NewGrass Landscape & Design and NewGrass synthetic lawn can help developers, homeowners and builders meet California’s mandatory green-building regulations that took effect on January 1.
California’s comprehensive Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) is considered the most far-reaching legislation of its kind in the country. The standards promise to “achieve major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and water use to create a greener California,” according to a statement last fall from the office of former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who championed the guidelines.
NewGrass artificial lawn and NewGrass Landscape & Design were founded on a mission of offering an alternative to natural grass turf for homeowners and others who believe being eco-wise and environmentally conscious are as important as having more green grass to enjoy year-round. Installing NewGrass can help new construction comply with CALGreen.
In addition to many other areas of site planning and construction, the new California regulations address water efficiency and conservation; material conservation and resource efficiency including water resistance and moisture management and pollutant control. The new mandatory measures set minimum standards for all new construction in California. But local jurisdictions have the authority to exceed the CALGreen standards.
“We have always believed we provided a product that is a lifestyle choice in addition to being a common-sense landscaping alternative,” said Greg Goehner, president of NewGrass and NewGrass Landscape & Design.
CALGREEN requires in part that every new building constructed in California reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials.
Traditional turf lawns such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescue and Bermuda grass drink up as much as 70% of a California homeowner’s water consumption. Synthetic lawns like NewGrass not only don’t require water (except an occasional spray to clean them), they also keep the groundwater safe and reduce maintenance expenses because they don’t require pesticides or fertilizers.
In fact, a NewGrass synthetic lawn installed in Southern California can be expected to show a return on investment in less that 4½ years, based with data from actual customers, Goehner said.
For more information about CALGREEN, click here.
The days are gone when artificial grass was available only to large private schools for their fancy football fields. Because NewGrass Landscape & Design has access to the newest synthetic lawn technology, offers highly competitive product pricing and availability, and ensures consistently professional installation, schools are finding that fake grass makes sense for uses ranging from toddler play areas to athletic fields.
The primary benefits of a synthetic lawn for schools are its safety value compared with sod grass or dirt play areas, lower installation and maintenance costs over time compared with sod grass, virtually no maintenance, no need for potentially hazardous or environmentally dangerous fertilizers or herbicides, and no watering.
Regardless of whether the installation is for a play area or a football field, NewGrass from NewGrass Landscape & Design just makes sense. But we know school administrators have questions. We answer several of the most common questions below.
How safe is synthetic grass when it comes to falls?
Simply put, artificial grass is generally safer than sod grass or the typical dirt, wood ship or hard-sand playground when it comes to falls and hard knocks. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says 60 percent of playground injuries result from falls to the ground. NewGrass is made from soft, forgiving polyethylene and installed with an environmentally safe infill (not crumb rubber).
Does fake grass get hot in the sun?
Studies have shown that artificial grass can get about 20 degrees warmer than natural grass in direct sun in the height of summer and when the temperature is over 100 degrees. Also, studies show that synthetic grass cools off immediately when it’s watered down or shaded.
Will the color fade?
NewGrass is guaranteed not to fade noticeably under normal use for 10 years, thanks to UV additives in the yarn.
What’s the life expectancy for a playground or play area?
NewGrass has a manufacturer-issued 10-year guarantee.
What about issues like kids getting fungus from synthetic lawns on athletic fields?
Early concerns about the safety of artificial grass have been disproved. Numerous studies have shown that artificial grass is safe and hazard-free. NewGrass Landscape & Design furthers this with its decision against using rubber infill or lead-based materials in its grass blades.
Please contact us today if you have other concerns or questions about NewGrass or fake grass for your school application, or to learn more NewGrass or NewGrass Landscape & Design.
