Why Superior Artificial Grass in Doncaster is Better
Artificial grass is changing the way we landscape our gardens today. And if you are looking to upgrade your outdoor space with quality turf that requires little maintenance, superior Artificial Grass in Doncaster should be your number #1 choice.
In this complete guide to synthetic landscaping, we'll explain why superior artificial grass is better than the budget alternatives, and we'll give you top tips on choosing the right turf for your family home, business, commercial space, or entertainment zone. But before we do that, we need to head back to basics.
What is Artificial Grass?
Also known as AstroTurf, imitation grass, plastic grass, and synthetic turf, artificial grass is a manufactured landscaping material that looks and feels like real grass. First developed in the 1960s as a durable sports surface for the Astrodome (hence the name AstroTurf), a sports stadium in Houston Texas, this green nylon carpet looked nothing like grass back then. But over the years, manufacturers have perfected the design with innovative materials and manufacturing techniques to create the luxurious, realistic imitation grass that we have come to love today.
No longer reserved for sports stadiums and market stalls, synthetic grass is a revered landscaping material used worldwide to create evergreen lawns, children's playgrounds, luxury entertainment spaces, and interior design features. It is one of the fastest-growing gardening trends in the UK, with thousands of British homeowners replacing their natural lawns with this low-maintenance alternative. And as it is easy to sanitise and keep clean, it is expected to become the new norm in life after Coronavirus.
But like all manufactured products, some plastic grass products are better than others, and if you want to invest your money wisely, you should do your research before you sign on the dotted line.
Buying Artificial Grass: Here’s What You Need to Know
Due to the popularity of synthetic grass in the UK, manufacturers have flooded the market with high-quality landscaping materials and sub-standard products to suit every budget. But if you want to maximise your investment, it makes sense to invest in the best that you can afford.
Cheap fake grass is not necessarily bad fake grass, but if it is not UV stabilised, backed with quality materials, and equipped with a drainage system, it could cause all kinds of problems to your under-soil, and you will likely have to replace it in just one or two years.
Superior artificial grass may cost more upfront, but it could add value to your property, particularly in the case of rentals, and it could save you time and money on gardening expenses and utility bills. Here we look at lifespan, price comparisons, and design features to help you weed out the good from the bad.
Superior Artificial Grass vs Budget Artificial Grass
Cost of Product & Installation
So how much does it cost to buy and install artificial grass in the UK? That depends on factors such as the size of the area that you want to cover and turf quality. But according to householdquotes.co.uk an independent price comparison site, you should expect to pay the following for imitation grass in the UK:
Budget grass: £17 per square metre
Mid-range grass: £22 per square metre
Superior grass: £27 per square metre
That said, it is worth shopping around. Artificial Super Grass, Doncaster's leading artificial grass company, currently
offers superior artificial grass for just £12.99 per square metre (down from £21.99). So you could save a fortune by speaking to a professional landscaping company, rather than spending hours searching online.
In the UK, professional artificial lawn installation can cost between £25 and £75 per square metre, but many superior products are simple to self-install, and by using the right tools, you could fit it yourself for less. If you would prefer to leave it to the professionals, consider having your synthetic grass installed in early spring or late autumn, and you could save on the peak season prices of the summer months.
Lifespan: How Long Does Artificial Grass Last?
What is the average lifespan of artificial grass? Again, this all depends on product quality and how you install it. You can buy the best fake grass in the UK, but if you do not install it properly, it will not last as it should. For this reason, you should consider your options carefully when attempting to fit a synthetic lawn as a DIY project, and if in doubt, call in the professionals who will guarantee their service.
Most synthetic turf comes with a manufacturer’s warranty:
Budget grass up to 5-years
Mid-range grass up to 7-years
Superior grass up to 10-years or more
When calculating the overall cost of your artificial lawn, you should consider the above. Paying a little extra upfront
could add 5-years to your investment, and with imitation grass prices predicted to increase in coming years, it makes
sense to buy the best now.
Aesthetics: Artificial Grass Pile Heights & Colours
The main difference between superior artificial grass and cheap artificial grass is aesthetics. The higher the quality the grass is, the more realistic it is likely to be, with pile height and colour playing a vital role in the overall look of an artificial lawn.
Measured in millimetres, imitation grass pile height can range anywhere between 10mm and 40mm depending on the quality of the product you choose. Shorter pile heights have a more synthetic look and are best suited to budget installations such as sports surfaces, advertising displays, pet runs. The shorter the pile height, the cheaper the product, but you might not achieve the natural look you are going for with short fake grass.
Mid-range synthetic grass comes in slightly longer with a pile of height of around 30mm, while super artificial grass is typically 38mm or longer. Longer blades give fake grass a more realistic appearance, but it does require slightly more maintenance with regular brushing needed to keep it looking its best. In terms of longevity, the extra work is a small price to pay for a lush, luxurious lawn.
Artificial grass colours also vary from product to product, with low-cost astroturf being brighter and greener than the mid-range and superior alternatives. The colour can make it look fake, especially if all the blades are the same shade of green, and less appealing to those who are looking for a natural-looking landscape.
Superior imitation grass has mixed blade colours and brown thatch to create the appearance of natural soil underneath. It is incredibly realistic, and when installed professionally, you have to look twice to see that it is not real. Rather than straight up and down, high-end astroturf has curved and curly blades, which not only makes it look like real grass, but it helps keep it at ambient temperature on warm sunny days.
Touch: Which Artificial Grass is The Softest?
Thanks to advances in technology, our superior Artificial Grass in Doncaster is softer than ever before, but again, it is very much a case of you get what you pay for when it comes to softness. Budget fake grass is generally less soft than superior grass, but that makes it ideal for installations where you are looking for durability over comfort, such as rooftop terrace, beer gardens, and balcony installations.
With smoother fibres, superior artificial grass feels soft and silky to the touch, and it is gentle on delicate paws, so it is the perfect choice for family gardens, children’s play areas, and doggie parks. It feels wonderfully soft underfoot, so you can walk through it barefoot, just like you would real grass.
Why Superior Artificial Grass is Worth the Investment?
We all have a budget, and when it comes to landscaping with synthetic grass, product price varies greatly. You may think that low-cost turf is an ideal stepping-stone until you can afford high-quality imitation grass, but it could end up costing your more in the long run.
Once you have purchased your superior faux grass, you’ll have minimal gardening expenses for 10-years or more. And with high-end products that are UV protected to prevent fading, pre-punched for drainage, and supplied with a manufacturer’s guarantee for peace of mind, you can be confident that your investment is money well spent.
There is no such thing as the best plastic grass; it all depends on what is right for you. But if you are looking to add value to a family home, rental property, or outdoor commercial space, superior artificial grass will help you achieve your landscaping goals.