Short answer: artificial landscape grass is UV-stabilised synthetic turf with a 25-51 mm pile, built for gardens, courtyards, rooftops and commercial green space. It replaces natural lawn without watering, mowing or fertiliser, keeps its colour through every season, and is installed in rolls up to 15 ft (4.57 m) wide over a compacted base.
What artificial landscape grass actually is
Artificial landscape grass – also sold as landscape turf, synthetic lawn or fake grass – is a tufted carpet of polyethylene or polypropylene fibres punched into a PU or SBR backing. Three variables decide how it looks and how long it survives outdoors: pile height, face weight (measured in Dtex or ounces) and yarn profile. Colour fastness is a fourth, and it is the one buyers forget, because cheap fibre fades to grey within two summers while a UV-stabilised yarn holds its green.
A residential specification usually lands between 25 mm and 40 mm. Hotel gardens, showrooms and public plazas more often use 40 mm to 51 mm, because a taller and denser pile looks plusher and hides small imperfections in the base. None of these numbers is automatically “better” – the right pile height is the one that matches the traffic and the budget of the project.
Why specifiers switch to artificial landscape grass
- No irrigation schedule. A natural lawn drinks hundreds of litres per square metre each season; synthetic turf needs none. The US EPA recommends water-wise planting for exactly this reason – see EPA WaterSense guidance on water-efficient landscaping.
- All-year colour. No yellowing in heat, no bald patches after winter, no reseeding in spring.
- Permeable backing. Rain passes through the perforated backing instead of pooling, provided the sub-base is compacted and sloped away from buildings.
- Wear resistance. Foot traffic, furniture and light vehicle access do not scalp landscape turf the way they destroy natural grass in shaded corridors.
- Predictable cost. Maintenance drops to occasional brushing and rinsing, so landscaping budgets stop moving with labour and water prices.
- Design freedom. Rooftops, balconies, slopes, tree shade and basement courtyards can all be greened where real grass cannot survive.
Pile height, density and yarn: how to choose artificial landscape grass
| Pile height | Where it works best | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mm | Balconies, terraces, rooftop decks, indoor green walls | Light roll weight, UV-stabilised fibre, dense enough to avoid show-through |
| 30-35 mm | Family gardens, patios, community green belts | Face weight above 30 OZ, 3/8 inch gauge, PU or SBR backing |
| 35-40 mm | Busy yards, kindergartens, pet runs | Higher Dtex, strong seam strength, drainage holes |
| 45-50 mm | Luxury gardens, hotel and commercial courtyards | Dense stitch rate, soft memory yarn that springs back after use |
| 51 mm | Premium landscape and hospitality projects | Consistent tufting, colour stability, roll width to reduce seams |
Yarn profile changes the look as much as the pile height. A C-shaped monofilament gives a crisp, upright lawn; W-shaped and diamond yarns add volume and a softer feel underfoot; fibrillated tape yarns deliver a dense, economical surface for large areas. Our artificial grass yarn technology guide breaks down every profile and its best application.
What artificial landscape grass costs
Four factors move the price of artificial landscape grass: pile height, face weight, backing construction and the width of the roll. A 30 mm entry-level roll can cost less than half of a 50 mm dense specification for the same area, so the cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest project. Freight is the second line item – ordering full roll widths of 15 ft cuts waste and shipping volume, while odd widths create off-cuts you pay for twice.
- Material: pile height, Dtex/face weight and yarn type.
- Backing: PU backing resists moisture and keeps tufts locked in; SBR is lighter and lower cost.
- Roll width and length: custom lengths from the factory avoid joints in the middle of a lawn.
- Base works: excavation, compaction, weed membrane and edging are usually 20-40% of total project cost.
- Logistics: LCL shipping lets a 500 m2 order travel without filling a container.
Installation: what happens on site
- Mark the area and remove 30-50 mm of topsoil, then compact the ground.
- Add and compact a crushed-stone or sand base, keeping a 1-2% fall for drainage.
- Roll out the turf and let it relax for a few hours so creases disappear.
- Cut seams along the pile direction and join them with seaming tape and adhesive.
- Fix the perimeter with U-shaped nails or an aluminium edge, then brush the pile upright.
- Water lightly and brush again – a first brushing lifts the fibres so the lawn reads as full from the start.
Maintenance: minutes per month, not weekends per year
- Weekly: blow or rake off leaves and twigs.
- Monthly: rinse the surface and brush the pile upright.
- Quarterly: check edges, nails and seams; top up any loose fixing.
- Annually: deep clean, verify drainage, and inspect shaded areas for moss or debris.
- After parties and BBQs: blot spills immediately and rinse with water and mild soap.
- In pet areas: flush the surface and use an enzymatic cleaner – see our pet grass range and note that no artificial turf with a clean, draining base will smell if it is flushed regularly.
Frequently asked questions about artificial landscape grass
Does artificial landscape grass get hot in direct sun?
Yes, surface temperature rises in full sun, as it does on paving and stone. Heat build-up depends on fibre colour, pile height and how much shade the area receives. Lighter colours, taller pile and a few planted borders all reduce it, and the surface cools quickly once the sun moves off.
Can it be installed on a roof, balcony or over concrete?
Yes, provided the structure carries the load of turf plus base and that drainage is designed first. On hard surfaces, a shock pad or drainage mat replaces the crushed-stone layer.
How long does an artificial landscape grass installation last?
Most residential landscapes stay visually acceptable for around eight to ten years, and commercial projects are usually planned on five to eight because traffic is heavier. UV-stabilised fibre, PU backing and a correctly compacted base are the three things that decide where you land in that range.
Is synthetic lawn safe for children and pets?
Quality landscape turf uses non-toxic polyethylene fibre and contains no pesticide or fertiliser cycle. Pile should be soft and free of hard burrs, edges must be fixed flush, and any infill should be dust-free silica or an organic alternative.
What happens to artificial grass at the end of its life?
Turf can be recycled where collection infrastructure exists: fibre, backing and infill are separated and reprocessed. Check local rules and the general EPA recycling guidance before disposal, and plan the replacement cycle with your supplier.
Where to buy artificial landscape grass
LFL Grass manufactures landscape turf in Yiwu, China, with pile heights from 25 mm to 51 mm, roll widths up to 15 ft, PU or SBR backing, and custom lengths cut to your layout. Minimum order quantity is 500 m2, and orders ship as LCL or full container depending on volume. If you are specifying a project, start with the landscape artificial grass collection, then compare two or three specifications directly – for example the 35 mm dense backyard turf against the 25 mm garden and balcony turf. Send your layout and traffic profile to dx@lflgrass.com and we will return a specification, a quote and a loading plan.
