Things to Consider about Artificial Grass

If you’re not sure whether or not artificial grass is right for your garden, there are a few things you should consider. Firstly, think about why you have a garden in the first place. Is it an area for relaxation and tranquillity? Or do you use it for entertaining friends and family? 

If your garden is more of a social area, then artificial grass may be perfect for you. Artificial grass will never become muddy and won’t grow out of control like natural grass either – so with artificial turf, your garden will always look neat and presentable. And if you’ve got pets or children that use the lawn frequently, synthetic turf will be able to handle heavy usage without creating bald patches in the middle of your once-lovely lawn.

Artificial grass lawns also require much less maintenance than natural turf – after all, there’s no need to mow it every two weeks! However, they still need some attention from time to time. Dust and dirt can accumulate on the surface of the lawn in between vacuuming sessions.

The Different Types of Artificial Grass

There are four main types of artificial grass, each composed of a different synthetic fibre. These fibres are made by taking plastic pellets and melting them into liquid form. They are then woven together to make the artificial grass strands.

Nylon Artificial Grass

Nylon is a synthetic fibre that has a wide range of uses, from producing durable carpets to manufacturing paracord and creating fine art paint brushes. It’s also used in artificial grass for lawns and gardens.

Nylon Artificial Grass is often used in high-traffic areas that require more durability, like playgrounds or sports pitches. It’s not as soft and natural in feeling as other types of artificial grass, so it’s not commonly used in residential settings like gardens.

Nylon is known for being soft, springy, and hard-wearing. These qualities make it ideal for athletic fields (like soccer), where the blades need to be able to bend over and bounce back repeatedly without losing their shape or durability.

Nylon artificial turf can be more expensive than polypropylene products, but because it lasts longer, it may prove to be a more cost-effective choice in the long run.

Polyethylene Artificial Grass

Polyethylene is the most common material used to make artificial grass, and it’s also the most versatile. Durable enough to withstand heavy traffic and bad weather, polyethylene artificial grass is well-suited for yards with a lot of activity or high foot traffic; it’s particularly popular among families with children and pets. It’s also a good choice for those who want to keep their lawn in top shape all year long.

Polyethylene Artificial Grass is the most popular choice for residential use such as gardens because it has a soft feel and realistic look. Polyethylene artificial grass doesn’t typically fade due to long-term sun exposure, nor lose its shape if you use it on a steep incline.

Polypropylene Artificial Grass

Polypropylene is a type of fibre that is often used in artificial grass. It’s not as soft as polyethylene, but it can be more durable and dense. 

If you are looking for an artificial grass that is heat resistant and stands up to heavy use, then this may be the right choice for you. 

Apart from durability this material is also resistant against mould and bacteria build up, but tends to be less durable than polyethylene when exposed to UV rays from the sun over time.

The key considerations for Polypropylene Artificial Grass should include:

• Is it UV resistant?
• Does it have a warranty?
• Does it have a good pile length?
• Is it good for pets?
• Is it durable?

Polyamide Artificial Grass

Also known as Nylon 6 Artificial Grass, Polyamide was developed specifically for pets, especially in things such as pet runs. Polyamide is an absorbent material that doesn’t retain odours from urine or faeces compared to the other types of artificial grass materials.

How to Choose the Best Artificial Grass for Gardens

Now you know about the different types of artificial grass and decided it’s time to install artificial grass in your garden, you need to make sure you choose the right one. Don’t just go for the first option you find – you’ll want to marry one of the many different kinds of artificial grass with what will work best for your needs and lifestyle. Consider the following:

The Different Types of Artificial Grasses Available.

There are many varieties of artificial grass, including short grass options and longer versions that look very realistic. You should carefully consider all of your options before deciding which is best for you. You’ll also want to think about things like colour and texture. This is best done by looking at a sample of each possible type before making your final decision.

The Climate Where You Live.

It’s important to remember how much sun or rain your garden will get when choosing the best artificial grass for your garden since it can affect how long it lasts. Quality synthetic turf with UV protection will last longer in sunny climates, though will eventually fade over time – but it won’t be as quick as other types of artificial grass.

In rainy climates where water could pool on top of an artificial grass surface (such as under trees or near rocks), you’ll want an artificial grass that has porous drainage holes allowing for quick runoff.

