Does Artificial Grass Get Hot? (And 5 Ways To Cool Down Artificial Grass)

If you are an owner of an artificial grass lawn, or you are just considering investing in this option, you may be curious about artificial turf and heat.

Artificial grass is very easy to maintain. It doesn’t require water, cutting, nor worry. This is why it’s loved by people who value aesthetics, and their time.

However, many people are concerned about how fake grass is going to behave while exposed to elevated outdoor temperatures.

Today, our team of artificial lawn experts will explain everything you need to know, and provide you with easy ways to cool down your artificial grass.

Does Fake Grass Get Hot?

The short answer is: Yes, artificial grass can get hot, especially in summer.

During sunny days, your lawn can get hotter than normal. But it’s important to put things into perspective.

Indeed, the grass can heat up a bit on hotter days, but your artificial lawn will never as hot as asphalt, brick walls, or concrete.

Quality artificial grass is engineered out of special polymers. The best ones are nylon and polypropylene, but cheaper brands might be made of polyester, acrylic, and mixed types of plastic.

Regardless, all of these materials have a very high melting point, ranging from 250 degrees Fahrenheit for polyester to 428 degrees Fahrenheit for nylon.

In other words, it is very unlikely for artificial grass to melt or burn in the sun.

The only way your artificial grass can get damaged under the sun is under glass magnification.

This happens when sunlight passes through glass windows, knobs, or doors, reflecting and magnifying the light. This can cause patches of your artificial grass to soften or dull.

(Don’t worry – We’re going to show you exactly how to avoid this later…)

After installing hundreds of lawns around the world, we’ve found that the biggest problem with artificial grass and heat boils down to the discomfort on your feet.

Everybody knows that walking barefoot on hot rocks, sand, or pavement can be very unpleasant or even impossible.

Real grass, on the other hand, provides a comfortable walk even on a hot day at the peak of the summer.

Fake grass is somewhere in the middle. But you can make it as pleasurable as a natural lawn by following the steps below and knowing how to cool it down.

Is Artificial Grass Too Hot for Dogs?

Artificial grass is very often a top choice for dog owners. There are many benefits to choosing an artificial lawn, include easy maintenance, and the guaranteed beauty of your yard for years to come.

One of the first concerns people have, however, is whether it is safe for your dog.

In short, artificial grass will never become too hot for dogs to the point that it burns or injures them.

A good quality artificial grass is designed to cool off quickly, with a thatch layer in between the grass blades to regulate temperature.

If you are living in a very hot climate, your entire lawn might be a bit unpleasant for your dog during a summer’s day.

But rest assured, the lawn will never reach a temperature that could burn or hurt your dog. In fact, it comes with many features that keep your dog safe and healthy.

Generally speaking, an artificial lawn doesn’t require chemicals such as fertilizer and pesticides commonly used to manage natural lawns.

You can also relax when it comes to fleas and ticks – Unlike real grass, they cannot survive for long in synthetic grass.

With an artificial lawn, you won’t have to worry about your dog digging a hole and ruining your perfect garden.

There is also no mud or grime left over after a rainy day, so you don’t have to clean up after your dog’s muddy paws.

How to Cool Down Artificial Grass (5 Easy Ways):

If you want to cool off your artificial lawn even more, don’t worry – We’re here to help!

Here are 5 simple steps you can take to ensure your artificial grass is fresh and cool all year round.

Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying your lawn no matter what season it is!

1) Use the Right Infill

Infill serves many purposes. It weighs down the grass, so you can enjoy the lawn without wrinkles or sags, and it also protects grass blades from flattening.

But more importantly, it is an important part of regulating the temperature within the grass blades.

Choosing the infill has a significant impact on your grass’s performance in heat, and its possibility to cool off.

The right infill will allow air to flow throughout the grass, cooling it down significantly, as well as making the grass feel softer as you walk through it.

Crumb rubber infill is still popular for sports fields lawns, but it can be considered an outdated choice for residential lawns.

As it’s made of old tires, it can release toxic elements. Moreover, it can easily get too hot, and cooling down can takes hours.

Instead, go with a modern, light-colored infill. Silica sand and durafill sand are both superior choices, designed with lighter colors so they don’t trap the heat from sun rays within your lawn.

2) Cool It Off with Water

Your artificial lawn will cool off rather quickly after a quick spray of water, even on a boiling hot day in the middle of summer.

There is no need for you to stand on your lawn with a garden hose for hours. A few minutes of sprinkling water across your yard is enough.

If you don’t want to bother with doing this, you can even install a sprinkler system that is going to water your lawn for you at a set time every day.

One thing is for sure: You are going to spend thousands of gallons of water less than you would have to keep a natural lawn lush and green.

3) Choose an Artificial Grass That Stays Cool

The easiest way to keep your lawn cool is simply to choose an artificial grass that stays cool. Here’s how to pick one:

Nowadays, there are plenty of artificial grass brands that are designed specifically to be resistant to heat and perform well in the hottest areas.

For example, special features like temperature controlled fibers and thatching can basically eliminate the risk of overheating your lawn.

An artificial lawn works the same way as the fibers in your clothes: The less dense the material, the more air can circulate through, giving a cooling effect.

Therefore, if you live in a hotter climate and are worried about the heat, choose an artificial grass that has a lower weight and density. A shorter pile height may also help keep the lawn cool.

Also, darker colors absorb more heat than light, and artificial grass is not an exception. The brighter the shade of your grass, the cooler your lawn is going to be.

4) Provide Shading To Your Artificial Lawn

A natural, easy, and work-free way to protect your lawn from heating up is providing a shadow.

If you have a yard with trees, it would be best not to get rid of them, but include them in your backyard design instead.

Another way to get a shadowed area is by installing canopies, awnings, or putting down some lawn furniture.

These will help you keep the heat down, and put an extra twist to your garden’s appearance.

5) Avoid Window Magnification

As we’ve mentioned above, window magnification can cause dulled and damaged patches in your artificial grass.

While it will not reach the melting point, the heat can cause permanent damage to the grass blades, causing them to curl up and lose its shape.

Look around your yard and check if there are some double-pane glass windows or doors facing your lawn.

Low-E glass is a common name for the energy-efficient doors and windows made from low emissivity glass.

This type of glass is designed to prevent heat from entering your household during hot days, and stops heat from escaping your home during winter days.

It does so by reflecting sun rays to isolate your home from external temperatures – This causes heat energy to add up on your artificial grass.

The easiest solution for this problem is to install a protective, anti-glare film in the windows or doors that are causing the issue. They are available both tinted or transparent, and will quickly prevent window magnification.

If the area where the grass is heated because of glass magnification is small, other solutions are available. You could install a canopy to shade the affected patch of grass, and protect it from excessive heat.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, concerns about heat shouldn’t put you off an artificial lawn. Even in areas with high temperatures and intense sun, modern day artificial grass is engineered to stay colorful and strong.

Yes, it can heat up more than natural grass. But as we’ve seen above, reducing its temperature and preventing overheating is simple.

On the contrary, there is a higher risk that natural grass is going to burn during very high temperatures. Moreover, it takes a lot of effort to keep natural grass green and healthy during heat waves.

With artificial grass, you don’t have to choose between the safety and the looks of your yard. It simply has it all!