How Long Does Artificial Grass Last?
Artificial grass is the gardening trend of the decade and, if you are thinking about installing artificial-grass in Selby, we’re sure that you have a long list of questions. How much does it cost to buy and install? How much maintenance does it require? How long will it last? These are all vital points, and if you are to make the most of your investment, you should research the various products available.
In this complete guide to how long artificial grass lasts, we’ll compare budget, mid-range, and superior synthetic landscaping solutions to help you decide which product is right for your garden based on factors such as quality, affordability, and life-expectancy.
Choosing The Right Artificial Grass For Your Garden
Synthetic grass has come a long way in recent years, so much so that it is now the most popular landscaping material used in the UK today. Thanks to advances in technology, manufacturers have replaced the artificial-looking astroturf of the 1960s with realistic imitation grass that looks and feels as good the real thing. It has long blades in various shades of green to give it a truly authentic look, it has integrated drainage holes to ensure optimal performance on rainy days, and it is both child-safe and pet-friendly.
Fake grass has revolutionised the way we upgrade our gardens, and as we’re spending more time outdoors than ever before, it is no surprise that we’re ditching the real turf in favour of low-maintenance synthetic lawns.
But, as a manufactured material, artificial grass comes in many shapes and forms. The market is flooded with cheap turf for gardeners on a budget, but is it money well spent? In this guide, we’ll look at the differences between the different types of fake grass available to help you decide, but before we do, there are four key points to consider:
- 1. What Are The Blades Made From?
Nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene are the most popular materials used to make synthetic grass. While nylon is the strongest and most durable of the three, it is also the most expensive and so many manufacturers tend to use polypropylene or polyethylene, with the latter being the most durable of the two.
For everyday use in family gardens and commercial spaces, polyethylene artificial grass is the most cost-effective option and, while it is slightly less resilient than nylon, the price difference makes it much more favourable.
- 2. What Type of Backing Does It Have?
Good backing is essential with artificial grass. A quality product will consist of two layers, a primary-backing made from non-woven material and a secondary-backing made from latex or polyurethane. These are the foundations of astroturf, and if they are not right, your synthetic lawn will begin to break up in a matter of weeks.
The backing should be pre-punched with drainage holes to ensure it drains effectively. You can see these quite clearly, so always request free samples of artificial grass from your preferred supplier and check the back to see if it has these holes. Try to pull the primary and secondary backing materials apart; quality materials won’t budge, so if you can separate the two membranes, you should consider looking for something else.
- 3. How Often Are You Going To Use It?
This may seem like a strange question, but usage is a vital factor when choosing artificial grass. The more you use it, the more durable it needs to be, and while long, luxurious piles may seem like the perfect choice, they are not ideal for areas that receive significant amounts of footfall.
If you are creating a show garden with synthetic grass, then you can use whatever pile height you like, but for family gardens and commercial spaces that are going to see a lot of traffic, you should look for an astroturf with a pile height of no more than 30-40mm. This will ensure it stands upright and retains a natural appearance.
- 4. Professional Installation or DIY
Are you going to install artificial grass yourself, or are you going to call in the professionals? If you are going to fit it yourself and not overly confident in your abilities, it makes sense to buy a budget fake grass. While modern materials are easy to install and there are plenty of installation guides available to DIY enthusiasts, you’ll waste less money if things go wrong with cheap plastic grass.
To maximise your investment, we strongly recommend having your artificial grass installed by your local landscaping company. It may cost more than doing it yourself, but with this type of installation, you can invest in superior synthetic grass, safe in the knowledge that it will last.
Now you know what to lookout for, we’ll take a closer look at the three best-selling artificial grass options available at Artificial Super Grass.
Budget Artificial Grass
As the name would suggest, budget artificial grass is a low-cost material for gardeners who want to upgrade their outdoor space without spending a fortune. While it is still high quality, it doesn’t feature the high-end finishes of mid-range and superior synthetic grass, and as such, it looks slightly less realistic.
Cheap artificial grass has shorter 20mm blades in various shades of green, but as there is no brown thatch underneath, it looks too good to be true. But it still has its benefits. With a shorter pile, budget astroturf is durable and ideal for everyday installations such as pet-runs, putting greens, and rooftop terraces.
Artificial Super Grass budget turf is pre-punched with holes, so it works just as well as the premium alternatives when it comes to drainage, and it is UV protected to prevent fading. It is child-safe and pet-friendly so you can install it with confidence in family homes, and as it is easy to self-install, it is ideal for DIY enthusiasts who want to have a go at fitting it themselves.
Many cheaper products on the market lack these key features, which is perhaps why budget fake grass has a bad reputation, but there are some top-quality materials out there, you just need to know where to look.
Average Price: £10.99 per m2
Best For: Low-cost installations such as pet-runs, balconies, and sports surfaces
Life-Expectancy: 5-years or more
Value For Money:6/10
Mid-Range Artificial Grass
Mid-range synthetic grass is taller than budget grass with a pile height of 30mm, and it has brown thatch to give it a realistic look. A popular choice for schools, sports arenas, and exhibitions, this versatile landscaping material is suitable for a wide range of applications and with a single installation guaranteed to last at least 7-years, it’s a smart investment for homeowners and businesses.
Like all the astroturf in the Artificial Super Grass collection, this mid-range product features holes for drainage, it is UV stabilised to prevent fading, and it is safe for children and pets. It looks as good as the real thing, it feels soft to the touch, and you can install it indoors and out to create a stylish entertainment space, durable sports surface, or an attention-grabbing stand for a tradeshow or event.
With its 30mm blades, mid-range synthetic grass is less likely to fall flat like the longer alternatives, and with no watering, weeding, fertilising, or mowing required, it will save you valuable time. At just £1 per metre square more expensive than budget fake grass, it is well worth the extra cash, and ideal for experienced DIYers who want to have a go at upgrading their garden themselves.
Average Price: £11.99 per m2
Best For: School playgrounds, exhibition stands, rental properties, and sports arenas
Life-Expectancy: 7-years or more
Value For Money:8/10
Superior Artificial Grass
The quality of superior synthetic grass speaks for itself. If you are looking for a luxurious landscaping material to upgrade your family home, add value to a rental property, or transform a new property development project, it should be your number #1 choice.
Made from premium quality materials, it features 38mm tall blades with brown thatch, hardwearing backing pre-punched with drainage holes, and it comes with full UV protection. Superior artificial grass looks and feels as good as the real thing, some say even better, and once installed, you can expect your imitation lawn to last for at least 10-years, making it a wise investment for any garden design project.
With a regular sales price of £21.99 per m2, artificial turf is considerably more expensive than the budget and mid-range alternatives, but it still comes in cheaper than a quality carpet. Artificial Super Grass currently has superior synthetic grass on sale for just £12.99 per m2, only £2 more per square metre than their budget offering, so the timing to buy has never been better.
Average Price: £21.99 per m2 (currently on sale for just £12.99 per m2)
Best For: Front and back gardens, business landscapes, new property developments, and hotels
Life-Expectancy: 10-years or more
Value For Money:10/10
For more information on the different types of artificial grass available, and how long each option will last, get in touch with Artificial Super Grass today. Free quotations and sample packs available.