Thatch is an important term to understand if you are thinking about installing artificial grass. But what is thatch in artificial turf? And why is thatch so important for homeowners who want their synthetic lawn to appear realistic?
Thatch is a textured yarn located in the root zone of synthetic turf, which is the bottom layer underneath the infill layer. Thatch is commonly used for residential landscaping by Colorado homeowners who want their synthetic turf to have a more natural look and feel. In fact, thatch can help synthetic turf blend into the landscape so that artificial grass doesn’t stand out from the surrounding natural grass.
Keep reading this blog to learn more about thatch and why it is so important for artificial lawns.
Definition of “Thatch” in Artificial Grass
Thatch is a layer of textured yarn that is situated below the blades of grass on the surface and above the backing that holds the blades in place.
What Is Thatch Made of?
In a traditional, natural lawn, thatch is made up of organic material like dead leaves, dry grass, and other debris. This material accumulates on the surface, and it can actually damage the lawn if there is too much of it. That’s why some natural lawns may need to be dethatched from time to time.
In the context of a synthetic lawn, thatch refers to a layer of textured yarn that is meant to mimic the organic matter found in natural lawns. Thatch is composed of a heavier turf material, which typically results in a greater face weight for the artificial grass.
Thatch Has Different Colors
Thatch typically comes in different colors like yellow, tan, and brown that differ from the perfectly green blades on the surface. This gives the artificial grass an overall realistic look because all the blades are not identical in shape, size, and color.
Thatch Has Shorter Blades
Thatch yarn is usually shorter and curlier than the primary blades of artificial grass. This allows the synthetic grass to look more realistic.
Thatch is especially useful when blended with artificial grasses that have taller pile heights. That’s because the shorter blades of thatch are able to prop up the taller plastic blades on the surface, which tend to get matted down in heavy foot traffic areas. This greatly enhances the visual appeal of the artificial grass.
Artificial Grass Looks More Realistic with Thatch
When you think about your ideal lawn, what does it look like? How authentic and “real” do you want the artificial grass to appear?
Most artificial grasses use just one type of yarn, which results in the grass having a uniform pile height. Additionally, all the blades of the grass have just one color. By contrast, thatch gives artificial grass a more realistic look that recalls the different-colored blades of grass found in real lawns. Thatch may even have a brown or tan color, further enhancing the naturalistic look of the synthetic turf.
The key to manufacturing and installing a high-quality artificial lawn that uses thatch is to strike the right balance: the grass should look like a natural lawn with some thatch, but not so much thatch that the lawn appears unhealthy.
What Are the Benefits of Installing an Artificial Lawn with Thatch?
In addition to giving your artificial lawn a more natural look, thatch can also provide extra stability because the secondary layer of yarn provides additional cushioning. This allows the synthetic grass to withstand more wear and tear. It also makes thatch perfect for artificial grass used in backyards, golf putting greens, and indoor sports facilities.
Another advantage of thatch is that it requires little to no maintenance. Unlike a natural lawn, synthetic turf with thatch does not need water or repairs to dethatch. This makes it ideal for busy Colorado homeowners who do not want the hassle of constantly watering grass during the summer months.
Contact the Colorado Artificial Turf Experts at Artificial Grasscapes
The artificial turf experts at Artificial Grasscapes of Castle Rock are prepared to answer all your questions and meet all your artificial grass installation needs. Call 720-425-6437 or fill out the online contact form below.