Artificial grass has become increasingly popular over recent years for a host of reasons. These include the way that it requires little maintenance, the lack of water it requires and its ability to maintain its lush green appearance throughout the year. Artificial grass is designed to last for years before it needs to be replaced, even when it needs to withstand heavy foot traffic.
There are no weeds or mud to worry about when you install artificial grass, and it can also provide relief from allergies. It can be installed in a wide range of environments and requires no fertilisers. It’s also quick to install and is UV-resistant, which means it doesn’t fade or discolour when it’s exposed to sunlight.
Let’s take a look at the basics of getting started with artificial grass right now. We’ll start by talking about the cost of artificial grass in the UK.
How much does artificial grass cost?
The price of installing artificial grass can vary depending on various factors. These include the quality and type of the grass, the grass pile height and density, how much preparatory work is needed and the size of the installation. Recent estimates suggest that you can expect to pay around £50 – £65 per m2 on average. You can normally expect to see a lower price per square metre if you opt for a larger artificial grass installation.
Can artificial grass be installed on top of an existing lawn?
Yes, it is possible to install artificial grass on top of an existing lawn. Many people do this because it can save them money and make the installation process easier. However, this option does have its disadvantages as you may expect. Grass and weeds could go through your artificial grass if you don’t have an efficient weed barrier in place, and you could face drainage issues if the ground beneath your new lawn isn’t prepared properly.
Although the majority of your old lawn will die once you have covered it with artificial grass, some may attempt to survive. This can result in an uneven surface and cause increase the likelihood of accidents including tripping. The uneven surface is unlikely to be aesthetically pleasing. You will also be missing various processes that will increase the quality of your new lawn if you don’t remove the old one. These include levelling or grading, compacting the sub-base, ensuring quality drainage is available and adding base materials. If your new artificial grass lawn isn’t installed correctly, it’s unlikely that it will perform to the same standard as one that has.
Nonetheless, installing a new artificial grass lawn over an old one can help you save time and money if you’re prepared to accept the downsides of this option. Artificial grass generally needs a smooth base so it stays in place. Without this, your turf may become unstuck during challenging weather including heavy rain. It’s much wiser to remove your existing lawn before you install your new one.
What is the cheapest way to lay down artificial grass?
If you do want to install artificial grass but are on a budget, there are numerous steps that you can take to bring costs down. Many people have been able to cut the costs of installing artificial grass by opting for basic grass types and installing them themselves. This can save you money, but you may be running the risk of making costly errors during the process.
You can also opt for prepare the base yourself. This can include levelling the ground, compacting the soil and adding a base layer. You can also lay down the artificial lawn on top of your existing one, though this does have a number of several we’ve already mentioned. Another way to reduce the expense is to use basic infill materials rather than premium ones. You can also shop around to try and find the best deal or opt for a smaller installation area so you require fewer resources. You can expand this over time. It may be wise to spend as much as you can to avoid creating a poor-quality installation that offers little longevity.
Is it cheaper to turf or artificial grass an area?
You can expect to pay more for an artificial grass installation than to turf a lawn in the short term. However, the costs attached to maintaining a natural lawn mean that an artificial grass lawn will end up being the cheaper option after a few years. You will need access to a range of expensive tools when you have a natural lawn to maintain. These can include a lawnmower, a strimmer and a hose, and you may also require an aerator amongst other equipment. Other items you’ll need to pay for on a regular basis when maintaining a natural lawn include weedkiller, fertiliser and pesticides. To maintain an artificial grass lawn, you’ll normally only need a stiff broom, a plastic rake, a sponge, soap and water. Maintaining an artificial grass lawn also requires much less time and effort.
Conclusion
The many benefits offered by artificial grass means it’s no surprise so many home and business owners are replacing natural lawns with these systems. Artificial grass is low maintenance and generally safe for pets and children. There’s no need to worry about mud or substantial mess, and you can expect it to look great throughout the year. Today’s artificial grass is tougher than ever and therefore incredibly capable of withstanding the trials of daily life.
Artificial grass may also be a great option for you if you have sustainability in your mind. It’s widely regarded as an eco-friendly option due to the way you don’t need to use any electricity or petrol to maintain it. In fact, when you use a petrol mower, this can produce the same amount of air and noise pollution as running 11 cars at the same time. Fertilisers and weedkillers are big contributors to global warming but aren’t needed to maintain synthetic grass. Many artificial grass products are 100% recyclable too.
If you’re looking for a low maintenance alternative to natural grass that’s sustainable, maintains a great appearance 12 months a year and is versatile enough to suit all kinds of wider environments, artificial grass could be for you.