Advantages of Artificial Grass in the Garden

Installing artificial grass in your garden provides many benefits. Maintenance is drastically reduced as there’s no more weeding, mowing or watering to worry about! Your synthetic lawn will look and feel fantastic all year round with virtually zero maintenance.

Its durable nature is weather resistant, so mud and lawn fading are no longer an issue. You can be safe in the knowledge that your children and pets can play on it with no risk of rips or tears. There’s also zero need for pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers which are harmful to the environment.

The Different Elements of Artificial Grass

As you consider each artificial grass option, a lot of the choices will come down to personal preference. You’ll want to understand what the different elements are to feel confident that you aren’t missing anything important.

There are five main elements to keep in mind when comparing different types of artificial grass: the colour of the blades, the finish of the blades and backing, the pile length (or thickness), the pile density and durability.

Artificial Grass Colour

There are different colour options for artificial grass on the market, but most of them fall into one of three categories: green, dark green, or black. If you want your artificial grass to look the most natural and are hoping to replicate a real garden lawn as much as possible, choose a shade of green. If you want an artificial grass that’s going to be more resistant to fading in the sun over time (although it still will fade), opt for a darker coloured artificial grass.

Artificial Grass Finish

There are three main types of artificial grass finishes: textured, straight-bladed (or “monofilament”), and polyethylene (which is discussed above).

Textured

Textured artificial grasses are the most common option used in gardens. These have a soft feel to them, perfect for when you need to walk on the grass barefoot. It is also durable enough to withstand children playing on or pets running around. You can find textured turf in a variety of different shades and lengths, so if you’re looking for something that will do its job without drawing too much attention to itself, this would be the right choice for you.

Straight-Bladed (Monofilament artificial grass)

Straight-bladed Grasses are made of individual fibres instead of needles. These often have a more realistic look to them than textured artificial grass options but they don’t feel as soft beneath your feet and aren’t as durable against rough play from children or pets either. This option, however, does have a more natural look.

Artificial Grass Pile Length

When it comes to artificial grass, the pile is the term used to describe the blades of grass. The pile length refers to how long these piles of grass are – usually measured in millimetres vertically from the base to the tip of a blade of grass. Different pile lengths are available depending on what you want your grass to look like and how you want it to feel underfoot.

The added height also means that you can install longer infill, which—as we’ve already discussed—helps your lawn look more realistic. However, it may be difficult to find long blades of artificial turf made with non-infill or high-quality infill materials that are not too expensive or challenging to maintain.

Shorter blades of grass can create a low-maintenance lawn if they are made without infill and do not require raking. They may also be easier to find and less expensive than longer strands of fake turf since they do not require as much material or have as many manufacturing steps.

In short, longer piles of grass will usually look more realistic. They also tend to feel softer underfoot than shorter piles of grass. This means they can be a great choice if you have children or dogs that may spend a lot of time on your lawn.

Artificial Grass Pile Density

One of the main aspects to look at is the pile density of artificial grass. This refers to the number of fibres in a square metre, and tells you how closely knit each fibre is. The more densely it’s manufactured, the higher quality it will be, but also the higher price tag it will have. 

A low-density artificial lawn will only give a short-term solution and may need replacing sooner than you think. It’s not suitable for high-traffic areas or if pets and children are playing on it, as it can easily get worn out and start looking patchy.

So when searching for the best artificial grass for your garden, look at its pile density to make sure that what you’re buying is worth your money (and money well spent).

How Durable is Artificial Grass

The durability of artificial grass depends on the material used to make the fibres, which are usually made from polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon. Nylon is soft and extremely durable. Polyethylene is more commonly used because it’s less expensive and more durable than polypropylene.

Is Artificial Grass Good for Pets

Another point to consider, if it’s relevant to you, is whether artificial grass is good for pets. The short answer is Yes, artificial grass can be a perfect solution for households with dogs or cats. 

Artificial grass is more hygienic than natural grass and doesn’t need to be cleaned as often. Also, because of its comfortable texture, it’s ideal for pets to play on and rest upon. It’s much easier to clean up after pets and disinfect the surfaces of artificial grass compared to real lawns that require re-seeding and fertilising. If you want your garden to be pet-friendly both in terms of appearance and maintenance, then artificial turf is a realistic option.