ARTIFICIAL GRASS

IS ARTIFICIAL GRASS SUITABLE FOR YOUR GARDEN?

The centrepiece of most gardens is its lawn. Traditionally, lawns have been laid with natural turf, but artificial, synthetic versions of grass are becoming increasingly popular.

When choosing the type of lawn to lay in a garden it’s vital to first consider how it is intended to be used. As a play area for children? As a play area for pets? A socialising and recreation area for your family? Perhaps it will rarely be used at all and it simply needs to look fantastic at all times.

Next, consider whether the time, desire and capability involved in keeping a real lawn trim and tidy is an obligation which can be met. If not, is the disposable income needed to pay a local gardener a realistic option? Real turf lawns not only require care work, repair work and general maintenance, they also need the right conditions to thrive - with the right balance of direct sun, natural light and shade. Are those conditions avaialable?

Good quality artificial grass has many advantages over natural turf lawns which overcome all of these considerations. Let's look at some of these issues in a bit more detail.

Artificial Grass Maintenance

Both natural grass and artificial grass require maintenance. But there is a big difference in the time, effort and expertise involved in doing so. Real lawns demand regular mowing, hydration, weeding and feeding; much of which requires a level of expertise to both prevent and cure problems.

The Comfort Of Artificial Grass

Both artificial grass and natural turf are comfortable to use - whether that be sitting, laying or playing. It is important to be aware that real grass can be much kinder on bare skin in particularly hot weather.

The Durability Of Artificial Grass

It is well known that real grass can very easily be overrun with weeds and moss and develop bare patches as a result of overuse or lack of care. Looked after properly though, real grass is a wondrous plant which provides the perfect, natural, soft surface for most people and most gardens - and can last a very long time. It is difficult to attribute an exact lifespan as it is dependent on so many factors.

To ensure artificial grass lasts as long as possible, upkeep can be as simple as cleaning up any spills and pollutants (such as chemicals) quickly and generally keeping the surface clean and free from debris.

The Environment Impact Of Artificial Grass

We are all too aware of the damage we can cause to our environment from simple day-to-day activities. Carbon dioxide emissions and pollution are having catostrophic effects on climate change, resulting in high summer temperatures, flooding from rising sea levels and brutal storms. Decisions we make, no matter how small, are part of our responsibility to reverse the affects environmental damage and climate change.

So, is the type of lawn you choose going to have any affect on the environment?

Real grass can require the use of fertiliser, pesticides and weed killer - none of which are ideal for our environment. Similarly, lawns are likely to require watering during the peak of our summer months. Cutting grass, especially with a petrol or diesel driven lawnmower is not friendly to our environment.

The Appearance Of Artificial Grass

One of the major attractions of artificial grass is its immediate visual impact and usability; an impact it showcases all year round, in all types of weather, regardless of how it is used by adults, kids and pets alike.

Quality, real turf can in time, with the right installation, conditions and care look and feel fantastic. There is no substitute for the perfect real lawn, but are you the right person, in the right position to be able to achieve this?

The Cost Of Artificial Grass

The initial cost of buying and installing artificial grass is generally higher than laying real turf. That said, in the medium to long term, artificial grass demands almost no additional expenditure for its maintenance. Compare this to real grass which will need regular mowing using a machine which needs to be bought, maintained and potentially replaced (or the cost of paying a gardener), plus the cost of water, weed killer, pesticides and other solutions to keep it in good shape.

So in the short term, artificial grass will cost more money compared to laying real turf, but over time, the expense will balance out and potentially be a more shrewd longer term investment.