on today’s market are made with PU backing, as it is theoretically more advanced. PU is a chemical based glue so it doesn’t react to moistures. However, PU will react more to temperature changes, and it can shrink/expand.

Our blades are made of polyethylene (PE) – or plastic. It is soft and durable, as well as being nonporous and easy to clean.

Our thatch is made of polypropylene (PP) – another form of plastic which is harder and more durable. It is nonporous and easy to clean.

Where is your turf made?

Our turf materials are sourced from multiple companies overseas and manufactured in China. Our American Made products are assembled in the USA.

What color turf do you carry?

We carry a variety of green colors and blends: emerald green, olive green, field green, lime green, pomelo olive bi-color, and beige. Our thatch is brown/green or just green.

We also carry black, blue, terra cotta, and white turf.

Are there different types of turf blades?

There are the standard blades and engineered blades which have added benefits. All engineered blades are designed to stand up perfectly on their own, as the blades are thicker. Infills are still recommended to weigh down the turf, but are not necessary to hold up the blades. Some examples are:

  • C Blade = Has a high wear tolerance and an ideal durability to withstand heavy-traffic areas. This blade allows a perfect “stand on” look most synthetic turf fails to achieve. As a part of our performance series, C-shaped blades allows grass to stand up straighter under significant pressure.
  • S Blade = There is no shine. While flat blades reflect the entire spectrum of light making grass appear white, the S-shape helps to diffuse reflectance, texture and color.
  • Stemgrass Blade = The blades are wider than diamond or flat blades, making it one of most popular blade designs for its realistic look and feel. This blade design is recommended for residential and commercial lawns with medium traffic.
  • U Blade = Blades stand upright under pressure, making it perfect for high traffic areas. Soft to touch, reliable and durable. Great for commercial landscaping primarily due to its high wear and tear tolerance.
  • W Blade = Comes with Cool Max Technology. The blade is designed to reflect sunlight and retain moisture, which keeps it 15 – 20 degrees cooler than other turfs.
  • Double W Blade = The three veins of the blades create a realistic look – to such a degree that the human eye cannot see the difference between a natural and artificial lawn. The wavy surface of each blade diffuses sunlight, which both reduces the possibility of an unnatural, plastic appearance AND carries away more heat energy which prevents lawns from overheating. Durability is another advantage – it is highly durable under constant pressure, which makes it great for high-traffic areas.

Is your turf recyclable?

Yes! It is made of plastic, with small parts of glue.

Is your turf flammable?

No, our turf is NOT flammable. You can however melt turf if you are not careful. Read about how to avoid turf burn on this post.

What are the different types of infill materials?

Watersavers Turf offers:

  • Silica Sand: Silica sand is the most economical way of infill. This product is a natural infill that is non-toxic, and it can be used in conjunction with many other infills on the market.
  • ZeoFill: Organic, natural, and environmentally safe infill. ZeoFill is designed to eliminate odors from pets. It traps and controls odors and quickly absorbs moisture.
  • Wonderfill: Kiln dried sand, coated with Arch Biocide (an anti-bacterial) and green in color. It is an environmentally friendly, premium infill material, and is less abrasive than natural sand.

Learn more about artificial grass infill here. 

What size does the tape come in?

The Standard Seaming Tape comes 6” wide x 50′ long with adhesive that is best for low traffic areas.

The Mapei Ultrabond Seaming Tape comes 1’ wide and we can cut it to any length you need!

How long does it take for a seam and seaming glue to dry?

Seam: With our products, the glue sets after 2 hours. But we recommend waiting 4 hours before stretching. You can carpet kick / stretch the turf after 4 hours, but start a few feet away from the seam to ensure there is no puckering. (NOTE: other glue products take 24 – 48 hours to dry.)

Seaming Glue: It takes 24 hours to dry. Even with the nails in place to secure the seam, you want to give it the 24 hours to dry before carpet kicking it / stretching it. Otherwise it will pucker at the seam in between the nails.

What size bender board do you carry?

  • Metal: Its 16′ long and comes in 3 thicknesses: 1/8″, 3/16″, and 1/4″. It includes the stakes.
  • Plastic: It comes in four sizes and colors: 1″x4″x20′, 1″x6″x20′, 2″x4″x20′, and 2″x6″x20′, in Redwood, Teak, Black, and Sand. Epic Plastics pre-drilled stakes are sold separately.

What size gopher wire do you carry?

All gopher wire is 1/2″ square, but we carry it in two sizes:

  • 4ft x 100ft
  • 6ft x 100ft

What size weed fabric do you carry?

We carry weed fabric in these sizes:

  • 3ft x 50ft
  • 4ft x 250ft
  • 6ft x 250ft
  • 12ft x 250ft

How many nails are in a box?

For our 5” turf nails, there are approx. 500 nails in a box (50 lb box).

For our 6” spiral shank turf nails, there are approx. 600 nails in a box (50 lb box).

For our 3” finishing nails, there are 113 nails in a box (1 lb box).

Installation Tips & Tricks

How much infill should I use?

One 50lb bag will cover 35-50 square feet. You want to use 1lb – 1.5lbs of infill per square foot.

For putting turf installations, we recommend using 2lbs per square foot. (One 50lbs bag will cover 25 sq ft)

What is the best direction to install turf in?

  1. You need to ensure the stitching on the back matches up along the LENGTH (not along the width of the Turf).
  2. You also need to be aware of what direction you face the BLADES in. We recommend:
    1. Front Yard = Face towards the street (unless homeowner wants otherwise)
    2. Back Yard = Face towards the house

Check out our artificial turf installation guide for more information. 

What is the best way to stretch the turf?

You want to stretch the seam from the inside, working your way out. Seam together starting on the inside, and carpet kick the seam out to the edges / bender board. This will allow for a smoother application.

How do I create proper drainage?

The area cannot be flat. When creating the base, be sure to create a slight grade for drainage.

What is the best way to compact the base rocks?

The best way is to use a compactor machine (we do not sell). However, another option is to use a long roller, which we do carry.

How smooth does the decomposed granite surface need to be?

As smooth as possible! Otherwise your turf will not lay flat. You do not want to rush this layer.

Do you recommend gopher wire and/or weed barrier?

Yes! A gopher cannot get through the turf, but they can create tunnels, making the turf uneven. As for weeds, they can grow through the turf. So, you definitely want to help reduce that with weed fabric.

Do not install turf around windows!

If you install artificial turf near windows (even up to 20 feet away), the turf will burn and the warranty is void. To prevent this from happening, the windows need to have a protective film coating or screens need to be installed.

Do not install turf in cold weather!

You need sun in order to install turf. You want to lay out the turf in the sun 1 – 2 hours before installation (backing up) so it is stretched and flexible, making it easier to work with.