If you’re doing your homework prior to embarking upon a synthetic grass installation in Sydney, be it DIY or fully installed, then congratulations, this is what we recommend! Along the way you will probably encounter some unusual terms that are synonymous with our industry, so here are a few explanations for some of the lesser known idioms that you may come across. Stitch Rate: The stitch rate of artificial turf designates the weight per m2 of the yarn (thatch and blades combined) but does not include the backing. Density: The density of artificial grass reflects the number of stitches per m2 in the finished product. E.g. our 30mm Verona residential landscape grass has a density of 18,900 stitches per m2. Or in other words, it is very thick and soft underfoot!! Dtex: A strange term often used in our industry, the Dtexis an abbreviation for the unit of measurement that defines the strength of the yarn (Decitex) or fibre. Technically in the case of synthetic grass, it reflects the mass in grams per 10,000m of the fibre. Backing: The backing is important as it primarily holds the entire product together. The best quality backing will definitely contribute to long lasting synthetic grass, it’s as simple as that. Don’t become totally occupied with the aesthetics of the yarn, take a moment to consider how it’s all being held together. A strong polypropylene / latex combination traditionally performs best. Gauge: Similar to train tracks, the gauge of fake turf is distance between two neighbouring stitch lines in the grass, best viewed from the back of the grass, common gauges include 3/8 inch or 3/4 inch. Face Weight: This is the measurement of how many grams of yarn are used in the construction of one square metre of synthetic grass. The greater the Face Weight of the product the longer and denser the grass will be. In-fill: Predominantly kiln-dried sand, occasionally other man-made in-fill materials are recommended by most global manufacturers to be lightly spread over the artificial grass once it has been laid. This will assist with keeping the pile upright, regardless of what anyone says, and to a certain extent will offer increased cooling once established. Base: Synthetic grass cannot simply be laid outdoors on a patch of dirt and pinned at the perimeters. Correct base installation will ensure the fake lawn maximises lifespan. Usual materials forming the foundation for synthetic grass in Sydney and Brisbane include road base and blue metal crusher dust. For optimum results a 100mm compacted base is best. Pile height: Pile height, as it sounds, defines the height of the fake grass from the backing to the tip of the yarn, usually anywhere from 15mm-45mm and sometimes beyond. Salvage: Usually 100mm or so of excess backing materials left along each lineal edge of the roll of synthetic turf (depending on the width of the roll), this has to be removed prior to installation, best take the first couple of stitches off at the same time to ensure continuity along the joins. Seaming Tape: 150mm, 300mm or 400mm rolls of tape used under each seam that is created during laying. Some seaming tape is self-adhering, some (300mm / 400mm wide) requires adhesive to be applied before bringing the seams together to form the join.