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Artificial Grass

Why Artificial Grass Isn’t All the Same (And How to Spot the Difference)

If you want the best artificial grass in Sydney that your money can buy, you need to know how to identify the best artificial grass and installer beforeyou pay for anything.

At first glance, every artificial grass looks similar. But look closely at how they’re manufactured and installed, and you’ll realise not all of it is as durable and reliable as it’s made out to be.

How to Find the Best Artificial Grass in Sydney: What To Look For

The differences in material, make, and installation between premium artificial grass and the inferior brands are huge. Yet these won’t be immediately apparent on the first day the turf is laid. The differences show up over time, especially in Sydney’s heat, weather, and soil conditions.

best artificial grass Sydney
Being almost indistinguishable from the real thing is a mark of good quality in synthetic turf. But that’s just one of the characteristics of premium artificial grass you should be on the lookout for.

So how do you spot the premium artificial grass among them, early on? How do they compare to any synthetic lawns you’ve seen?

You do this by looking for specific characteristics in the material. When shopping around for artificial grass, the landscaping service companies you approach will present you with various samples of their turf.

And that becomes your first opportunity to examine them up close for the following characteristics.

1. Fibre Quality and Colour Variation

One of the easiest ways to tell quality artificial grass apart is simply how real it looks.

best australian made artificial grass
Look closely at the samples that artificial grass suppliers or installers show you.

Lower-quality grass often:

  • Has a flat, overly bright green colour
  • Uses a single fibre tone
  • Looks obviously artificial from a distance

Premium artificial grass uses:

  • Multiple fibre colours blended together
  • Thatch layers to mimic natural turf
  • Softer, more resilient blades that stand upright

High-quality grass is designed so you have to get close or touch it to realise it’s not real.

If a lawn looks fluorescent green or unnaturally uniform, it’s usually a sign of cheaper materials.

2. Durability and Fibre Recovery

Artificial grass isn’t just about how it looks. It’s about how it performs over time.

durable artificial grass for golf
If you’re planning to use your artificial grass often (as in this private putting green), testing swatches beforehand for fibre durability is a must.

Lower-grade turf often:

  • Mattes down quickly
  • Struggles to recover after foot traffic
  • Looks tired within a few years

Better-quality grass:

  • Springs back after use
  • Maintains its shape and texture
  • Continues to look good year after year

This is particularly important in:

  • Play areas
  • Side yards
  • High-traffic zones

When you’re shown some artificial turf samples, ask if you can take some swatches home with you. You can then test them repeatedly for days, rolling and unrolling or pushing down on the fibres to simulate foot traffic. If the fibres don’t recover well early on, they won’t improve with time.

3. Heat Retention (A Big Issue in Australian Conditions)

This is one of the most overlooked differences.

artificial grass with low heat retention
Sydney’s temperatures can soar well above 35 degrees Celsius in the hotter months. If your artificial grass isn’t designed for Australia’s climate and you leave it exposed to the sun, it can pose a minor burn hazard for any barefoot human or pet running across it.

Cheaper artificial grass tends to:

  • Retain more heat
  • Become uncomfortable underfoot in the summer
  • Radiate heat back into the surrounding areas

On the other hand, higher-quality grass is engineered with:

  • Fibre structures that reduce heat absorption
  • Better airflow between blades
  • Materials designed for harsh sun exposure

While all artificial grass gets warmer than natural turf, premium products stay noticeably cooler — and this is especially important for families, pets, and barefoot use.

Again, ask if you can take swatches with you. You can test their heat retention by placing them out in the sun.

4. Warranty and Expected Lifespan

weather tolerant artificial grass
The longer the warranty, the longer your artificial grass is likely to withstand Sydney’s wide fluctuations in temperature.

Warranty length is one of the clearest indicators of quality.

