The cost of having artificial grass installed will vary depending on many factors, however, the cost for a quality installation from a company that covers necessary business expenses such as workers compensation and employee benefits ranges between $9.00 to $14.00 per square foot.
Yes. Artificial grass is made from polyethylene (plastic) which absorbs heat when exposed to direct UV rays, much like playground slides or swing seats. There are some grass types will stay cooler than others but generally the temperature range during warmer months are between 130 to 160 degrees (only while in direct sun).
The type of turf you should consider will generally be based on the expected traffic, budget and appearance. Higher traffic areas such as playgrounds will want to use a higher ounce face weight and additional infill. For low-traffic areas, using a natural looking, lower density turf will blend in with the landscape more. For pet areas, you should consider a turf with a shorter pile height and specialized infill system.
Advancements in manufacturing and raw materials has increased the life expectancy of artificial grass. Synthetic turf goes through various tests to determine its expected life span. Tests include repetitive impact and abrasion tests to concentrated UV light exposure for thousands of hours. While harsher climates will reduce the lifespan, the average life expectancy for new generation turf is between 15 to 20 years.