A lawn enhances your property and provides a space for at-home outdoor activities, but it can be terribly difficult to maintain. Artificial grass, also known as synthetic grass, is the perfect alternative for when you want the beauty and value of a natural lawn without the hassle of careful maintenance. However, there are still considerations that need to be made before making a purchase. Let CW Jones’ buyer’s guide to artificial grass in Bristol help you make the right choice.
Artificial grass is made of synthetic materials such as nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene. These are plastic fibres that have been designed to emulate the natural green of real grass as well as the sensation of touching and walking on it.
Advances in artificial turf technology have made artificial grass almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Gone are the days when you could easily tell fake grass from a mile off, with its bright and uniformly green characteristics, feeling plastic to the touch. Now, you can have a realistic organic-looking synthetic grass lawn that also feels good and requires little management.
There are so many advantages to choosing artificial grass over real grass.
LOW MAINTENANCE
Artificial grass will keep the same length and thickness forever, meaning there’s never going to be a need for mowing or trimming. It’s synthetic so you don’t have to worry about watering or fertilising. Bugs don’t feed on or nest in artificial grass, removing the need for dedicated pest control. Rain water drains easily if artificial grass is properly installed. Whether it’s hot or cold or dry or wet, artificial grass stays a lively green throughout the year, lasting for as long as 10 years.
LONG-TERM MONEY SAVER
Because you no longer have to regularly spend on lawn care, you are getting rid of all the associated costs. No more buying all sorts of lawn maintenance equipment, hiring pest exterminators, or paying ever-increasing water bills that are also bad for the environment. The extra upfront cost compared to growing real grass pays for itself in the long run.
PET AND CHILD FRIENDLY
Families with pets and children don’t have to worry about the safety of their little loved ones with artificial grass. The materials are non-toxic, so your kids and animal friends can play on artificial grass to their hearts’ content. Any mess they leave stays behind, as optimal drainage allows for simple spray cleaning, and there’s no mud that could lead to dirty footprints inside your property.
NO ALLERGIES
Allergens are a serious concern for many people depending on the season, which can lead to a miserable experience every time they set foot on a natural lawn. Artificial grass produces no such allergens, while keeping much less allergy-producing debris like dust and pollen compared to real grass.
There are four major considerations you should be aware of when buying artificial grass.
PILE HEIGHT
Pile height refers to how long the blades of grass are.
In general, the taller the grass, the more organic it looks, as it simulates a lush natural lawn. A pile height of 30 to 40 mm is suitable for this particular aesthetic. Do note that long artificial grass may bend over time and look flat years down the line.
Short grass of around 15 to 25 mm is good if you prefer the look of a neatly trimmed lawn, and you expect to have a lot of activity on it.
25 to 30 mm is ideal if you want something in between.
PILE DENSITY
The number of grass blades per square metre determines artificial grass’ pile density.
The greater the density of the grass, the lusher it looks and the more comfortable it feels. Dense grass also lasts longer than low density grass under foot traffic.
You can have high pile density grass for areas in your lawn where you expect plenty of activity, then use low pile density grass for sections that will be purely decorative to avoid overspending.
PILE TYPE
You can choose to have your artificial grass styled in different ways.
Flat pile grass is short, thin, and budget-friendly. Curled pile grass looks more realistic than flat pile grass for a slightly higher price. Straight pile grass is even longer but maintains the rigid shape of flat pile grass.
Straight and curled is the most natural-looking artificial grass, as it combines straight and curled blades. This is the premium option for pile type.
COLOUR
Your choice of colour ultimately is a matter of preference, but it’s important to know that good-looking artificial grass uses more than just one shade of green. You want to look for a mix of greens, yellows, and browns to achieve the realistic look of natural grass. With varying shades in each blade and the right tone of brown at the base, artificial grass can be mistaken for the real thing.
With all four factors in mind, ask for a sample so you can get first-hand experience with the options on your short list.
Installing artificial grass requires a decent amount of preparation. You can’t just lay it in front of your property, especially not on existing grass, which has to be removed first. Laying it over concrete or decking is possible, but you want to ensure there’s proper drainage and that you have a lawn pad to make the surface smooth and cushioned.
You need weed fabric at the very bottom to prevent weeds from growing under the artificial grass. On top of it is the base material, which is typically a type of sand or granite dust. The artificial turf is then laid over the base material. Infill is spread across the grass to weight it down and help the blades stand up. Adhesives may also be used to keep the grass stable on the ground.
This is a somewhat simplified explanation for installing artificial grass, and we highly recommend hiring professionals for artificial grass installation in Bristol.
Cleaning artificial grass is straightforward. Use a rake or broom to sweep away debris, dust, and leaves. Pick up large solid messes like pet droppings, then hose down the grass lightly. You can also use turf deodoriser if odours become a problem.
It is not recommended to lay artificial grass on clay soil, as clay soil has very poor drainage. The rain will clog it up, and the heat will dry it out. You need a stone layer sub-base to work around the drainage issue.
You don’t need to put underlay under artificial grass unless you are installing it over concrete or decking. You may still want underlay to gain additional benefits such as comfier grass, extra protection, and a smoother installation process.
It is advisable to let newly installed artificial grass sit for 24 hours before walking on it. You need to let whatever adhesives are used to firmly set, lest you risk the seams coming apart and the grass being displaced.
Black patches on artificial grass are a sign of algae or mould growth. This is not because soil is coming up from underneath it. The problem lies with drainage getting blocked and moisture collecting at the base of the grass, whether it’s through heavy rain or water dripping from overhanging trees. The growths aggravate the issue, as they also block drainage.
Regular maintenance prevents algae or mould growth, but if you already spot the signs, treat it immediately with artificial grass cleaners.
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