So you recently got artificial turf or your planning on getting artificial but you were told it might melt! Or worse, your turf is melting after installation.

Your not alone, tens of thousands of homeowners are experiencing this issue. In fact, it's more common now than ever.

There is a solution to this problem, and we're going to tell you how you can address this problem before it happens to you, and/or resolve it for good.

First, we have to understand what artificial turf is made of

This first generation of synthetic turf was mostly a short pile cluster of polyester dyed to look like grass. Design changes of artificial turf have resulted in a greater variety of plastic turf types and performance.

Turf fibers are typically made from nylon, polypropylene, or polyethylene and are attached to a thick backing. The base material of turf is called infill.

The most commonly used base materials are granulated crumb rubber produced from used tires, plastic pellets,rubber-coated sand, and sand.

Artificial turf absorbs heat, resulting in surface temperatures that are much higher than ambient temperatures.

In June 2002, Brigham Young University, the average surface temperature on a synthetic turf field, was 117°F while the average surface temperatures on natural turf and asphalt were 78°F and 110°F, respectively.

Now that we know polyester materials absorb heat, the absorption of heat is a natural flaw to synthetic turf and unfortunately, this flaw is what exacerbated by window reflections (especially Low E windows).

Why does artificial turf melt?

Well, it boils down to this, turf melts because it's made up of polyesters. Polyesters are known to absorb a tremendous amount of heat.

Secondly, windows have become more efficient over the years. Low E windows especially modern windows today that are especially common on new construction are often installed with Low E windows. Also, new homes built after 2004 are required in most states to have low emissivity windows to meet energy efficiency codes.

These same windows also play a major role by reflecting more energy resulting in burns of both turf and organic grass.

How to stop turf melting?

So now that we know why and what causes turf to melt let's talk about ways to prevent artificial turf from melting.

• Apply turf shield window film to your windows

Turf Shield window film is specifically designed with the intent to stop turf from melting. TSWF is a film applied on the exterior of the glass, and it refracts the light across the surface of the glass thereby eliminating the direct reflection back onto the artificial turf or organic grass; eliminating the damaging rays' ability to increase temperatures resulting in melting or burning.

• Have solar screens installed

Solar screens are a fixed frame screwed into the exterior portion of the window and are usually installed in an effort to reduce heat gain, but in this case, the do block the damaging reflection caused by low e windows there for eliminating the chances or artificial turf burning.

• Replace your windows

Lastly and most costly is to replace your windows with less efficient windows, it's not the most practical solution but its a solution if the turf must stay without altering the look of your windows.

What's the melting point of artificial turf?

Artificial turf generally begins to melt around 168 -220 degrees depending on the blend or the material. Usually, turf manufactures will blend polyester with polypropylene to make the turf softer with a feel of natural grass, making the melting point a bit higher, as polypropylene has a higher melting point.

We hope you enjoyed this information and if you have any questions please feel free to drop us a message.