While some extremely cheap turf may seem like a steal, in the long run it might not pay off to purchase dirt cheap turf. Know these tips and make sure you are not getting “ripped off”:
- Check the backing
Good synthetic turf has a durable secondary backing with holes for maximum drainage. Many companies when selling cheap turf stuff the turf with infill instead of giving it the appropriate secondary backing. This creates buildup of waste and debris that will not be absorbed through the turf thus generating an odor. - Yarn type
Be sure to look at the type of yarn your potential turf uses. This could mean the difference between a 5 or 15 year life.
* Slit film is a cheaper yarns that spreads apart easily thus as the years go by the yarn splits into very small pieces making it rough to walk on.
*Monofilament has two categories in it; shaped or spine. You will pay more for spine monofilament because it has a durable blade that will withstand constant use. - Warranties
Pro-rated warranties are generally much worse than standard warranties. Especially when buying cheap turf (where defects are more common) make sure you have a good warranty. - Backing weight
A good backing is made up of an approximately 6-8 ounce primary backing, and 20-22 ounces of secondary backing. If the total backing weight is 14 ounces you’re almost certainly going to be dealing with your turf falling apart after a few years or even sooner. - Total weight
Some companies list a total weight including backing and some don’t include the backing. Backing is often 26-28 ounces, so a 56 ounce product can have more face-weight than a ’70 ounce’ product if the second company includes the backing in their weight. - Factory seconds and it’s various names
Factory seconds are called factory seconds for a reason. If you’re looking for a long-term install you should avoid them. If you’re using it temporarily (IE conventions) they might make sense. Additionally many companies will call turf remnants, overruns, closeouts or other names to disguise the fact that the turf is factory seconds. Make sure that the warrenty matches the professed quality.
If you want to learn these in more check out the 100% free consumer buying guide provided as a consumer service by Perfect Turf.
If you are interested in cheap turf of quality go to BuyHomeTurf.com for artificial turf that’s better quality than the stuff found at Home Depot or Menards for the same or lower price.