Synthetic or artificial grass has come a long way since the first time it was used in the Astrodome. Today, there are many types of synthetic grass from which to choose. When it comes to taking care of your lawn there are many synthetic grass pros to consider.
For those who live in a dry climate, it can be hard to keep a yard green throughout the year. Even if you live in a climate where grass grows well, keeping your yard maintained will take a lot of time and energy.
With synthetic grass you no longer have to worry about mowing, fertilizing, weed eating, watering, or any of the other maintenance issues that you have to do in order to keep your lawn looking great. Synthetic grass will look great all throughout the year with very little maintenance required.
As with any type of home or garden product, there are several manufacturers from which to choose when you are buying synthetic grass. When you are ready to purchase synthetic grass for your lawn it is important that you get the best synthetic grass and the most for your money. Here are some tips for finding the best synthetic grass to meet your needs.
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Quality Checklist
Here are a few things that you should check for when choosing synthetic grass for your yard.
Before making a purchase:
- Ask for samples
- Ask about the guarantee that is provided, typically this will be for at least 5 years
- When comparing the price of synthetic grass use the cost per square meter
- Ask about delivery charges
High quality synthetic grass should:
- Have a soft and non-abrasive texture
- A backing with holes to allow for drainage
- High density of grass blades
- Should look and feel like natural grass
If you are not planning on installing the fake grass yourself, before you request installation service from a company you should:
- Ask for a portfolio of the company’s recent work
- Look for corporate examples as this will show the team has experience
- Ask about additional costs for groundwork preparation
- Ask about infill: a good supplier will offer sand, rubber, or another type of quality infill
- If possible visit a showroom or open garden
- Ask for a breakdown of the prices
Once the installation is complete, make sure you inspect the work. Look for the following:
- The grass should be glued in strips so the seams are hidden
- Edges should be consistent and will be flush against borders. Make sure there are no gaps
- If you find any issues ask for them to be fixed that day
Choosing Your Artificial Grass
When you have found an appropriate synthetic grass supplier who passes the checklist, the next step is to choose the type of fake grass product that you would like to use. There are several factors to consider when choosing artificial grass.
- Budget
- How the area will be used
- Who is going to use the area? Children? Pets?
- The look and feel that you prefer
Synthetic grass comes in both multi-tone or single colors. There are also a variety of pile heights as well as density available. The long pile and dense multi-colored toned grass will be the most expensive. A single color shorter grass is going to be cheaper.
Economy Lawns
An economy lawn will typically cost about half of what a premium lawn would cost. These fake grass lawns will be perfect for garden games such as rolling balls. This is also the best choice for high traffic areas such as an area used for pets as this type of grass will be less likely to deform. It has a more rigid surface area so it is easier to clean.
Mid-Range Lawns
A mid-range lawn will be softer than an economy grass lawn. Most of the more modern synthetic grasses will have a coat of silicone to make them softer. These lawns are a bit more advanced than the economy lawns and most modern products will look like a real grass lawn from a distance.
Superior Lawns
The top synthetic lawns will have longer pile heights, typically 30 mm or higher. This will make for a great child’s play area as the surface is softer than medium and economy yards. A superior level lawn will look real from both long and short distances. Of course, the superior lawn comes with a higher price tag, so make sure that it is within your budget.
The Cost of Fake Grass Lawns
When it comes to choosing the best synthetic grass solution for your home, the final consideration will often come down to cost.
The average price of artificial grass is between $30 and $50 per square metre, but the real costs come in the form of paying for installation. If you’re savvy enough to source the fake grass and finish the installation yourself, then the cost of your fake grass lawn will be for materials alone.
Our final piece of advice on installing fake grass lawns yourself to keep costs down, would be to be realistic. Ask yourself, will paying a little more right now for professional measurements and installation really matter in ten years time?
The ultimate outcome that you’re after is one that looks great and lasts the test of time. Don’t compromise on the ultimate quality of your artificial lawn by pinching pennies in the short term.
Optional Add-Ons For Your Fake Grass Lawn
If your yard has a poor sub-base or is an uneven surface, you can save money on the synthetic grass installation by using padding for the grass. This can reduce the amount of groundwork that is needed and also provide comfort, stability, and safety to your new artificial grass lawn.
There are also different things that can be done to add safety to an area that is going to be used for children’s play. Extra padding can be added around trampolines or jungle gyms to soften the area should someone fall.
If you have pets there are additional steps that can be taken in order to ensure proper drainage for pet waste. Make sure that you tell the installers that you have pets that will be using the fake grass.
Conclusion
When you go through the steps above, purchasing your synthetic grass should be a fairly straightforward process. Often times it is going to be cheaper to purchase fake grass online. You may even be able to find discounted cut offs of certain types of fake grass that you can use to create the space that you desire.
Remember to ask for samples and to look at many different options of fake turf available before you make a purchase. If you do this you are well on your way to choosing the best synthetic grass for your needs.