synthetic grass?

[Steve]

Kurt had wrote in another post Originally Posted by [b Quote[/b] ]I'm also looking into adding installation of synthetic grass to the list of services. I think it could be a big hit with banks and other commercial accounts that have small amounts of grass. I'm looking into different suppliers right now for that and will be selling it when mowing slows up. Has anyone else ever done this? How did it work out? Kurt, any new updates on doing this?

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I am personally 100% against synthetic grass. The only time I am far it is if someone wants to put in a putting golf green at their house

[Steve]

Have you seen the synthetic turf being used at all in your area either on residential or commercial properties?

[kc2006]

Why are you against it Troy?

The sample I was sent looked pretty good, and supposidly their new "formula" looks even better. Would I install it at my home? No. One the cost is insane on it, at $2-$3 per sq foot my cost and anywhere from $7-$19 per sq ft installed. Second it just doesnt look good enough for me to put my whole yard in it. The small strips of grass at banks, plaza's and other small commercial area's though I think it would look good. And the fact that they are normally charged anywhere from $30 and up for less then 2000 sq ft of turf means it would be very cost effective for them to switch.

Most guys hate synthetic grass because they feel if you sell the customers on it then your done. But the key is to sell it to the customers and then upsell the customers on other work. Landscape maintenance, cleanups, landscape work, hardscapes, etc.

My personal opinion on the fake grass is that it is not providing anything back to the environment (oxygen), it can not act as a filtration device because nothing can get absorbed and water will just run off causing possible flooding or contaimination concerns, and having real grass actually lowers the temperature in the area compared to synthetic grass.

Those are really my only main concerns about it.

[kc2006]

Very good point Troy. But with the small islands near banks and plaza's the soil temps are already very high due to all the cement/blacktop around them and the area's on average are 10x10 or 15x15 foot spots.

I wouldn't even be trying to market the service to residential, I don't think it would sell good for the reasons I posted and the reasons you posted as well. But for commercial, there are benefits. If you want to talk about environmental, the irrigation systems these commercial places install just to keep the turf alive in the hot environments are a big waste. Synthetic turf would conserve on water usage.

Not trying to convince you it's better or anything, just stating facts and making conversation

Nothing wrong with having a good conversation. Yes, I can see some benefits with using the fake green. Such as decrease in irrigation, and possible decrease in emissions released because no equipment is being used.