How to Read an Artificial Grass Specification Sheet

How to Read an Artificial Grass Specification Sheet: A Beginner’s Guide for Buyers

An artificial grass specification sheet should help you answer three questions: what is the turf made of, how is it constructed, and whether that construction suits your market or project. No single number proves quality. Pile height, Dtex, gauge, stitch rate, density, face weight, backing, drainage, and roll size must be evaluated together.

This guide is written for importers, distributors, installers, and purchasing teams comparing artificial turf quotations. It explains what the common specifications mean, how they interact, and what information you should confirm before ordering samples or production.

Why an Artificial Grass Specification Sheet Matters

Two products can both be described as “40 mm landscaping grass” and still differ substantially in appearance, handling, material use, installation requirements, and cost. If you compare only pile height or price per square metre, you may be comparing products built for different purposes.

A useful specification sheet creates a common basis for comparison. It can help you:

check whether two quotations describe equivalent products;
select a construction that fits traffic, climate, appearance, and budget;
estimate roll weight, transport, storage, and installation handling;
confirm whether the sample matches the approved production specification;
give installers and project teams clearer purchasing information; and
reduce disputes caused by vague descriptions such as “premium” or “high density.”

For a separate introduction to the five basic terms used on many turf data sheets, see Tiger Lily Garden’s guide to artificial grass specifications. This article goes one step further and shows how to read the complete sheet as a buyer.

Artificial Grass Specifications at a Glance

Specification	What It Describes	Why Buyers Should Check It
Pile height	Length of the exposed yarn above the backing	Affects appearance, feel, use, infill requirements, and maintenance
Yarn material	Polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or a combination	Influences feel, resilience, moisture behaviour, and application
Yarn shape	Cross-section or construction of the filament	Influences appearance, recovery, stiffness, and light reflection
Dtex	Yarn system mass in grams per 10,000 metres	Helps describe yarn size but does not prove durability by itself
Gauge	Distance between adjacent stitch rows	Determines how many tufting rows can fit across one metre
Stitch rate	Number of stitches along a stitch row over a stated distance	Combines with gauge to determine stitch density
Density	Number of stitches or tufts per square metre	Useful only when the counting method is clear
Face weight	Mass of the turf yarn per square metre, normally excluding backing	Helps compare the amount of yarn in products with similar constructions
Backing and coating	Primary backing layers plus the material securing the tufts	Affects dimensional stability, tuft binding, handling, and drainage design
Roll size	Finished roll width and length	Affects seams, cutting waste, container planning, and installation labour

1. Pile Height: Taller Does Not Automatically Mean Better

Pile height is the length of the yarn measured above the backing. It is normally stated in millimetres. Buyers often use it as a quick product label, but pile height alone says little about how dense, resilient, or durable the turf will be.

A taller pile may create a softer or fuller landscaping appearance, but it can also require more yarn support, brushing, or infill depending on the construction. A shorter pile may be the better choice for putting surfaces, some gyms, balconies, display areas, or applications where ball behaviour and stability matter more than a lawn-like feel.

When comparing pile height, also check:

whether the measurement includes the backing;
whether the turf contains straight yarn, curled thatch yarn, or both;
the yarn face weight and density;
whether infill is required for the intended application; and
the acceptable production tolerance stated by the supplier.

2. Yarn Material and Shape: Read Beyond the Colour

Artificial turf yarn is commonly made from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), nylon, or combinations of these materials. The material choice should be evaluated together with the yarn profile, additives, application, and complete turf construction.

PE is widely used for straight landscaping and sports yarn where a softer hand is desirable. PP is commonly used for curled thatch yarn and some economical or specialist products. Nylon can provide strong resilience in appropriate applications, but material name alone does not tell you the finished product’s performance.

Yarn profiles may be described as flat, C-shaped, U-shaped, W-shaped, diamond, stem, wave, or other proprietary designs. These labels can help identify a product family, but they should not replace sample evaluation. Check how the yarn looks under different light, how it recovers after compression, and how the complete construction responds to the expected traffic.

