5 Things You Didn’t Know About Artificial Grass
Remember when artificial grass was that plastic-looking stuff you only ever saw on sports fields? It’s come a long way since then, and there’s a good chance that a high number of homes in your neighborhood have synthetic lawns without you even realizing.
If you’re newly considering artificial turf for your own garden, there’s a lot to learn about it. Aside from the obvious stuff (it’s not real and is therefore pretty low-maintenance), here are five things you may not have realized about fake grass.
It Gets Hotter Than Real Grass
There’s nothing like sitting down on sun-warmed grass that feels like your own personal heated blanket. The same cannot be said for artificial grass, which doesn’t just get warm in the sun—it gets scorching.
This is important to be aware of, especially if you’re installing turf in a country that gets very hot summers and you have pets or young children. It’s worth choosing a specialist turf installer like https://sinagrass.com/, which supplies artificial grass that’s able to better withstand heat. But if it does get too hot to comfortably walk on, you can cool it down by spraying with water or adding shade.
Installation Is Just As Important As Design
Even the best artificial grass can look pretty poor if it’s not fitted properly. The last thing you want is to spend a fortune on synthetic turf only for its finish to be ruined by visible seams, uneven patches, or edges that curl up.
That’s why it’s well worth spending your money on a dedicated artificial grass installation company that can dedicate the time required for a proper install, including laying the right groundwork and using the right tools to stretch and join the rolls neatly.
Not All Fake Grass Looks Fake
The quality of synthetic turf has come on leaps and bounds in the last decade, so if you’re still hesitant to install a bright-green carpet on your lawn, don’t panic—this isn’t the inevitable outcome.
Some types of fake grass even use a mix of green and brown fibres to mimic natural grass that’s had a bit of sun, and some have a thatch layer to copy the uneven look of real turf. When you see your options in person, you might be surprised by how realistic new versions look.
It’s Not Maintenance-Free
If you’re tempted by artificial grass because you never want to mow your lawn again, just keep in mind that it does still require some maintenance. This is important to remember when you’re weighing up the pros and cons of synthetic turf.
No, you won’t need to mow or weed it every weekend, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore it completely. You’ll still need to hose down the surface every week or so to remove leaves, dirt, and bird mess, brush it every now and then to lift the fibres, and get it professionally cleaned around once a year.
It Lasts Longer Than You Might Think
Finally, you might be surprised to learn that artificial grass has a pretty long lifespan, especially the newer designs.
Good artificial grass can last all the way up to 10-15 years, sometimes even longer if you look after it properly. So while the initial installation can be a bit of an investment, it’s one that’ll pay itself off fairly soon.
