Does Artificial Grass Get Hot?

Does artificial grass get hot in the summer and is there a way to keep it cool? We are going to answer both of those questions as they are important to anyone considering artificial grass with children or pets that will be walking or crawling on the grass in the hot summer months. It's inevitable that you'll be enjoying your grass in the heat of summer maybe it's barefoot after a dip in the pool or a quick stroll for your little furry friend in the summer afternoon fresh air. 

The topic of artificial grass and heat retention seems like a simple one, but there are some variables that need to be considered. In years past there were cheap grasses that retained heat and were very hot, todays high quality synthetic grasses stay cooler by using state of the art manufacturing techniques and materials. In addition to grass quality, using a proper light colored silica sand infill can reduce artificial grass heat substantially but we'll take a look at other factors beyond grass quality and infill material below. 

Does Artificial Grass get Hot for Dogs?

Does artificial grass get too hot for dogs? The answer is yes it can but it depends on a few different things; the quality and brand of artificial grass, amount of direct sunlight, temperatures in your area and the sensitivity of your individual dogs paws. It's common for artificial grass to heat up and retain heat in the hot afternoon sun and you will need to be aware of the temperature of the artificial grass if dogs or children will be playing on it during peak summer hours.

A well thought out dogscaping plan will address these needs and keep the grass comfortable.

Just as you and your pet would avoid sand, rocks, asphalt or concrete in the blazing summer sun, it's always a good idea to test the temperature before going on the grass. Even the highest quality artificial grass can get hot when exposed to direct sunlight and extreme heat. When considering a safe artificial grass temperature for dogs it's best to assume that there may be times when the grass is too hot for both animals and human bare skin contact. Learn more about dog paw safety on surfaces including artificial grass, asphalt, concrete and brick. 

Artificial grass is most likely to reach temperatures that are uncomfortable for you or your dog when exposed to direct sunlight so providing shade is a great option. While you and your dog will likely be seeking cool temperatures and shade in the hot afternoon sun, if you do want to enjoy the artificial grass for your dog during the hottest days there a few different options to make it more comfortable. We've put together a few ideas on how to keep artificial grass cool in the hot summer months below. 

How to Keep Artificial Grass Cool

When comparing artificial grass vs natural grass temperature, artificial grass will heat up and retain more heat than natural grass. While this may be considered one of the disadvantages of artificial grass some may find it beneficial as the grass will retain heat and stay warm into the cooler evening hours. If the grass is too hot for you or your dog to walk on, there are simple ways to keep it cool even in the hottest temperatures. 

1. Incorporate Shade

The easiest way to keep artificial grass cool is to incorporate shade. If any area of synthetic lawn is kept in the shade, that area will stay very comfortable and cool even on the hottest days. The shade can come in the form of natural trees, awnings, patio umbrellas, canopies or even lawn furniture. The small amount of shade provided by a lawn chair can be all it takes to give your furry friend a comfortable place to have an afternoon nap. 

When does artificial grass get hot? It's going to be most common in the hot afternoon sun when the sun is beating down while accompanied by soaring hot temperatures. If you are brave enough to spend time outdoors in the rising heat, you have likely already incorporated some natural or man made shade structures into your outdoor living space. In addition to keeping your artificial grass cool, you'll enjoy the outdoor space even more with a shade structure.  

2. Choose a High Quality Artificial Grass

You get what you pay for when it comes to the performance and quality of artificial grass. In todays artificial grass market there are endless options that vary in colour, shape, density, design and quality. It's common for top rated artificial grass to incorporate heat blocking properties and warranties up to 25 years. An added benefit is most synthetic polymers used in manufacturing artificial grass today are comprised of a high percentage of recycled materials.

Is there an artificial grass that doesn't get hot? If grass is exposed to temperatures that exceed 40℃ (104℉) and under direct sunlight, there is not doubt even the highest quality artificial grass will heat up just as most other surfaces would. The solution is to avoid the grass during these times or use some of the cooling options discussed below. 

3. Cool Off with Water

If your artificial grass gets hot and you want to cool it off quickly there is no easier and quicker way than hitting it with a bit of water. The cold water from a garden hose or existing sprinkler system will instantly cool off the hottest artificial grass. This method will keep artificial grass cool temporarily which will likely be long enough for your dog to go for a stroll or use the grass for it's favourite daily activity. An added bonus to applying water to your artificial grass periodically is that you will encourage filtration and flush urine away into the sub layers beneath the grass, preventing urine odours.

4. Prevent Reflective Surfaces

The suns rays sent down onto all surfaces in your yard will heat up everything in their path. They can even be intensified when reflecting off a glass window, aluminum siding or any light reflective material. The best way is to avoid reflections off these surfaces by introducing a shade material or anything that will block the direct or reflected light. When preventing this type of magnified light you will keep the grass cooler, prolong the life of the grass and potentially keep the grass from melting in extreme cases.

5. Use a Light Coloured Infill Material

While using a light coloured artificial grass infill isn't going to keep all grasses cool on the hottest summer days it will help a little bit. The reflective properties of light coloured surfaces is an important one for savvy landscapers and it applies when choosing an infill for artificial grass. The difference between using a black rubber pellet infill versus using a bleached silica sand might be the factor that makes the grass comfortable versus being too hot to enjoy. 

Does artificial grass get hot even when using a white silica sand infill on the hottest days? The answer is yes it's possible but when used in combination with the above options for keeping artificial grass cool you are sure to reduce the amount of time that the grass is uncomfortable and increase the time you can enjoy your luxury outdoor oasis. 

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Disclaimer

Duralawn® artificial grass installations, products and service in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, etc since 2018.