What to Look For — A General Guide to Choosing Artificial Grass in Sydney.

When you shop for artificial grass, what matters isn’t just price — it’s a mix of technical specs, intended usage, and long‑term performance. The “good quality” turf has a combination of features that make it look natural, feel comfortable, and hold up over time. The synthetic turf must fit your purpose and intended use

Some key Criteria…..

• Pile height & density

  • Pile height = length of the “grass blades.” For a natural, soft lawn‑look (good for residential lawns, gardens, hanging out barefoot), look for ~ 35 to 45 mm. Generally, for pets, the 25mm is more suitable because it is easier to clean. Soccer fields with boots require at least 60mm. The length of grass depends on your intended use and particular situation.

  • Density (how tightly the fibres are stitched) matters a lot — higher density makes turf look fuller, more realistic, and more durable under foot traffic. Besides it looks better. Less dense grass is easier to spot. Furthermore, when running fingers through pile it feels stringy and sparse.

• Material & UV resistance

  • Synthetic grasses are usually made from plastics like polyethylene or polypropylene (sometimes blends). Polyethylene is a quality material which gives the grass its soft feel. Polypropylene feels much more coarse and is usually placed at the bottom of the pile to keep the softer blades upright. synthetic turfs made entirely out of polypropylene should be avoided.

  • Because of strong sun (especially in Sydney), make sure the turf has UV stabilisation — so colour doesn’t fade and fibres don’t degrade too quickly. We have many customers who come to us just 6 months after purchasing cheap grass online that is not UV stabilised. The grass has become discoloured, the fibres are falling out and in extreme cases, the green colour of the lawn is transferring onto bare feet. We are CSIRO certified for UV stability and offer a 15 year warranty. The colour should remain in the grass for at least 20 years.

• Backing & drainage / water handling

  • Good backing means turf stays flat, stable, and doesn’t shift or tear. We double back all our grass ensuring a strong foundation that will last for many years.

  • Effective drainage is key if rainfall or wet weather happens — you don’t want puddles or pooling underneath, especially in front/back yards or patios. Flip the grass over to reveal how many drainage holes are manufactured into the grass. As a minimum drainage holes should be every 100mm across the width and length of grass.

• Realistic look & feel (colour mix, softness, comfort)

  • Artificial grass that mixes various shades (greens, maybe some more “natural” brown/thatched fibres) tends to look more like real grass rather than plastic. This part is really a case of “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. Some customers prefer dark green, some prefer light green. some even prefer a lime look, not for me.

  • For comfort (barefoot, kids, pets), look for softness and enough cushioning — rather than scratchy or plasticky feel. This goes back to material. The grass must be majority polyethylene.

• Intended use / traffic / function

  • Low‑traffic/ decorative areas → you can prioritise softness and appearance (longer pile, comfort). A 45mm pile would suit low traffic areas. A 45mm pile tends to flatten quicker in high traffic areas.

  • High‑traffic areas / kids or pets / frequent foot traffic → durability, density, and drainage become more important than plushness. Particularly for schools, child cares and commercial environments.

My Personal Take…

If I were  wanting a nice lawn that looks good year‑round without the hassle of mowing or watering — I’d aim for something like this:

“I want a lawn that looks good, feels soft underfoot (barefoot pun intended), stays nice under the Sydney sun, drains well when it rains, and doesn’t feel like plastic — but is tough enough for daily use.”

So, I’d narrow it down to turf that:

• Has pile height ~ 30–40 mm — so it feels lush and natural.

• Is dense (lots of fibers per area) — so it looks full and real, not sparse. Anything over 17000 stitches is ideal.

• Uses quality fibres (e.g. polyethylene), and has UV resistance — to survive sun, rain and seasons.

• Has good backing + drainage — so rain doesn’t pool, it stays stable, and avoids smell or mold.

• Looks** natural** (not bright neon-green) — with mixed tones, maybe some subtle “thatch”-style fibres to mimic real lawn.

• Is comfortable underfoot, especially if pets/kids are around, or bare feet walking on hot/sunny days.

• Is installed properly (flat, stable base, weed barrier, good drainage bedding) — not half‑done or poorly laid.

I’d probably spend a bit extra for a turf that meets all above — because I expect it to last years, and I want it to feel like a “real” lawn, not cheap fake plastic.

What to Avoid…

• Turf with very short pile (thin, sparse) — it may look cheap, feel rough, or look obviously fake.

• Cheap turf with low fibre density or weak backing — likely to flatten fast, degrade, or look worn down.

• Turf that doesn’t mention UV stabilisation — in Sydney’s sun, that’s a red flag. No UV-Stabilisation will break down the grass within 6 months.

• Turf with poor drainage or backing — after rain, you might get pooling, smell, or water logging.

• Buying only on price — cheapest isn’t always best. Quality turf gives better value long-term.

• Poor installation — no weed barrier, uneven base, no drainage, inadequate materials, corners lifting — that ruins the result.