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Some like artificial lawns (con't)
One is that homeowners don’t have to water their lawns, saving water and money.Another is that the synthetic turf is made from recyclables. “It’s actually made from recycled plastic,” she said. Some people may think artificial grass looks phony. But Loch said that advances have been made and there are more grass styles – and even blends – from which to choose. “Most people can’t tell the difference” from natural grass, she said. One blend uses three colour tones. “We probably do 80 per cent of our backyards in this because it’s so much like our natural grass in southern Ontario.” Loch said in the southwest US – with high UV penetration – artificial lawns will last about 10 years. But in our part of the world – with snow cover in winter as protection - 15 years ”would be the average lifespan.” How much does the product cost? Loch said it depends on how big the yard is. Self-installed it costs between $4.50 and $8 per square foot; between $12 and $16 if her firm installs it. Homeowners should check their local municipalities to make sure they’re allowed to install it. Loch said in Burlington it’s only allowed in back yards. Grass types include traditional bluegrass, long blade fescue, winter rye, short Bermuda, or centipede. There have been health concerns about artificial turf’s lead content. But Southwest Greens has no lead in their products. Windsorites are probably most familiar with the artificial turf the city has used on some of its road medians. City parks director Don Sadler says the city likes “the low maintenance and year round look of artificial turf but especially that it allows rain water to soak through it and in to the soil below, versus concrete that water runs off and directly in to the storm system.” But Jay Terryberry, horticultural teacher at St. Clair College, questioned the environmental impact. He said “it is better than it used to be” but is “expensive, doesn’t wear that well, fades after a few seasons, creates more water runoff (and is) difficult to maintain.” He also says it heats up. “Go down to the University of Windsor football field and stand there for about 15 minutes.” Terryberry said a better combination is synthetic and natural turf. Southwest Greens says its lawns meet government safety standards and artificial turf has been increasingly installed in playgrounds and around daycare centres and “have been proven safer for kids” than natural grass. WindsorOntarioNews.com
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