Installing artificial grass is an excellent option to transform any space, indoors or outdoors. Artificial grass is a big investment, so of course, you want to prevent any damage. So the question is can artificial grass melt? Yes, turf can melt in extreme conditions.
Manufacturers have made huge strides in improving turf quality. Many new products are now made of polyethylene or polypropylene, which are plastic-based. Today’s turf has a durable backing, it’s designed to resist fading from UV radiation, and it is built to withstand the freeze and thaw of the seasons. Despite these innovations, turf is still partially made of plastic, and plastic melts in the heat.
How Hot Does It Have to Be for Artificial Grass to Melt?
As it turns out, it has to be pretty hot for synthetic grass to melt. The melting point of artificial grass is quite high; in fact, it takes temperatures of more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit to melt most turf. So why can turf melt when such concentrated heat is needed? The answer is likely a window reflection burning grass or possibly vinyl fencing.
The intense heat from an energy-efficient glass window reflection has the ability to melt and damage plastics like those found in turf. Sun reflection occurs when rays fall on a very shiny surface such as Low-e glass window, polished metal, white plastic, a mirror, and so on. Then, that surface concentrates the sun’s rays, thus enhancing its heat, and bounces them in the opposite direction until they reach another surface, in this case directly to the artificial grass. The effect is the same as when we put a magnifying glass under the sun and make the rays fall on a sheet of paper. After a while, we will see how the sheet of paper will start to burn at the point where the light beam hits.
How to prevent artificial grass from melting?
Tip #1 – If the melting problem is caused by the existence of vinyl fences around the area where you want to install artificial grass, the solution is to make sure you leave a few garden feet parallel to the vinyl structure so that the reflection of the sun shines on the ground, decorative stones or mulch, and not directly on the lawn. This is the easiest and cheapest solution.
Tip #2 – We recommend is to put an anti-reflective film on the windows or doors to reduce the external reflection on the artificial grass. This type of film sticks to glass and is not noticeable. Another alternative is to place screens with shade screens, meshes such as those used as mosquito nets, reflective paint or awnings.
What can be done about Melting Turf?
A simple solution would be to put something up, such as a patio umbrella, to protect your turf. This would only be a temporary fix though because anything you put in the way of the hot spot will only get destroyed.
What needs to happen is for the sun’s rays to be blocked before they can hit the window and reflect back out. If the solar heat is cut down before it ever touches the glass, then there is nothing to reflect out and your lawn is safe.
