Have you ever considered the low-maintenance option of artificial grass in your garden? The idea of a gorgeous, green lawn all year round has become more sought-after in recent years. There are many reasons you might choose this as an alternative to traditional turf grass, or just as an addition to smarten up your outdoor space. Here we show you the pros and cons of laying it in your garden to help you decide if this product is right for you.
Pros...
It looks great!
Come rain or shine, winter or summer, you can be confident your lawn will be luscious and green! If you hate looking at patchy lawns, then artificial grass could be your answer! We have a variety of ranges to choose from, from budget-friendly grass to hyper-realistic grass, so you can be sure your neighbours will be green with envy!
Many people have large trees in their garden, which can mean a huge amount of the garden is covered by shade for most of the day. This can be an issue for real turf grass, but not for artificial grass!
Low Maintenance
A great benefit of artificial turf is that there is very little upkeep in comparison to real grass. Artificial turf will never need to be mowed, watered or fertilised, making it particularly popular with elderly people or those less able to maintain real grass. It is also a nice option for anyone who spends long periods of time away from home for work, or people who own holiday homes, giving them peace of mind that they will not return to an overgrown jungle!
There is also an eco-friendly element to this; lawn mowers use a lot of electricity, and the water consumption from sprinklers left on overnight or daily hosing is very high in an average UK garden. Artificial grass can therefore save you time, money, water and electricity, being kinder on your schedule and potentially the environment.
Pet Friendly
The artificial turf we sell really does feel like real grass; therefore, pets such as dogs and cats still find it a comfortable place to sit or lie and bask in the sun. Our artificial turf is durable, meaning it will not be destroyed by extra-playful dogs who like to dig holes in the ground!
What makes artificial grass great for pet owners is the reassurance that muddy paws will not be brought back into the house! Our pet-friendly artificial grass should not accumulate any mud or even standing water, so your playful friends' paws should remain clean!
When laid properly, artificial grass should have good drainage, thanks to the drilled holes throughout the base, so pets can explore the outdoors and go to the toilet outside. At any time of the year, your pet's urine should drain away. Any other mess just needs to be picked up as usual so the grass remains hygienic.
Child Friendly
Artificial grass is becoming a popular alternative for parents with mini explorers running around. It makes an ideal play area for children, as it will not get muddy or wet after rain, so kids can still kick a football around without ruining their shoes or treading mud everywhere! It creates a soft landing compared with paving or decking, so placing it under climbing frames or swings can be a great idea. Also, its durability means it will not get ruined when placed under play equipment; real turf would discolour or become patchy if covered by outdoor toys, whereas artificial turf remains beautiful and green.
Creates a Feature
You do not have to commit to installing artificial grass across your whole garden; some people just have a small area as a feature, so they know that part of the garden will look great and will not need any maintenance. Artificial grass for your front garden is highly popular and makes for a really smart entrance, especially when paired with other best-selling features such as decorative stones or garden paving.
Less Mess
Maybe you have just invested in a new hot tub for the summer evenings, or maybe you are the barbecue king who cooks al fresco whenever the sun is out... artificial turf could be the answer!
A hot tub needs to be placed somewhere solid and somewhere that is not exposed to dirt and bugs. However, if you have just had a stunning patio laid, it would be a shame to cover some of that up. That is where artificial grass comes in. It offers a firm base for your hot tub, with good drainage should any water splash out the sides, all while looking like a tropical spa paradise. It also offers a softer, non-slippery surface when you get out barefoot, instead of a hard, cold patio.
And for barbecue kings... artificial turf offers a firm, level surface to place your cooking equipment on, knowing your barbecue will not get dirty or muddy after recent rain.
Cons...
Environmental Factors
Although you may be helping the planet by conserving water and reducing the use of chemicals and electricity, you may be contributing to more landfill. Although artificial turf can be made from recycled materials, and should last around 10 years, ultimately it will end up in landfill. The manufacturing process of artificial turf is also somewhat uneconomical, creating some pollution and waste in the process.
Unfriendly for Some Pets
If you are considering buying smaller outdoor pets such as rabbits or guinea pigs, this may not be the best choice for you. Of course, you may just have a small section of your garden with artificial turf, but these small creatures like to graze on fresh grass when they are let out to roam the garden, meaning artificial turf would be unsuitable for these furry friends.
How to Buy Artificial Grass
With the pros of buying artificial grass outweighing the cons, are you convinced?
Our in-house, budget-friendly artificial turf options are 35mm Hanbury, Goliath and Ashby Artificial Grass.
Then our more premium, luxurious artificial grass options are the EasiGrass ranges, some of which have appeared in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show!
38mm Kensington Artificial Grass
40mm Chelsea Artificial Grass
40mm Belgravia Artificial Grass
50mm Mayfair Artificial Grass
Artificial grass can be bought by the metre, depending on the width sizes, which usually start from 2m wide.