3. Dtex: A Yarn-Mass Measurement, Not a Quality Score

Dtex, or decitex, states the mass in grams of 10,000 metres of yarn. For example, a higher Dtex value represents a heavier yarn system over the same length. However, buyers should not interpret a higher number as automatic proof of better durability.

The meaning of Dtex depends on how the yarn bundle is constructed. Filament count, filament width and thickness, polymer formulation, yarn shape, tuft design, and the number of ends included in the stated value all matter. Ask the supplier whether the Dtex value covers only the straight yarn, only the curled yarn, or the combined yarn system.

Use Dtex to understand and compare yarn construction. Use face weight, density, physical testing, and application requirements to judge the finished turf.

4. Gauge, Stitch Rate, and Density: Three Connected Numbers

These specifications are often confused because they all describe tufting geometry.

Gauge

Gauge is the spacing between adjacent stitch rows. Common values are expressed in inches, such as 3/8 inch, 5/8 inch, or 3/4 inch. A smaller row spacing allows more stitch rows across one metre, but that does not guarantee a higher overall density because the stitch rate may differ.

Stitch Rate

Stitch rate is the number of stitches along a row over a specified length. Suppliers may quote stitches per 10 cm, per metre, or another unit. Always normalize the unit before comparing quotations.

Density

Density is generally stated as stitches per square metre. It is calculated from the number of tufting rows per metre and the number of stitches per metre along each row.

As a simplified example, a 3/8-inch gauge provides approximately 105 rows per metre. If the stitch rate is 18 stitches per 10 cm, that equals 180 stitches per metre. Multiplying the two gives approximately 18,900 stitches per square metre.

Before accepting a density figure, ask whether the supplier is counting stitches, tufts, or individual yarn blades. The reported number is useful only when both parties use the same definition.

5. Face Weight and Total Weight: Do Not Mix the Two

Face weight normally refers to the mass of the yarn above the backing per square metre. Total weight includes the yarn, primary backing, secondary backing, and coating. These figures answer different questions.

Face weight can help compare how much yarn is used in two products with similar yarn systems. Total weight is more relevant to handling, transport, roll weight, and some installation decisions. Neither measurement alone confirms wear resistance, tuft bind, UV stability, or system suitability.

When reviewing quotations, confirm:

whether the weight is face weight or total finished weight;
whether the tolerance is stated;
whether thatch yarn is included in the face weight; and
whether the value is a target, minimum, or typical production result.

6. Backing, Coating, and Drainage

The backing holds the tufted structure together and helps the turf remain dimensionally stable. A specification may list one or more primary backing layers, reinforcement, and a secondary coating such as latex or polyurethane.

Do not select a backing only because one coating name sounds more premium. The correct choice depends on the application, manufacturing control, climate, installation method, required tuft bind, flexibility, transport, and project documentation.

Drainage also needs a clear definition. Perforated turf allows water to pass through drainage holes, while other constructions may use more permeable backing systems. A drainage claim should be supported by a stated test method and result when drainage performance is critical. Site grading, base preparation, seam design, and maintenance will also affect the installed system.

7. Roll Dimensions, Colour, and Production Tolerances

Roll width and length influence more than freight. They affect the number and direction of seams, cutting waste, installation labour, roll handling, warehouse space, and how efficiently a container can be loaded.

For each item, confirm the nominal roll size, acceptable length tolerance, how partial rolls are handled, and whether the product can be mixed with other items in the same shipment.

Colour should be approved using a physical sample where possible. Screen images, lighting, yarn direction, pile orientation, and production batches can change the perceived shade. For repeat orders, identify the previous order and discuss colour-control expectations before production.

8. Specifications Must Match the Application

A specification should be judged against the intended use, not against a universal “premium turf” formula.

