FAUX GRASS: Residents turn to artificial turf

Ko Ko and Shantee gleefully prance across the emerald-green "lawn" in the back yard of their owners' home in Las Vegas. The canines don't seem to mind the texture of the turf. It's artificial -- 4,000 square feet of it.

The dogs love to run and roll around on it, and their masters, Reta and Jerry Callaway, like its ease of maintenance, not to mention its year-round healthy appearance.

"We had grass in our back yard, and then took it out and put in a lot of rock. But we didn't like that look, and wanted something `greener.' Last summer we decided to put in artificial grass along with a few golf holes and it's been great," said Reta Callaway, whose yard features a swimming pool, spa, tennis court, covered patio with an outdoor kitchen, and sitting areas.

"It's been very easy to maintain and great for our dogs. When they do `their business' on it, it's easy to clean; we can either just scoop it off like you would on grass or spray it off."

Jerry Keating, a southwestern valley resident, was equally impressed by the alternative to traditional grass.

"Five years ago, we decided to put a putting green in at my house and it turned out to be great. Now, in our new home, we have a putting green, as well as the synthetic turf," Keating said. "It's maintenance free. The only thing that I have to do is put a leaf blower to it and hose it down once in a while.

"I have pets and kids and it has worked out fine. When the kids utilize it, you don't have any matting down and it is fairly resilient. They've run on it in their bare feet, and we haven't had any problems with it getting too hot."

Harrison Landscape Co.'s chief executive, Don Harrison, said synthetic grass is a "big hit" with consumers.

"More customers are beginning to ask about it," said Harrison, whose company began installing synthetic turf last spring. "It's an alternative to rocks when you put in Xeriscape. It's a great product and it's for everyone."

Michael Nelson, a landscape architect at Harrison, said the appeal of the turf is varied.

"If people are looking for something low maintenance, I'd recommend it. (It's also) a good option for people who live in Las Vegas on a part-time basis," he said. "If there is a downside to it, it does heat up in the summer because it does not reflect the heat like real grass does. It does get hot, but it probably isn't any hotter than Kool Deck along a pool. Another problem might be if you have a dog who is a digger."

Randy Kleiner of Southwest Putting Greens also has experienced an increase in business since the Southern Nevada Water Authority issued water-use restrictions.

"When we first started doing this in 1995, we did 80 (percent) to 85 percent in putting greens and the remainder in artificial turf, but now our business is about 50-50. We had about 300 jobs last year, and there was an 18 (percent) to 22 percent increase in January," said Kleiner, who installed turf for the Callaways and Keatings.

"It's important for people who are interested in doing this to check with their community association first. I haven't had any problems with associations in installing it in back yards, but the front yard can be a different story. Some community associations are hesitant to allow it in the front yards, although the drought restrictions will likely not go away."

Before installing the product, Kleiner said the existing grass and ground cover must be removed, and irrigation to the area tied off. The turf is laid on top of compacted sand-aggregate that can be molded, and then nailed down along the edges. Portions of the turf can be cut out for stepping stones, plants and trees.

"We can install about 800 square feet in one day, but it depends on the specifics of the project," he said. "The older product was kind of coarse and shiny green, but the newer products look and feel more like real grass.

"Our product is made of different sizes and two different shades of polyethylene yarn. Under the material is a combination of rubber and sand. The sand gives it weight and the rubber gives it a bounce."

Homeowners can expect to pay between $6 and $10 per square foot for good-quality artificial turf, according to Harrison. Both Southwest and Harrison include a seven-year warranty.

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