Cheap artificial grass often:

  • Has limited or vague warranties
  • Covers manufacturing defects only
  • Offers little protection once installed

Premium artificial grass typically:

  • Comes with long-term warranties
  • Is designed to last 15–20+ years
  • Is backed by manufacturers confident in their product

A longer warranty usually reflects better materials, UV resistance, and fibre construction. A retailer or landscaping service won’t be able to offer such a warranty without that manufacturing quality.

5. Price (It’s a Signal, Not the Whole Story)

Artificial grass pricing can vary dramatically, and there’s usually a reason.

best artificial grass price
Do not go for the cheapest artificial grass and installation service, just to save money. Always go with quality or don’t bother getting artificial grass at all.

If one quote is significantly cheaper, ask:

  • Where is the grass manufactured?
  • What materials are being used underneath?
  • How is drainage handled?
  • What warranty is included?

Artificial grass is one of those products where you genuinely get what you pay for, especially over the long term.

If you want guaranteed quality and durability, be prepared to pay for premium prices.

How to Spot the Best Service Quality (Before You Commit)

However, even the best grass you find will fail if it’s installed poorly. This job isn’t something for amateurs or first-timers. You need to choose an experienced and professional artificial grass installer to do it for you.

Here’s how to find the company with the best installation work quality.

prepare base for artificial grass
An example of a crushed bedding sand base for an artificial grass backyard lawn. Building up its foundation requires layered compacting.

1. Ask the Right Questions

Before choosing an artificial grass installer, ask to:

  • See or feel their grass samples up close
  • Understand how the base will be built
  • Ask how heat, drainage, and expansion are managed
  • Clarify what warranty applies after installation

A quality-focused installer will happily explain these details.

2. What’s Underneath Matters Just as Much

Two artificial lawns can use the same grass, yet perform differently over the years. It depends on how the landscaping company supplies or renders the following:

  • Base materials
  • Compaction
  • Drainage design

Because these aspects go underneath the surface of the turf, any mistakes or shortcuts made can initially be hidden underneath.

base for artificial grass for golf putting green
In the photo: road base foundation for a private artificial grass golf putting green.

However, the best professionals won’t be tempted to hide anything. They know that cutting corners leads to problems that many homeowners discover 6-12 months later, such as:

  • Uneven areas
  • Lifting edges
  • Drainage issues
  • Premature wear

Don’t just rely on the portfolio the landscaping company provides you. Ideally, if you can find referrals or testimonials on their work directly from past clients, the better. This is how you can discover how much installation quality actually matters to them.

3. Joining, Fixing, and Edge Detail

Quality differences also show up in how a landscaper or installer renders the seams and edges of the artificial grass.

edge detailing for artificial lawn
Cutting edges to mimic how real grass would grow against a wall.

Lower-quality installation services often rely on:

  • Thin joining tape
  • Cheap adhesives
  • Standard nails that can rust

Over time, this can lead to:

  • Seams separating
  • Edges lifting
  • Visible gaps along fences or paths

Trustworthy professional installations use:

  • Heavy-duty joining tape
  • Commercial-grade adhesives
  • Fixings designed for long-term outdoor use

Look carefully into what adhesives and fixings an installer will use for the turf they’re recommending. If possible, ask for recent photos of artificial lawn edges they’ve already done, so you can scrutinise their work.

Final Thoughts

best synthetic grass installers Sydney
We’re an all-in-one service. We’ll help you pick the right shade and make of grass for your needs, then install it for you.

Remember why you’re choosing artificial grass in the first place: you want a low-maintenance alternative for your garden or property’s landscape. Low maintenance means not having to replace or fix problems after just a few years. Thus, your artificial grass should be durable enough to be a long-term upgrade, not a short-term cosmetic fix.

When you choose high-quality turf and pair it with proper preparation and installation, the result is a lawn that:

  • Looks natural
  • Feels comfortable
  • Performs reliably for years

If you want access to the best artificial grass in Sydney and need professional turf installation services you can rely on, contact our team now. We use only the best Australian-made artificial grass, and our installation work speaks for itself.

👉 See how we do our artificial grass installation process here:
Artificial Grass Installation in Sydney

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