Application	Questions to Prioritize	Common Buying Risk
Landscaping and residential resale	Local colour preference, softness, pile recovery, drainage, roll size, budget	Buying by pile height alone and overlooking market preference
Commercial landscape	Traffic, cleaning, access, fire requirements, dimensional stability, replacement plan	Using a residential-looking sample without checking project documentation
Pets	Drainage system, cleaning access, pile structure, backing, installation design	Treating the turf product as the complete odour-control system
Children’s areas	Project safety requirements, system build-up, impact attenuation, maintenance	Assuming a soft hand proves compliance or fall protection
Football and other sports	Sport, system design, infill, shock pad, ball and player interaction, governing requirements	Approving the carpet specification without assessing the complete installed system
Gym and functional training	Equipment use, sled traffic, seams, friction, cleaning, subfloor	Selecting a tall decorative turf for a high-friction training application

For sports projects in particular, carpet data are only part of the decision. Programmes such as the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf evaluate the performance of the installed turf system. Always confirm the applicable project or governing-body requirements before finalizing the product.

You can also review Tiger Lily Garden’s application ranges for landscaping artificial grass and sports artificial grass.

How to Compare Two Artificial Grass Quotations

Confirm the application. State the market, installation area, expected traffic, climate, and project requirements.
Normalize the units. Convert stitch rate, roll size, weight, and area measurements into the same units.
Compare yarn systems. Check material, shape, colour combination, straight and thatch yarn, Dtex definition, and pile height.
Compare tufting construction. Review gauge, stitch rate, calculated density, and face weight together.
Compare backing systems. Check primary layers, coating, drainage design, finished weight, and any relevant test information.
Compare commercial terms separately. MOQ, packaging, roll length, quantity tolerance, lead time, Incoterm, and payment terms should not be confused with product quality.
Approve a representative sample. Record the approved specification and sample reference before mass production.

If one quotation is significantly cheaper, identify which construction or commercial assumption changed. The difference may be reasonable, but it should be visible rather than hidden behind a similar product name.

Common Buying Mistakes

Choosing the highest number in every column. More pile height, Dtex, or density may increase material use without improving the intended application.
Comparing density without the counting method. Stitches, tufts, and blades are not interchangeable units.
Comparing total weight with face weight. This can make one quotation appear heavier even when it contains less yarn.
Ignoring production tolerance. A target value and a guaranteed minimum are not the same commercial commitment.
Approving colour from a screen. Physical samples and batch references provide a more reliable basis.
Treating the turf as the complete system. Base preparation, drainage, seams, infill, shock pads, installation, and maintenance can determine final performance.
Requesting a price before defining the application. Suppliers may quote different constructions, making the final comparison misleading.

Buyer Checklist: Information to Put on Your RFQ

A clear RFQ helps suppliers recommend comparable products and prepare a more accurate quotation. Include the information that is relevant to your project:

country or target market;
application and expected traffic;
indoor or outdoor use;
preferred pile height and appearance;
yarn material, shape, colour, and Dtex if already specified;
gauge, stitch rate, density, or target face weight;
backing, coating, and drainage requirements;
required tests, certificates, or project standards;
roll width and length;
estimated quantity and order frequency;
packaging or private-label requirements;
destination port and requested Incoterm; and
target sample, production, and delivery schedule.

Final Recommendation

The best way to read an artificial grass specification sheet is to treat it as a connected construction, not a scoreboard. Start with the application. Then compare yarn, tufting geometry, yarn weight, backing, drainage, roll format, testing, and commercial terms on the same basis.

A lower specification may be the correct commercial choice for a price-sensitive or low-traffic market. A more demanding project may require stronger documentation, system testing, or tighter production controls. The right product is the one that meets the buyer’s actual requirements without paying for features that do not create value.

If you are comparing products for your market, review Tiger Lily Garden’s artificial grass range or send your application, target specification, quantity, and destination to sales@tigerlilygarden.com. The team can help you identify suitable options for sampling and comparison.

How to Read an Artificial Grass Specification Sheet: A Beginner’s Guide for Buyers