More and more Texas homeowners are opting for the appearance and ease of artificial turf, but they need to protect their investment from sun damage, especially harm caused by window glare.
“It’s any homeowner’s nightmare: Your artificial turf mysteriously starts melting in random spots, and you can only watch helplessly as it starts discoloring and curling at the ends,” writes Chelsi Hewitt for FlooringInc.com. “Believe it or not, the culprit is the sun, with a little bit of help from your windows.”
That unwanted assist comes in the form of reflection as intense heat bouncing off energy-efficient glass windows can damage, and even melt, the plastic material found in artificial turf.
The good news is that window tinting, such as 3M’s Exterior Prestige 70, can block the sun’s harmful UV rays while decreasing the reflective glare.
The Growing Use of Artificial Turf
Window glare and artificial turf damage has been a growing issue as the artificial turf market has been growing.
One report projects the global artificial turf market to reach $4.2 billion by 2027, citing the following factors:
- Less water used
- Less chemicals used
- Low maintenance
- Weather resistant
- Longevity
“There are valid reasons why consumers are considering artificial turf for their homes. You don't need a lawnmower or fertilizer to maintain artificial turf,” says ClimatePro.com “Additionally, they also require little to no water, obviously. This is especially important in times of drought and when states ask us to conserve water usage.”
Some real estate experts also suggest that artificial turf can increase your home’s value.
“Artificial turf lawns maintain their green and manicured appearance all year round, enhancing the appearance of your home,” says ClimatePro.com.
Artificial Turf, Your Windows, and Sun Damage
Homeowners investing in artificial turf want to protect their asset so they want to remove anything that could harm their synthetic grass.
“We know that sunshine is a powerful energy source and can cause damage to fabrics, furniture, and flooring,” says ClimatePro.com. “The sun can also damage artificial turf.”
The sun that reflects off windows can actually be magnified, causing more damage to artificial turf than direct sunshine. In some cases, those with artificial lawns have watched their turf melt.
While manufacturers have made strikes in artificial turf with today’s installations designed to withstand freezes and fading from the sun’s UVs, the turf is still usually made from plastic-based polyethylene or polypropylene materials.
“Despite these innovations, turf is still partially made of plastic, and plastic melts in the heat,” says FlooringInc.com.
Jill Odom, writing for Total Landscape Care, says one of the culprits is Low-E glass which uses “microscopic coating of metallic oxide that allows light to enter, but radiant heat and solar heat are bounced off the glass surface onto other substances. While these window reflections can cause natural turfgrass to die or catch on fire, the heat will cause artificial turf to melt.
Most synthetic turfs, according to Odom, have a melting point of around 175-200 degrees Fahrenheit and the reflected heat from Low-E glass windows can easily reach these temperatures.
Protect Your Artificial Turf with Window Tinting
Homeowners, and business owners maintaining artificial turf areas, should start by investigating how the sun is bouncing off their windows and onto any artificial grass.
In those areas, they can place thermometers to check the heat.
“If it is over 150 degrees F, then take precautionary measures to have a window film installed that reduces exterior reflection or redesign the landscape to have hardscaping in the areas of concern,” says Odom.
3Ms sun control window film Prestige Exterior Series can be the perfect solution for window glare harming your artificial turf.
Prestige Exterior Series is made of multi-layered, metal-free nanotechnology that leaves your windows both clear and non-reflective. With 3M Prestige Exterior Series you get the following:
- Clear, non-reflective appearance maintains the original look of the building
- High visual light transmission providing excellent aesthetics
- Up to 97 percent infrared rejection providing energy savings and enhanced comfort
- Low interior and exterior reflectivity enhance views while maintaining exterior appearance
- Innovative heat protection in summer, negligible heat loss during winter
- Completely metal free construction, no corrosion, no signal interference
Best of all, window tinting offers you peace of mind that your artificial turf will be around to enjoy for years to come.
Contact Sunset Glass Tinting today in the Houston area to find out more about how window tinting can protect your home, business and/or other valuable assets.
