Yes. Window reflections can create enough concentrated heat to melt or permanently damage artificial turf, and it's something homeowners and even some turf installers don't always think about until the damage has already occurred.

We've seen this problem firsthand on artificial turf installations throughout the Boise area.

On a recent artificial turf installation in Boise, we noticed two very strong reflections from the home's windows hitting the new turf. Because we've encountered window-reflection damage before, we recognized the potential problem and addressed it before the turf was damaged.

Certain energy-efficient windows, particularly some Low-E windows, can reflect and concentrate sunlight onto a relatively small area. As the sun moves throughout the day and season, that concentrated reflection can travel across the lawn and create temperatures high enough to soften, distort, or melt synthetic turf fibers.

What does window reflection damage look like?

We've replaced artificial turf at another Treasure Valley home where sections of the approximately 10-year-old turf had been badly burned by window reflection. According to the homeowner, the damage occurred shortly after the original installation and remained there for years.

We've also received calls from homeowners whose artificial grass was installed by another company and had begun melting. Unfortunately, once turf fibers have been melted or distorted by concentrated heat, they generally can't simply be brushed back into shape. The damaged turf may need to be repaired or replaced.

That's why identifying the source of the heat before damage occurs is so important.

How do you prevent windows from melting artificial turf?

For the Boise project shown here, we addressed the reflection at the source by installing specialized exterior window film designed to reduce or diffuse the concentrated reflection before it reached the artificial grass.

This isn't simply a matter of applying ordinary interior window tint. The appropriate product needs to be compatible with the window and designed to address exterior reflected sunlight. Depending on the window and situation, an exterior anti-reflective or turf-protection film can help disperse the concentrated reflection rather than allowing it to focus on one area of the lawn.

Should my turf installer check for window reflections?

We believe so—especially when artificial turf is being installed close to windows that receive strong direct sunlight.

When we're installing artificial turf in Boise and throughout the Treasure Valley, we're not only thinking about how the turf will look when we're finished. We look at drainage, base preparation, grading, seams, infill, surrounding landscaping, and potential sources of reflected heat that could affect the installation later.

Window reflection isn't an issue at every home, but when we see a strong concentrated reflection hitting the turf, we'd much rather address it before there's a melted spot in a brand-new lawn.

A great turf installation should still look great years after the installation crew leaves.