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  • Learn how to prevent artificial grass melting.

    Artificial Grass Melting Prevention

    What You Should Know

Home > About > What You Should Know About Artificial Grass Melting

What You Should Know About Artificial Grass Melting

If you are worried about your synthetic turf melting, you have come to the right page. Many items on your property reflect heat when sunlight strikes them, which can sometimes results in artificial grass melting. Our artificial grass is protected by a UV-resistant coating and is UV and fire risk tested before being sold. Even though our turf is not flammable, it can still melt. Keep reading to learn what you can do to keep your artificial turf from melting.

Causes of Synthetic Turf Damage

Faux grass is more durable than live grass. That doesn’t mean synthetic turf damage never occurs. Radiant heat is often to blame. It causes synthetic turf damage by melting its fibers. By adding UV protection to the yarn, it limits the effects to a degree. Our turf should maintain its color for 20 to 25 years with proper care. That said, high temperatures can still result in synthetic turf damage. Here are some common risk factors to be aware of:

Windows

  • Windows have become more energy-efficient in recent years. Thanks to products like “LOW-E” glass, manufacturers can add glazes that only allow sunlight in. These glazes reflect radiant and solar heat back. This could be a problem if you have an artificial grass lawn. The reflected heat from the window can raise the surface temperature to 175F or higher. Your turf may start to melt at this temperature. Even nearby tall buildings can harm your turf, because they tend to reflect a lot of heat. A good rule of thumb is to install turf 20 feet away from windows. Remember to keep in mind the distance to your neighbors’ windows too.

UV Rays

  • UV rays won’t impact the color of your turf if it’s been tested for UV-resistance. However, that doesn’t mean that UV rays can’t create enough heat to melt the fibers. They may still cause your artificial turf to melt if reflected off the right surface.

Open Flames and Outdoor Fire Pits

  • Don’t forget that open flames can harm your turf. If you are planning on doing outdoor cooking with an outdoor fire pit, try to do so away from your faux grass. Also, be careful with lit cigarettes or cigars. Luckily, our turf is not flammable, but it can melt.

Reflective Surfaces Can Result in Your Artificial Grass Melting

    • Barbecues and Metal Surfaces

      • Barbecues often have polished surfaces. This means they also reflect sunlight. That’s why you should keep your barbecue covered when not in use. In addition, metal surfaces such as metal sheds and doors may also reflect enough heat to damage your lawn. Install a wooden shed instead of a metal one.
    • Decorative Mirrors and Shiny Toys

      • Decorative mirrors look nice, but they’re not ideal for fake turf lawns. A decorative mirror could reflect enough heat to damage your turf. Also, it’s a good idea to store all shiny toys inside after using them to prevent artificial grass melting.
    • Vinyl Fencing

      • Vinyl fencing is a reflective surface. Sunlight can bounce off of the surface and burn the turf.

The Essentials of Turf Burn Prevention

There are steps you can take to prevent damage. Turf burn prevention isn’t difficult. You just need to limit your lawn’s exposure to high heat. For the best results, our turf burn prevention pros offer these key tips:

Make Lists, Map Out Your Lawn, and Test

  • Make a list of risk factors before you install new turf. Mark down the location of all reflective surfaces on your property. You should also take note of any reflective surfaces on neighboring properties. Remove any items that may cause an issue. For instance, a polished grill can be covered or placed in storage. A metal door could be swapped out for a wooden one. These are simple steps to avoid artificial turf melting.
  • Map out all the spots on your lawn where radiant heat may strike. Place a thermometer in those spots during the hottest time of day. Faux grass typically starts to melt when temperatures reach 175F to 200F. Take protective measures if your thermometer indicates temperatures higher than 150F.
  • If you haven’t installed your turf yet, leave a few small pieces of it in the areas where you’re concerned about radiant heat. Assess the damage after the week. This will help you determine if you should adjust the landscape or purchase protective coverings.

Beware of Windows, Reflective Objects, and Open Flames

  • Window screens are a great solution to install over your glass windows. Window screens are much more efficient than reflective films and are less costly than replacing your windows.
  • Set aside storage areas for any reflective items you may use outdoors (e.g., toys, glass tables, etc.)  Keep them in storage when you’re not using them, and consider keeping them indoors on very hot or sunny days.
  • Make sure that every member of your household knows not to smoke or work with open flames near the lawn. The same goes for guests who visit.

Protecting Artificial Turf from Other Risk Factors

Again, there are some factors you have little control over. You can’t force your neighbors to tint their own windows. You can’t remove a nearby high-rise. But you can adjust the landscape design to keep your artificial turf in good shape. Adding some hedges or trees to the border of your lawn could limit your turf’s exposure to radiant heat. The right fencing can have the same effect. A shed or gazebo will also block the reflected heat if installed in the right place.

At Watersavers Turf, we want you to enjoy our products for decades. We’re happy to offer tips to help extend the lifespan of our turf. Chat with us online for more info, call us at 844-974-8873, or visit one of our convenient locations. Don’t forget to ask about our free 1’ x 1’ turf samples.

To learn more about caring for your turf, read our blogs. They’ll help you better understand how to keep your turf in the best shape possible for years.