By Larry Coonrod, Lebanon Express writer | Posted: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:00 am
It sounds like every homeowner's dream: a lawn that never needs watered, mowed, raked or weeded.
"All those things go by the wayside when you install artificial turf," said Valarian "Val" Neuman Jr, co-owner of Synthetic Turf of Oregon (STO) in Lebanon.
Neuman - a licensed contractor who also owns Oregon Asphalt Maintenance in Lebanon - started selling artificial turf with his stepson Eric Phelps in December 2005.
Neuman is the first to admit that Lebanon, in the heart of the grass seed capitol of the world, might seem like an odd place to sell artificial grass, particularly for a man whose four sons have all worked for seed farmers.
Researching the industry convinced him that the growing emphasis on green technology will lead to an ever-increasing demand for synthetic turf.
He cites one study that shows 8 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are from lawn maintenance. And, unlike the real stuff, artificial grass doesn't need any pesticides, weed killers or fertilizers - eliminating chemical runoff into the watershed.
After looking at artificial turf suppliers, Neuman said
he chose Synthetic Turf International "because they are dependable, reliable and well-established in the business."
Although not everyone is going to leap at the chance to rip out their carefully manicured lawn, Neuman said synthetic grass is good for mucky and shaded areas that will not hold grass.
"It provides a unique and attractive solution other than bark and rock," Neuman said.
Artificial grass used on playgrounds doesn't become muddy during wet weather. Synthetic turf is laid over a crushed rock drainage field and water quickly runs down the turf and through the lawns' perforated vinyl-backed fiberglass mat. Additionally, extra cushioning can be built into "fall zones" to protect children.
Putting greens are perhaps one of the most popular uses of synthetic grass. The Oaks of Lebanon installed a 200-square-foot green two years ago for its residents.
Synthetic turf is a blend of polyethylene and propylene plastics. The expected life span of the product is 25 to 30 years and it is 100 percent recyclable. Factoring in the cost of lawn maintenance for the same number of years, synthetic turf pays for itself, Neuman said.
With a 152 different types of grass species emulations, Neuman said Synthetic Turf of Oregon can match any native grass or supply something more exotic.
Installation begins with determining drainage needs and then excavating and laying crushed rock. Once the lawn is laid down, it is anchored with spikes and in-filled with 1.5 pounds of sand per square foot. Neuman said he recently saw pictures of an artificial lawn in the Midwest that was still in place after a hurricane had moved the owners' house.
The cost of installing an artificial lawn or putting green starts at around $5 or $6 a square foot. Customers may reduce the price a bit by doing the shovel work for the excavation and rock laying - "sweat equity," Neuman said.
Synthetic Turf of Oregon can design a layout or work with a landscape-engineering firm. For the do-it-yourself type, STO will sell the bulk turf material and give instructions.
Phelps traveled the United States for 7.5 years installing artificial turf for different company before going into business with Neuman. He said his most memorable installation was a 2 million square foot golf driving and training range near Branson, Mo., for the owner of Bass Pro Shops.
More information about the Synthetic Turf of Oregon's products and services is available at www.syntheticturfoforegon.com.