These days, more and more people are making the switch to artificial grass, or astroturf. There are plenty of reasons for this, including the fact that it can save homeowners a great deal of money on water and countless hours on mowing, weeding, and other maintenance. It’s also extremely durable. Unlike natural grass, astroturf won’t end up being bleached by the sun or turn brown in the shade. Artificial lawns are well worth the time and effort, but finding the right company to install them for you necessitates a little research. There are five questions you should always ask when hiring for astroturf installation, which we’ll discuss below.
What Options Are Available?
One of the primary draws of artificial grass is its versatility. It’s used for far more than just front lawns. It can be used to beautify outdoor entertaining areas or to make walkways appear more colorful and inviting. It can be utilized in pet play areas or around children’s playgrounds. People even apply artificial turf in order to create their own home putting courses.
You’ll want to consider these options as well as ask the company you’re considering hiring what materials they use. Which material is best depends upon your needs and budget. For example, many artificial laws are made from nylon, due to its ability to withstand extreme temperatures. Nylon, however, is also somewhat expensive. That’s why other homeowners prefer to opt for polyethylene, due to its aesthetic appeal and the fact that, unlike certain other options, it doesn’t retain odors. Polypropylene is another popular option, as it’s the least expensive. However, it is also the least durable option for artificial turf.
How Will the Installation Be Performed?
The installations process can vary depending on which contractor you choose to hire. You should ask your contractor what surfaces they prepare before installing the material. Not all of them will have the same answer. Can the astroturf installation be performed on concrete? Is it done directly over soil? Will your contractor place a layer of protective sand before beginning the installation process? Ask these questions, as well as others, before hiring your contractor.
You’ll also want to ask the same basic questions you might ask of any contractor before beginning an installation process. How long will the job take? Will you be updated as the job progresses? Will the process be invasive, or will you be able to continue with your daily activities while the job is underway? The more information you can accrue, the better.
What Infill Will Be Used?
One extremely important question to ask of your contractor is about the infill they will be using. Infill is the material that is placed in between the blades of synthetic grass. It’s different from the material that is used to make the astroturf itself. It serves several purposes, with the primary one to keep the artificial grass looking like grass. That means that it helps to keep each blade upright, as well as to protect the backing that is underneath the astroturf.
Infill also helps with impact absorption, which is particularly important if there will be children and pets playing on your lawn. Finally, it helps to provide drainage. Since artificial turf doesn’t absorb water in the same way that natural grass does, it’s important to opt for an infill that can provide good drainage.
There are several popular materials used for infill. For example, zeolite is a non-toxic mineral that can be used for this purpose. One of the primary benefits of zeolite is that it can absorb odors. Acrylic coated sand is also often used because it can be treated with antimicrobial agents. This will help prevent disease from being spread between people and animals who are playing on and around the yard. Crumb rubber and silica sand are also popular materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
What Kind Of Experience Will Your Contractor Have?
Before you make any hiring decisions, take some time to speak with the contractor you are considering and ask them any questions you consider pertinent. Ask about their experience. Have they been in the business for at least a few years, or are they new to the industry? What other experience do they have? Look for a company like Sportech, which is made up of workers experienced in various aspects of construction. Ask how many projects they’ve performed in their time on the job. What other services does their company provide? Do they primarily work with residential property or commercial, or both?
You can also ask if your contractor has a portfolio of their work. Have they performed enough jobs to have before and after pictures they can show you? What guarantees do they offer to ensure their work lasts for years to come? What kind of insurance does their company carry, and what safety steps do they take to protect their workers? All of these questions are extremely important to get answers to before you make any commitments to any particular contractor.
What Will Your Astroturf Installation Cost?
It’s equally important to get an idea of what the cost of the project will be, as well as where, exactly, your money is going. You will want to discuss the cost breakdown with your prospective contractor so you can get an idea of if you are being overcharged or not. It’s also important to ask for a written quote, complete with an itemized list of everything that your contractor will do. This will help ensure you’re getting your money’s worth as well as that you aren’t overcharged. A less-than-reputable contractor will try to cut corners and therefore might be hesitant to provide you with a breakdown of the job. On the other hand, a quality professional contractor will be happy to discuss the terms of the job with you.
