The short answer
A melted, shriveled stripe or patch near a house is almost always reflected sunlight. Energy-efficient (low-E) windows, glass doors and some metal surfaces can bounce concentrated sun onto the turf hot enough to melt the fibers. Manufacturer warranties exclude this kind of melt, and patching it only works if the reflection is dealt with first, otherwise the new turf melts in the same place.
The short version
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What causes it? | Sunlight reflected off windows, glass or metal, concentrated onto the turf |
| Does warranty cover it? | No. Reflective-surface melt is excluded from manufacturer warranties |
| Can it be repaired? | Yes, by replacing the damaged section, once the reflection is addressed |
| What if I just patch it? | The patch melts again in the same spot |
| Can it be prevented? | Spot the risk before install, and choose the product with it in mind |
How can a window melt turf?
Low-E glass is designed to reflect heat back outside. When that reflection lands on the yard, the concentrated spot can get hot enough to melt the turf's plastic fibers. It usually shows up as a stripe or patch that follows the sun's reflection across the yard at certain times of day, often in a spot that gets the reflection most of the year.
Why isn't it covered by warranty?
Turf warranties cover the product holding its UV stability and strength under normal use. Melt from reflected heat isn't a defect in the turf. It's an outside heat source, and manufacturers list it as an exclusion. The same goes for other heat damage: fireworks, cigarettes, grills and idling vehicles can all melt the fibers.
How do you fix it for good?
- Deal with the reflection first. The window or surface causing it has to be addressed, or the repair repeats.
- Replace the damaged section. The melted turf is cut out and a matching piece is seamed in.
- Consider the product for that spot. Where the reflection risk can't be fully removed, the yarn type for that area is a choice worth making at the estimate.
Florida note
Southwest Florida's year-round sun and the energy-efficient glass common in newer homes make reflection melt a real risk here, not a rare one. Looking for it is part of planning any install near the house.
The honest downside Some homes will always have a reflection somewhere. A melt repair is a straightforward job, but it isn't a warranty claim, and it can come back if the source stays. Fixing the reflection is the only permanent answer.
The gotcha Melt catches a lot of new turf owners by surprise, and it's rarely mentioned at sale time. Ask any installer to walk the yard with you and point out where windows or glass doors could throw reflected sun onto the new turf, before you pick a layout.
How AJ Turf handles this
We look for reflection risk when we walk the yard at the free onsite estimate, so it's part of the plan instead of a surprise. Melted patches on existing turf are one of our standard repairs: we confirm the source, cut out the damage and seam in a matching section. Repairs start with a free onsite assessment, with no minimum job size.
Questions people ask.
How do I know if it's reflection melt and not something else?
Reflection melt usually sits near the house in line with a window or glass door, and the damage looks shriveled or glossy rather than torn or worn. If it lines up with where the sun bounces off the glass in the afternoon, that's the answer.
Will a patch match the rest of my lawn?
A patch is cut from turf matched as closely as possible and laid in the same direction, but turf made in different batches can vary slightly in color. A close match is normal; a perfect match isn't always possible.
Updated 2026-10-13
