Artificial Grass vs Artificial Turf
What the names mean, from a store that sells artificial turf for lawns and putting greens: the words are interchangeable, and the turfs differ by what they are made for.
Is artificial turf the same as artificial grass?
Yes. Artificial grass, artificial turf, synthetic grass, synthetic turf and fake grass are names for the same thing: synthetic blades on a backing, made to look like a lawn. California law uses the names side by side: Government Code 53087.7 speaks of “synthetic grass or artificial turf”. The real differences are between turfs made for different uses.
- The store uses the names for the same products: it is Artificial Grass & Landscaping, sells Always Green artificial turf, and sells its turf adhesive as “Synthetic Turf Glue”.
- California Civil Code 4735 protects, in an HOA, “artificial turf or any other synthetic surface that resembles grass”; Government Code 53087.7(b) says drought-tolerant landscaping “shall not include the installation of synthetic grass or artificial turf” (California artificial grass laws).
- On its own, “turf” can also mean a natural lawn: Civil Code 4735 speaks of low water-using plants “as a replacement of existing turf”.
- Artificial turf against a natural lawn is a different question: artificial grass vs natural grass.
What is the real difference between types of artificial turf?
The use. Landscape lawn turf has a taller pile, 1.34" (34 mm) to 2" (51 mm) in the store's lawn turfs; putting green turf has a short pile, 0.75" (19 mm) to 0.79" (20 mm), for putting on; sports-field turf is made for sports fields. Artificial Grass & Landscaping sells lawn and putting green turf and the supplies to install them, not sports-field turf.
| Use | Sold here? | What the store sells |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape lawns: front, back and side yards | Yes | 7 Always Green lawn turfs, 1.34" (34 mm) to 2" (51 mm) pile, cut to length from $1.49 per sq ft (turf buyer's guide) |
| Pet and dog areas | Yes, with lawn turf | No separate pet turf: the lawn turfs, over antimicrobial Camofill infill (turf for dogs) |
| Backyard putting greens | Yes | 2 Tour Preferred putting turfs, 0.75" (19 mm) to 0.79" (20 mm) pile, cut to length from $2.29 per sq ft (putting green turf) |
| Sports fields | No | Not sold |
| Golf hitting mats and gym flooring | No | Not sold |
| Installation supplies | Yes | Infill, weed barrier, nails, staples, seaming tape, turf glue and edging |
We provide contractors: installation is done by independent, third-party contractors, not by Artificial Grass & Landscaping staff. Contractor services are available within 40 miles of the Rancho Cordova warehouse; further out, contact us first.
Lawn turf vs putting green turf
Putting green turf has a much shorter pile, 0.75" (19 mm) to 0.79" (20 mm) against 1.34" (34 mm) to 2" (51 mm) for lawn turf, and is the turf for a backyard putting green; lawn turf covers the rest of the yard. Lawn turf is cut 7.5 ft, 13 ft and 15 ft wide and putting turf 7.5 ft and 15 ft, and samples of both are on the warehouse fence.
| Turf | Use | Pile height | Face weight | Cut to length, from | Full roll, from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always Green Tuscany 54 oz | Lawn | 1.34" (34 mm) | 25oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change) | $1.49 | $0.99 (4-roll minimum) |
| Always Green Palm Springs 77 Oz. | Lawn | 1.97" (50 mm) | 49oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change) | — | $1.29 (2-roll minimum) |
| Always Green Newport 108 Oz. | Lawn | 2" (51 mm) | 78oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change) | $2.39 | $1.99 |
| Always Green Carmel 115 Oz. | Lawn | 2" (51 mm) | 90oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change) | $2.59 | $2.19 |
| Always Green Tahoe 160 Oz. | Lawn | 2" (51 mm) | 115oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change) | $3.19 | $2.69 |
| Always Green Sierra 160 Oz. | Lawn | 2" (51 mm) | 125oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change) | $3.19 | $2.69 |
| Always Green Santa Barbara 160 Oz. | Lawn | 2" (51 mm) | 125oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change) | $3.19 | $2.69 |
| Always Green Tour Preferred Putting Green 68 Oz. | Putting green | 0.79" (20 mm) | 40oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change) | $2.29 | $1.79 |
| Always Green Tour Preferred Putting Green 83 Oz. | Putting green | 0.75" (19 mm) | 58oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change) | $2.29 | $1.79 |
Is pet turf different from regular artificial turf?
Artificial Grass & Landscaping does not sell a separate pet turf: dog areas use the same Always Green lawn turf, over Camofill infill, which is encapsulated sand with an antimicrobial coating that helps stop bacteria, mold and mildew growing. Pick up after dogs and rinse the spot, more often in summer.
The lawn turfs compared for a dog area, and cleaning: artificial turf for dogs.
What is artificial turf made of?
Each Always Green turf's catalog description lists polyethylene yarn for the blades, a polypropylene thatch and a polyurethane backing, Rhino Triple PP PU Backing. The turfs differ in pile height, how tall the blades stand, and face weight, the ounces of yarn per square foot, which the supplier gives within plus or minus 5% and which is subject to change.
More on the backing: Rhino backing. Every spec side by side: the turf buyer's guide.
What this page can't tell you
- How another company's turf compares: this page covers only the turf Artificial Grass & Landscaping sells.
- Specifications for sports-field turf, golf hitting mats or gym flooring: the store does not sell them, so they are not described here.
- Whether artificial turf or a natural lawn suits your yard better: artificial grass vs natural grass.
- Which turf you will like: Samples hang on the fence outside the warehouse at 3667 Omec Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, to see or take any time, or order free samples online ($14.95 shipping).
Questions and answers
Is artificial turf the same as artificial grass?
Yes. Artificial grass, artificial turf, synthetic grass, synthetic turf and fake grass are names for the same thing: synthetic blades on a backing, made to look like a lawn. California law uses the names side by side: Government Code 53087.7 speaks of “synthetic grass or artificial turf”. The real differences are between turfs made for different uses.
What is the difference between synthetic grass and artificial turf?
None: they are two names for the same product, and California's Government Code 53087.7 uses them side by side. Turfs differ by use instead: landscape lawn turf, putting green turf and sports-field turf.
Do you sell sports field turf?
No. Artificial Grass & Landscaping sells Always Green landscape lawn turf, Tour Preferred putting green turf and installation supplies, not sports-field turf, golf hitting mats or gym flooring.
Next steps
Warehouse, office and samples: 3667 Omec Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 · (916) 370-5527 (call or text)
Prices and charges as of November 6, 2026; the product pages and checkout always show the current figure.