Durable Enough For Animal Shelters?
Artificial turf has been in the spotlight for a while now. Although it is not necessarily an accepted alternative to natural grass, it does have its advantages over real grass. It eliminates the need of having to water and fertilize your lawn; therefore, saving time and money. This can be helpful for those working in an animal shelter, as they can spend more time caring for their animals instead of taking care of the grounds.
Although there are many advantages to artificial turf, just how durable is it? As a matter of fact, some believe that this grass will last only a year or two before it needs to be replaced. In this case, an animal shelter would need to replace the turf every couple of years, which would be a hassle and a large expense. It has been suggested that a possible solution could be to just replace the blades of artificial grass rather than the entire product, saving money in the long run.
What is Artificial Turf?
To fully understand this subject, it is important to have a general idea of what artificial turf really is. Artificial turf is a product composed of two components: the blades and the backing material. The blades are made out of polyethylene (a type of plastic). There are other types of backings as well, such as rubber, sand, crumb rubber, and silica sand.
Of these backing materials, polyethylene is the most durable for artificial turf. Unfortunately, it can be quite expensive due to its durability; therefore, other types of backings may be utilized in order to save money. Each type of material reflects a different quality of turf life; however, none of them can last as long as recycled rubber. Additionally, the more resilient the backing material is, the harder it is to clean and maintain.
How Long Does Artificial Turf Last?
First of all, it is important to realize that the quality and design of artificial turf will affect how long each product lasts. In general, however, artificial lawns have a lifespan between 7-10 years. For those who want their turf to last longer, investing in high-quality products with strong backings could be the answer. For instance, some artificial turfs can last up to 15 years!
While it is true that better-quality products with stronger backings will last longer than lower-quality ones, there are always factors that can reduce the lifespan of your turf. The more animals that use the turf on a regular basis, the faster it will show signs of wear.
Turf Life vs. Animal Shelter Use
Although there are many products available on the market, it should be remembered that animal shelters care for a large number of animals. This creates a lot of wear and tear not only on the turf itself but also on the ground below it. In fact, if the soil underneath is not properly prepared before installation, then more problems can arise.
To ensure that artificial turf does last in an animal shelter setting, the following steps should be taken.
- Use high-quality artificial turf
- Make sure the ground is prepared for installation
- Clean and maintain the turf on a regular basis
- If you are experiencing any problems with your artificial turf, look for replacement blades rather than replacing the entire product
- If you are at a point where you need to replace your turf, check out recycled rubber as an alternative. This can ensure that your new product lasts for years to come!
Animal Shelters Often Opt for Artificial Turf
The main reason why animal shelters prefer artificial turf is because it requires no maintenance or watering. This saves time and money for those working there, which means they can spend more time on other important tasks such as taking care of the animals and finding them new homes.
It's also common for shelters to choose turf due to the fact that it can be easily cleaned without harsh chemicals. It's so easy to keep clean, even with the large number of animals that can be in the shelter at any given time. Plus, it's better for the animals and workers to keep the shelter as clean as possible.
Finally, because there is less mess on artificial turf than real grass, it can be safer for the animals walking around or staying in the shelter. For instance, if an animal were to start having "accidents,” then this would be less of a problem on turf than on grass.
Turf is a popular choice for animal shelters due to its low maintenance, safety features, less mess, and the lower cost associated with installation. With proper care, artificial turf can last up to 15 years in an animal shelter setting! If you're considering installing new turf at your facility or are currently seeking out alternatives that will be more durable than what you have now, consider recycled rubber as it offers many of the same benefits while lasting even longer. Let us know if we can help you find what's best for your needs today!