Tired of trying to keep your natural lawn alive under the unforgiving California sun? Want a green space that stays vibrant all year round? Artificial grass may be your answer, but you might be asking: Doesn’t the sun fade things? Won’t my artificial lawn become a bleached-out eyesore? The answer is no, as long as you choose the right type of artificial grass for residential homes in Tracy.
Understanding UV Rays and Their Impact
UV rays, or ultraviolet rays, are a part of sunlight that’s not visible to the human eye. They have the power to break down chemical bonds, which is why they can cause fading and damage in many materials – from fabric and plastic and even with natural grass.
Why Does Natural Grass Turn Yellow or Brown?
The yellowing of real grass due to UV rays is primarily caused by the breakdown of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for the green color.
• Chlorophyll is a complex molecule within grass blades that captures sunlight and uses its energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars (photosynthesis).
• This process is crucial for the grass’s survival and growth.
• While UV rays are essential for some plant processes, excessive exposure can damage chlorophyll molecules.
• This damage disrupts photosynthesis and hinders the plant’s ability to produce new chlorophyll.
• As existing chlorophyll breaks down faster than the grass can replace it under intense UV radiation, the green pigment diminishes.
• This reveals the underlying yellow pigments naturally present in the grass blades, causing the overall color to shift towards yellow and eventually, brown as the grass dies.
Aside from UV damage, real grass can fade due other reasons like nutrient deficiencies, fungal attacks, fertilizer burn, damage from foot traffic, pet urine, and poor maintenance practices (e.g., over/under watering). Real grass is incredibly vulnerable to fading and yellowing. It can take a serious amount of time, effort, and resources to fight the effects of UV and sun exposure.
So, How Does Artificial Grass Stay Green Under the Sun?
Just because something is synthetic, doesn’t make it automatically immune to UV damage. In fact, sun damage is common in plastics, leading to discoloration, brittleness, and cracking in outdoor furniture, toys, and car parts. It also happens to rubber components, causing them to dry out, crack, and lose their flexibility over time. The secret to artificial grass’s resistance to the sun lies in special ingredients and other elements of the manufacturing process.
- UV Stabilizers
Think of UV stabilizers like sunscreen for artificial grass in Tracy. During the manufacturing process, these special chemicals are mixed into the plastic used to create those vibrant green blades. These stabilizers absorb and neutralize harmful UV rays, preventing them from breaking down the material and causing discoloration.
- Advanced Synthetic Materials
The type of plastic used for artificial grass is also important. Materials like polyethylene and polypropylene are naturally more resilient to UV damage than others. High-quality artificial grass will use the best materials for long-lasting color.
- UV-Protected Backing
The backing of your artificial grass also needs to be UV resistant. This is the layer underneath that provides structure and allows for drainage. A good backing will be reinforced with UV protection to prevent it from becoming brittle and fail to support the artificial grass fibers.
Does This Mean Artificial Grass Is Invincible?
While modern artificial grass is incredibly tough, it’s not entirely immune to the sun. Over a very long time, some fading may occur, but a topnotch product should maintain its vibrant color for many years– even decades. For instance, our artificial grass comes with extensive, multi-year warranties against fading to give you extra peace of mind.
Learn More
Not all artificial grass is created equal when it comes to battling sunlight. When choosing a product for your home, make sure it undergoes rigorous UV testing and has a solid fade warranty. Got more questions about UV protection and other features of artificial grass? Want a quote for residential artificial grass services? Call 408-723-4954 or message us today for a free consultation.
