by Faerl Marie Torres
synthetic lawns provide authentic beauty
WHETHER IN NEED of a backyard oasis for al fresco entertaining or wanting to add a jewel to the curb-appeal crown, grass is the traditional solution. But lawns can be controversial in the desert Southwest. On top of requiring intensive preparation and careful handling, natural grass lawns are expensive to install and require constant maintenance and water. A lot of water—up to a quarter inch per day in the warm season, which can add up to more than 100,000 gallons per year—for an average-sized lawn. With all that, an alternative might make more sense.
Like lab-grown emeralds, synthetic lawns are as beautiful as the real deal, and they are a high-endurance, authentically eco solution that isn’t solely comprised of rock and succulents. Savings abound when you eliminate swollen water bills, chemical fertilizers and treatments, in addition to time and energy spent maintaining a grass lawn. “You put it in and call it done,” says Chris Baca, owner of SYNLawn of New Mexico.
In addition to providing year-round beauty and a verdant view, synthetic lawns require no water, are zero-maintenance, durable and cost nothing after the initial installation. “With artificial turf, the maintenance is almost nil; it’s like a patio,” says Steve Forster of Southwest Greens of New Mexico. “You can’t put a value on time, and that’s really what you save.”
As an economic boost, most of Forster’s clients report a real return on their synthetic investment in three to five years. Baca believes the return makes it worth it. “Especially the Americanmade products that have a warranty,” he says. Yvonne Wilson, the owner of Always Green NM Synthetic Turf, says its product lasts fifteen to twenty years with normal wear.
Like other home improvement projects, synthetic lawns have options based on budget and needs. There are different levels with upgrades and premium features. “The other option is education,” Baca says. “You can pay a professional, or you can buy it and do it yourself.” Many companies sell direct to consumers and are happy to talk them through the installation process. “We want to make it accessible,” Wilson says.
Unlike the AstroTurf of decades past, modern synthetic grass is soft, lush and remarkably realistic, with options to tailor the lawn to your lifestyle. Southwest Greens of New Mexico replicates regional grasses with a special turf line designed for the Southwest, ensuring its product looks natural year-round. Artificial grass can be custom designed to suit your needs, including at-home putting greens or unique spaces for your pets.
The first artificial turf was developed more than fifty years ago; since then, the technology and expertise have helped develop unique, lifestyle-specific products, ensuring anyone can have a rich, green lawn regardless of drought.
Take the heat off bare feet:
There are many systems and options to reduce the surface temperature of synthetic lawns.
- Anti-reflective properties in upgraded blade threads reduce sun absorption and heat.
- Polymer-coated sand used as an infill can reduce the surface temperature up to 50 degrees with a simple once-daily watering. The sand holds the water and slowly releases it throughout the day, acting as an evaporative cooling system beneath your feet.
The nose knows: New developments in backing materials, antimicrobial infill and enzyme treatments are specifically designed for pet owners.
- New synthetic lawn backing materials allow liquids (such as urine) to pass directly through the lawn, preventing the build-up of odor.
- Antimicrobial-coated sand in the synthetic lawn base eliminates the urine bacteria.
- Environmentally friendly and biodegradable odor-eating treatments can be applied by professionals or homeowners.
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resources
Always Green NM Synthetic Turf
Southwest Greens of New Mexico
SYNLawn of New Mexico
