How To Choose The Best Artificial Grass
There are many things to consider when buying artificial grass in Pontefract. And if you are looking for the perfect landscaping material for your family garden, rooftop terrace, business premises, or commercial space, you’ll find all the information you need right here in our complete guide on how to choose the best artificial grass.
Thanks to advances in modern technology, synthetic grass is more realistic than ever
before, and as the demand for this luxurious landscaping material continues to grow
so does the choice of options available. You’ll find something to suit every budget
and taste on the UK market today, but before you go green, you need to find the perfect
turf for your garden, based on factors such as usage, colour, and pile height.
Budgeting For Artificial Grass
Like most things in life, there’s good, bad, and dare we say, ugly when it comes to
imitation grass, and while it may be tempting to save a few pounds by buying cheap
astroturf, you could end up disappointed. A superior synthetic lawn will not only last
10-years or more, but it will also look and feel as good as the real thing, and by
spending a few extra pounds per square metre, you will get much higher quality material.
When budgeting for artificial grass, you should see it as a long-term investment,
rather than just a gardening expense, and budget for it accordingly. Once installed,
you’ll save money on your water and electricity bills, you’ll never have to buy
fertiliser, weed killer, or pesticides again, and you’ll no longer need the services of
your local gardener. You can sell your lawnmower and grass trimmer, you can turf-out
those bags of grass feed, and you can throw away your weeding gloves for good.
Artificial turf is a lifestyle investment that will transform the most tired-looking
gardens into an evergreen oasis, and do so for less than you think. With quality
imitation grass costing between £10.99 and £21.99 per square metre, less than the
price of a quality carpet, there really is something to suit every budget and, if
you shop around for a special offer, you could get your hands on superior synthetic
grass for less.
Important Things To Consider When Choosing Artificial Grass
As not all artificial grass is made equal, you need to weigh up the pros and cons of
each type of turf depending on your personal needs and preferences. While your budget
may be the determining factor, there are several other points to consider when investing
in this type of landscaping material, as we’ll outline below.
How Often Are You Going To Use It?
It may seem like a strange question, but it will be a huge determining factor when
it comes to choosing the right artificial grass for your home. If your children and pets
are going to be playing on it every day, you are going to need a different type of
astroturf than you would if you were to use your lawn just once or twice per month.
The higher the traffic, the more durable it needs to be, and if you and your family
love spending time outdoors, you should look at investing in a superior synthetic turf
that can withstand daily use. For this type of installation, we’d recommend buying the
best artificial grass you can afford, but bear pile height in mind (we’ll come to this
next), and make sure it is both child-safe and pet-friendly.
If your imitation lawn is more for show than daily use, you can go for a slightly
cheaper material but, the more you pay, the more realistic it is likely to look.
If you want long luxurious blades and natural-looking brown thatch, superior fake
grass remains the best choice.
When it comes to business landscapes, commercial areas, and inside applications,
you may be able to get away with budget or mid-range synthetic grass, particularly
if you are not going to use it a lot. Many of these products look natural and feel
soft, so you shouldn’t rule them out altogether, but it’s all about maximising your
investment. If you choose a low-quality turf, you should prepare for the fact that it
might not last as long as you had hoped.
Why Choosing The Right Pile Height Is So Important
Just like carpet, artificial grass comes in various pile heights, and the longer the pile, the more
luxurious it looks and feels. With this type of landscaping material, pile heights can
vary from 10mm up to 60mm and beyond, but not all lengths are suitable for domestic
installations.
While aesthetically pleasing, long grass fibres are more likely to fall flat, particularly
in high-traffic areas, and this can make it look fake. We, therefore, recommend that you
reserve artificial grass with a pile height of 50mm or more for low-traffic areas,
interior design features, and areas where it will not get trampled on. It’s more suitable
for show gardens than family gardens, and while it may look luxurious, it will require
regular power brushing to keep the blades standing upright.
At the other end of the scale, fake grass with a pile height of just 20mm is best suited
to sports fields, children’s playgrounds, putting greens, and indoor applications such
as tradeshows and events. With a shorter pile, it is an exceptionally durable material
that requires minimal power brushing but, it is not as soft as the longer alternatives,
and it tends to look less realistic than astroturf with longer blades.
For domestic garden installations, artificial grass with a pile height of 30mm – 40mm
is the most popular choice. It’s durable enough to withstand daily use, it’s long enough
to look as good as real grass, it’s soft underfoot, and best of all, it requires
minimal maintenance. It delivers when it comes to resilience, touch, and aesthetics,
making it a great all-rounder and the ideal choice for family gardens and commercial
spaces.
Artificial Grass Colour: 50 Shades of Green
Artificial grass comes in just about every shade of green available, and while
it can be tempting to pick a bright green turf to revamp a shaded outdoor area, you
may regret it in the long run. Natural grass has multiple different shades, and so you
should pick fake grass that mimics that with a mix of colours if you want a
realistic-looking lawn.
Cheap plastic grass will generally deliver a mix of green fibres, but it can still look fake
compared to the superior alternatives that include brown thatch to create the illusion
of dead blades of grass that natural lawns have. It is this brown thatch that gives
artificial grass a truly realistic feel, and by combining it with varying shades of
green, it looks as good as the real thing.
Artificial Grass Weight and Density
Weight might not be something you would automatically think of when buying synthetic
grass but, if you are going to install it on a rooftop terrace, balcony, or supported
area, it is something to consider. The higher the quality, the more your astroturf is
likely to weigh, and this is due to the density.
Artificial grass density refers to the number of synthetic fibres per square metre of
turf. Superior fake grass has more fibres than the budget alternatives, and as such,
it has a higher density and weighs more. Check the weight of your preferred astroturf
with your local supplier and compare it with the load-bearing capacity of the area in
which you intend to install it to make sure you don't overload.
Artificial Grass Backing: Head Back To Basics
One of the main differences between low-quality and superior artificial grass is the type
of backing used. Backing materials typically consist of a nonwoven textile (primary-backing),
usually polypropylene, topped with a substantial layer of polyurethane or latex
(secondary-backing) to support the synthetic grass fibres. The backing should be pre-punched
for drainage to prevent waterlogging, and UV stabilised to protect against fading,
if not, your new lawn will not last.
While most artificial grass materials have a stable backing that can withstand adverse
weather conditions and everyday wear and tear, cheaper options are often lacking when
it comes to thickness. To save money, manufacturer’s will apply less latex or
polyurethane to the nonwoven textile, but this creates a flimsy product, and so
it is not money well spent.
Request artificial grass samples before you buy, and spend as much time checking the
backing of the material as you do the blades. No drainage holes? Can you separate
the primary-backing from the secondary-backing? If so, you might want to shop around
for a better product.
With Artificial Super Grass, you can be confident that you’re getting the best artificial
grass products available in the UK today and as we regularly discount our superior
synthetic grass, we can help you landscape your garden for less. Get in touch with your
friendly customer service team today. We offer free consultations and no-obligation
quotations.