Ever thought about replacing your lawn with synthetic grass? You’re definitely not alone.
For some people, the appeal is pretty simple. They’re fed up with mowing, muddy patches, weeds, and a lawn that never seems to look the way they want it to. Synthetic grass takes a lot of that work off your hands.
But – well before you begin laying the turf – there are a few things worth thinking about. You need to get the basics right at the start. Doing so makes a major difference to how the lawn looks and performs later on.
Keep reading on to learn more.
Drainage
Let’s start with something that isn’t particularly exciting, but it is really important:
Drainage.
Maybe your yard regularly turns into a puddle after heavy rain. If so, you need to deal with that before installing synthetic grass. The turf itself isn’t going to solve an existing drainage problem.
Water still needs to drain through the surface and away from the yard. That’s why the ground underneath must be properly prepared. So, have a look around your garden after it rains, and ask yourself some questions:
- Where does the water collect?
- Does it run down from the patio?
- Is there a low spot that always seems to stay wet?
These might seem like small things, but they’re worth noticing before the installation starts. Sorting out drainage at this stage is far easier than trying to fix a soggy lawn after all the work.
Local Climate
The weather where you live should also play a part in your decision.
If you’re somewhere that gets plenty of rain, you’ll want to pay particular attention to drainage and the preparation underneath the turf – as discussed previously. If you live somewhere warmer and sunnier, then think about how much direct sunlight your yard gets.
Take a look at the space. Monitor it at different times of the day. You might find that one part of the garden gets sun from morning until evening. Maybe another is shaded for most of the day.
It’s worth considering how you actually use the space, too. Are your children going to be playing on it? Do you have pets? Or would you regularly sit outside during warmer weather? Those things will influence what type of synthetic grass makes sense for you.
In other words, don’t just choose turf because it looks good in a brochure. Think about what your garden is actually like – and how you want to use it.
Maintenance Needs
A big reason why people choose synthetic turf? To cut down on maintenance.
And yes, you can say goodbye to the lawn mower.
But artificial grass isn’t completely maintenance-free. Leaves will still blow onto it. Dirt will still find its way onto the surface. If you have pets, you’ll need to clean it frequently, too.
Fortunately, the jobs are usually pretty straightforward. A quick brush removes leaves and debris. An occasional clean helps to keep the grass looking fresh. It’ll even ensure each blade of grass remains upright, not flattened.
It’s also worth thinking about the shape of your yard before the installation. A simple rectangular lawn is fairly easy to work with. Gardens with trees, flower beds, paths, steps, curves, and awkward corners are a different story.
This is where custom fitting the turf to the area really matters. Get the measurements and cuts right. As a result, the finished lawn will look much neater with fewer visible joins and less wasted material.
It might not be something you think about when you’re first choosing artificial grass, but the fitting has a huge impact on the final result. To conclude, installing artificial turf sounds simple enough. But it does require some thought. If you consider the three aspects before, you – and your home – will reap the benefits.
