Question
Hi Marc,
I reside in Las Vegas so the heat and lack of rain have a lot to do with my considering synthetic grass.
I have a small grass area in my backyard and we really enjoy the look of it. Will synthetic grass give apprx the same apperance? What is involved in laying it down. The yard is apprx only 400 sq. ft. Thanks for any knowledge you can share in this area.

Don Beck

Answer
I heard last year about your city's "bounty" on turf grass...Here in Reno, natural turf is being installed at a ridiculous rate, as if water is flowing down from on-high, without end.  I was kinda hoping we would follow your community's leadership and do the same up here!!  Nope.

To your question: Here is a really cool website with videos on how the process works - http://www.easyturf.com/

First you tear out the old lawn (if there is one), then lay down drainage pipes or grates, if so desired, then slope it to these drains using decomposed granite (DG) or some other compactable (is that a word?) base material.  Then its cut & fit of the artifical turf carpeting.  Then, add granular fill on tope of this, to "hide" the roots & carpet backing, which can fall apart faster, if exposed directly to sunlight.

There are also some helpful Q&A/FAQs at this website...Unfortunately, this particular product is not available in Nevada, yet.  The closest to you is southern California, but there are LOTS of vendors with similar products!!  Check on-line, or I like to just wait for the Fall or Spring Home & Garden shows that come around every year, and local vendors "come out of the woodwork" to show you why their brand is the better choice over the other guy's.

Expect to pay atleast $5 to $6/square foot, installed.  Up here, pouring it solid with concete is $7 to $7.50/square foot, so make your selection with this in mind.

Hope it helps!  -Marc