As the UK prepares for hosepipe bans, more homeowners are turning to artificial grass as an alternative solution for their gardens. But what exactly is synthetic turf, and how does it compare with natural lawns?
There’s an artificial grass product designed for every climate and use, so finding one suitable for your garden should not be difficult.
Benefits
Artificial grass can provide homeowners with an alternative to real lawns for homeowners looking to reduce maintenance, water, and fertilizer use. Constructed from recyclable synthetic materials that are eco-friendly, this synthetic lawn features a thatch layer made from polypropylene or nylon for an authentic appearance that sits atop a cushioning system made up of polyester tie cord or rubber cushioning systems for added support.
Weather-proof lawns don’t experience weather fluctuations like rain and intense sunlight, helping prevent fading over time and reduce chemical fertilizers and pesticides that harm the environment. Unfortunately, however, maintaining such lawns requires constant mowing, reseeding and watering – tasks which require the use of gas-powered equipment and may take up valuable weekend time slots.
Synthetic turf surfaces are much simpler to manage than their counterparts in real turf environments, requiring neither mowing nor watering for upkeep, being durable enough to withstand traffic volumes of all sorts without needing raking or rolling, being pet-friendly, as well as accommodating rough play from children and pets alike.
Artificial grass in justquality.com.au artificial grass Adelaide is safe for both dogs and children and easy to keep clean. The synthetic materials don’t absorb pet urine, allowing you to quickly rinse it away using soapy water hose. Plus, its antimicrobial surface reduces germs and odors spread by bacteria!
Installation
As with any installation project, artificial grass requires preparation. First you must clear away any irrigation, gas, electric, or telephone installations from the area before creating a base layer of gravel or crushed rock to allow excess water to drain through and prevent the formation of puddles under your turf. Once this layer has been laid down you can begin installing your artificial turf.
At this point in the process, it’s vital that you are satisfied with how the seams look and that they become virtually undetectable with just a few minutes of pressure from a carpet kicker. Since gluing seams is often one of the least forgiving steps of this process, care must be taken when applying glue; only glue when you are sure the join is perfect or wait 24 hours so rain or sprinkler water won’t compromise it and make your decision difficult.
Once all joints are glued, it is vitally important to infill artificial turf to preserve its appearance and safeguard it against UV damage. An even distribution can be accomplished using a drop spreader; once spread evenly you should use 8-10 kg per m2 silica sand infill before walking over it for an hour or so.
Maintenance
Artificial turf is composed of synthetic fibers that are resistant to dirt, water and other substances; however, spills and stains will still occur from time to time, whether from food waste, pet messes or the occasional baseball hit to the nose. A regular cleaning regimen with hot soapy water and sponge will remove most stains before they have the chance to seep into your lawn’s infill material – additionally justquality.com.au artificial grass Adelaide action helps prevent mildew/mold from growing on them!
While a quick rinse with a garden hose should suffice for most types of stains, tougher substances like tree sap, chewing gum or crayons require special attention. A safe cleaning solution must be applied, then blot the area until clean. Aerosol refrigerants or dry ice can be used to freeze sticky substances like moss or tree sap so it’s easier to scrape off your turf; or mineral spirits may help draw the stain out.
An essential step for proper lawn maintenance is keeping pets and children away from the turf. Their paws carry bacteria which could spread directly onto the grass surface. Furthermore, their weight may cause it to deteriorate faster while equipment with sharp or jagged edges could tear or puncture it and tear up artificial grass quickly.
Cost
Artificial grass costs vary significantly based on brand and type. Before beginning work on a project, it is advisable to obtain an estimate for the entire task; some companies may charge extra for debris removal or for the sand required for stability purposes; additionally weed barriers prevent dirt or natural grass from growing through; these usually cost anywhere between $0.25-$0.58 per square foot.
Turf is typically constructed of polyethylene or nylon plastic extrusion through molds to produce fine fibers and thatch layers. The primary backing consists of durable material that keeps blades securely tufted into their slots while seaming is easier; secondary backing consists of polyurethane coating to shield artificial grass against UV radiation, helping keep blades vibrant over time. When it comes to price comparisons, back weight of turf plays an integral role.
Some types of synthetic turf feature an antimicrobial coating to inhibit the growth of bacteria and germs from pet urine and other contaminants, potentially saving time and money on lawn care maintenance costs. Although this feature adds to the cost, it could be worth investing in to save both time and money on lawn maintenance needs – and allow more quality time with family and friends in your backyard without having to spend time mowing, seeding, or treating your lawn! The best artificial grass allows more leisure time with family in your backyard without worrying about it needing care or treatment costs!