Artificial turf can be a great solution for areas with poor soil composition that will not support natural grass or for areas around a swimming pool. The chlorine and other chemicals in the pool water that splash onto a lawn can easily kill the grass and, in turn, you may wind up with brown, patchy areas on your property. Artificial turf can provide you with a lawn that is durable and long-lasting and which means no weeds to pull, fertilizer to put down, and so on. Note a few tips for how to choose synthetic grass for your home's lawn so you know the best option.

1. High-traffic areas

If you have dogs or need to put artificial turf over a driveway area if the space is not covered in concrete, look for what is called short-pile or monotone turf. This turf is mean to be durable and strong but isn't necessarily soft under your feet. The short pile keeps it from being matted down in areas of very high traffic, so parking your car over it or having the dogs run on it and try to dig it up won't affect the appearance.

2. Moderate traffic areas

If you want artificial turf that looks more like real grass and which is a bit softer under your feet than short-pile turf, look for what is called two-tone ranges. These are made with artificial grasses that will have more color variation than a monotone lawn so they will look more real from a distance. Two-tone grasses are also higher than short-pile turfs and are usually coated with a type of silicone, so they're softer under your feet.

3. Superior lawns

Superior lawns are made from longer blades of artificial grass and will also have artificial moss around the blades. The longer blades will be softer under your feet, but note that they may not always hold up well under heavy traffic. Most will come in a four-tone variety for maximum color differences, which will then make your lawn look very real even when up close. 

4. Padding

For added comfort, look for what is called landscape flooring. This is padding that goes under your artificial turf and which gives it even more cushioning. This can be a good choice for lawns where children play or when you want to use outdoor furniture and feel soft grass under your feet. Safety flooring is another type of padding that is meant to keep artificial grass from slipping around, which can be good for turf around a pool area where the water might cause slickness.