Don't like cutting grass? Here's an alternative

If you've visited or passed by the recently-opened Phi Dental Care office at 23 Great Northern Road, you've probably noticed the unique appearance of the grass on the building's front lawn.

No, it's not one big putting green.

The "grass" is actually artificial turf.

Phi Dental Care, owned and operated by Dr. Lawrence Chong, is the first (and so far only) local commercial entity to purchase artificial turf.

The installation work was performed by the Sault's PAC Construction Group.

PAC Construction Group, the only local artificial turf installer, has so far also laid down the turf at a play area at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School as well as one private residence.

"We do have quite a few orders," said Paul Caputo, PAC Construction Group president, speaking to SooToday.

PAC put the product, which is made from plastic threading and purchased from an out-of-town Canadian supplier, into use April 1 after a trial period, Caputo said.

"We launched it this year and it was just something different because there are so many landscapers in Sault Ste. Marie, and I just figured I wanted to do something different, I need to find that niche, so I put some money into it and made that move," Caputo said.

The cost of the turf could range anywhere from $9 to $14 a square foot and comes in different weights, such as 60, 70 and 80 ounces, Caputo said, adding PAC can also easily install a private, backyard putting green for homeowners who are golf enthusiasts.

"I'm seeing a lot of artificial turf in southern Ontario, definitely, especially the city of Windsor and out West," Caputo said.

Bans on certain weed-killers by the Ontario government in recent years have driven some to go with artificial turf, Caputo said.

"I'm definitely seeing a lot of the bigger cities go that way, and it's feasible to do a small front yard, condo area or common area with artificial turf, and people with trailers, they're putting it outside their trailer doors."

"I really feel a lot of newly built homes and commercial buildings will have it."

"There's no annual maintenance, no grass cutting, it saves your time, no fertilizing and you're always going to have the greenest lawn."

"I guarantee it for 12 years," Caputo said, but added a turf job could last as long as 25 years or more.

Caputo said stains on the turf sink down into the gravel and concrete surface underneath it, or can be cleaned with Dawn dish soap.

Caputo said PAC Construction also sells specialized cleaners. 

"I decided I wanted to go with artificial grass for environmental and economic reasons," Chong told SooToday. 

"The reason I didn't want to deal with real grass is it could become another site for more pollen and weeds, and secondly, I don't need to water it, I don't want to use valuable fresh water we have."

"I don't have to mow it, so I never have to use fossil fuels through mowing it."

"In the long term it's going to be a cost saving for me in about four or five years…it should last easily 20 years," Chong said.

The artificial turf, securely pinned down on a gravel and concrete surface, won't be rolled up during winter.

"We will stick down some little flags just to make sure the sidewalk plow doesn't get too far in, and that's pretty much it…(and) it's just below the level of the sidewalk."

The biggest issue in regard to cleaning the turf, Chong said, is people carelessly throwing their litter on it (which, of course, can happen to any lawn, real or artificial).

"It's visible, quite a bit…comments about the turf have been 99 percent positive, everyone seems to love it," Chong said.

For more information, Caputo said you can check out PAC Construction's Facebook page or call 705-255-4544.