One of the common misconceptions about artificial turf is that it can melt if it gets too hot out. While this is a logical question to ask due to the fact that synthetic grass is made out of plastic and plastic will melt in hot temperatures, we can assure you that the fake grass you put into your yard will not end up melting in the sunshine. The products are tested for quality with rigorous tests before ever being made available to the public for purchase, and artificial turf products made today are made from plastics that have a far higher melting point than you might expect. Most synthetic turfs have a melting point of around 175-200 degrees Fahrenheit. While there is very little as far as days in most areas where the sunlight can create these levels of temperature on ground coverings, there are some specific cases that can result in artificial turf melting. These cases involve what is known as “energy efficient low e-glass.” This is a type of glass that is constructed specifically to reflect the sun’s rays away from the window, and ultimately you may find that the positioning of a window at certain times of day can create a concentrated reflection beam that hits a specific area for extended periods of time. Think of it as the magnifying glass you had as a child and concentrated the sun onto leaves which heated up and caught fire. The concept is the same.
If you have areas of your yard where you have noticed that your existing grass dies or is overly dry, pay attention at different times of day to see if you are getting a reflection from your windows into that area. If you are, you will notice it to be quite hot if you put your hand on it, and if a temperature is taken you may notice it to be over 150 degrees. If there is a concentration of sunlight coming to this area during the different times of day, there is a possibility that standard synthetic could melt. In these cases we would need to discuss different options to combat the existing issue, either utilizing a different type of synthetic turf that can withstand higher temperatures up to 400 degrees (yes, this is obviously a more expensive product) or possibly placing some different kind of ground covering into these positions that can withstand high temperatures. Pavers and other solid surfaces will work well to solve the issue, but will not be able to be walked on in bare feet when they are hot. Ultimately we may just need to get more creative with the landscape design in order to compensate for these hot spots. If you have low e-glass installed at a later time, there is a possibility that a new hot spot could be created that was not there before with the standard windows. In these cases we may need to revisit your landscaping job and reconfigure some elements to compensate for the new situation. No matter what, we have a solution that will work for you!
