Burn Marks on Artificial Grass? Causes, Prevention & Fixes
Published: 19 June 2025
Artificial grass is an increasingly popular choice for homeowners looking to enjoy a low-maintenance, green lawn all year round. However, in rare instances, customers may discover unexplained burn marks or scorched patches appearing on their artificial grass lawn. It’s important to understand that these marks don’t appear spontaneously — there’s always a cause.
If you’re dealing with a scorch or burn mark on your artificial lawn and are certain you haven’t done anything to cause it, it’s still highly likely that a secondary heat source is responsible. In this post, we’ll explain the common causes, how to prevent them, and what can be done to fix the damage.
Why Do Burn Marks Appear on Artificial Grass?
From time to time, we receive reports that a burn mark has ‘suddenly appeared’ on an artificial lawn. The most common response from homeowners is that they have no idea how it happened and insist they’ve done nothing to cause it. But unfortunately, artificial grass cannot burn or melt on its own. For any damage to occur, a heat source must come into contact with or affect the synthetic fibres.
Here are the most common culprits:
1. Sunlight Reflected by Windows or Mirrored Surfaces
One of the most overlooked causes of burn marks on artificial grass lawns is the intensified heat from reflected sunlight. In the hotter months, certain windows — particularly double-glazed, south-facing, or low-emissivity glass — can act like a magnifying glass, concentrating sunlight into a focused beam of heat. Similarly, mirrored or shiny surfaces like garden mirrors, glass furniture, or metal panels can also reflect sunlight onto the grass with enough intensity to melt or scorch the fibres.
The likelihood of this happening depends on several factors:
- The aspect of your house
- The time of day the sun hits a particular window
- The proximity of your artificial lawn to the reflective surface
Although it’s rare, the effect can cause serious damage in a short time.
Prevention Tip:
If your garden layout creates conditions where this is possible, we recommend using non-reflective window film on problematic windows. These films reduce glare and minimise the risk of artificial grass scorching without impacting the aesthetic of your windows.
2. Hot Gardening Equipment
During garden maintenance, it’s common to put down hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, or strimmers on the grass while tidying up. However, the engines or metal parts of this equipment can retain heat and scorch the artificial grass fibres if placed directly on the surface.
It may not be immediately obvious that the equipment is hot enough to cause damage — especially on a warm day when everything feels hot to the touch already — but these heat levels can still be high enough to deform the yarn.
Prevention Tip:
Always rest hot tools on a hard surface or a designated heatproof mat instead of directly on your lawn.
3. Barbecues and Outdoor Cooking Equipment
Barbecues are a summer staple, but they’re another common source of damage to artificial grass. Whether it’s placing a hot BBQ directly on the lawn or accidentally dropping burning charcoal or hot utensils, even the smallest lapse in caution can leave a permanent mark on your lawn.
Prevention Tip:
Ensure your BBQ is placed on a heat-resistant platform, paving, or patio area. Never position it directly on artificial grass, even temporarily.
4. Any Other Heated Objects or Surfaces
It’s worth remembering that any object that gets hot — whether by use or from prolonged exposure to the sun — poses a potential risk to your artificial lawn. This could include fire pits, outdoor heaters, metal plant pots, or even children’s outdoor toys left in direct sunlight.
Prevention Tip:
During sunny periods, do a quick check of any metal or glass objects in the garden to see if they’ve become hot to the touch before placing them on the grass.
What To Do If You Spot Burn Marks
If you’ve noticed burn or scorch marks on your artificial grass lawn, there are a few options depending on the extent of the damage:
- Small patches can sometimes be carefully cut out and replaced with a matching offcut from your original installation.
- Larger areas may require a professional repair or partial reinstallation.
- Always speak to your installer or supplier — they’ll be able to assess the damage and advise on the best course of action.
Conclusion
While burn marks on artificial grass lawns are rare, they are almost always preventable. By understanding how reflected sunlight, hot equipment, and outdoor items can interact with your artificial turf, you can take simple steps to protect your investment. With a little awareness and a few preventative measures, your lawn will remain green, clean, and undamaged throughout the year.
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