How to choose artificial turf

Turf quotes list numbers that mean nothing to most people. Here is what each one does, so you can compare two bids on something other than price.

1. Pile height

The length of the blades, measured from backing to tip.

• Under 1 inch — putting greens and sports surfaces. Too short for a lawn; looks like carpet.
• 1.25–1.5 inches — pet areas and high-traffic. Short enough to stay upright and rinse clean.
• 1.5–1.75 inches — the sweet spot for residential lawns.
• Over 2 inches — looks luxurious in a showroom and lies flat within a year in a real yard. Generally avoid.

2. Face weight

Ounces of fibre per square yard, excluding backing. More fibre means denser, more durable turf.

• Under 50 oz — budget. Fine for a rarely used side yard, thin anywhere else.
• 60–80 oz — the practical range for residential lawns.
• 80–100+ oz — premium and commercial. Worth it for front yards and heavy use.

Watch for quotes citing total weight instead of face weight. Total weight includes backing and inflates the figure.

3. Blade shape

Cross-section geometry determines whether blades stand up over time.

• Flat — cheapest, mats fastest, shines unnaturally in sun.
• S-blade — good resilience, natural appearance.
• W-blade — excellent memory, resists matting well, our usual recommendation for lawns.
• Diamond or C-blade — very stiff, common in pet and sports turf.

4. Backing

Standard backing is hole-punched at intervals. Fully permeable backing drains across the entire surface at several times the rate, and it is what pet areas require. For a standard lawn on well-drained base, hole-punched is adequate.

5. Colour and thatch

Realistic turf uses at least two green tones plus a tan or brown thatch layer at the base. Single-tone turf is the fastest way to a lawn that reads fake from the street. Ask to see samples outdoors, in daylight, not under showroom lighting.

Warranty

Manufacturer warranties usually run 8 to 15 years against UV degradation and fibre loss. Read what is actually covered — most exclude damage from heat reflection, chemicals and improper installation. A warranty is only as good as the installer still being in business, which is worth weighing.

What we bring to an estimate

Physical samples of the grades that suit your use, so you can see them in your own light against your own house. Specification sheets are a poor substitute for putting your hand on it.