Artificial Grass: What is It and Should You Get It?
As the name suggests, artificial grass is artificial rather than natural grass. It is made from durable materials such as polyethene, nylon, or polypropylene and is made to withstand all weather.
Where can artificial grass be installed?
You would be forgiven for thinking that artificial grass is mainly for sports fields, but there are many places where you could install an artificial lawn. Essentially, anywhere that could have natural grass can have the synthetic version. But also, it can be used in locations where it would not be practical to have a natural lawn.
For example:
- Front and back gardens
- Outdoor entertainment areas
- Putting greens
- Roofs
- Around swimming pools
- Underneath children's play equipment such as swings
- Borders next to paths
Are artificial lawns safe?
Yes, they are. Artificial lawns are non-toxic and made from materials that are kid-friendly and pet-friendly. People used to be worried about the crumb rubber used in the turf on sports fields, but tests have proven that recycled rubber does not pose a health problem. Besides, crumb rubber isn't even necessary as many other materials can be used.
What are the benefits of artificial grass?
Although many people still prefer natural grass, artificial lawns do have some clear advantages. For example:
- Extremely low maintenance. No need to mow the lawn, water it, or fertilise it. This also cuts down on your water usage.
- Ideal for people who are often away. This follows from the point about low maintenance. If you are often away for long periods, for example, on business trips, artificial grass could be ideal because it will still look the same when you return. You won't have to pay someone to maintain it.
- Realistic appearance. These days, artificial grass looks much more like natural grass than it used to.
- It always looks perfect. Natural grass can become dry in a summer heatwave and end up with bare spots due to overuse. Artificial grass looks perfectly green all the time, all year round, no matter what the weather conditions are.
- Long-lasting. Some artificial grass can last 20 years.
What artificial grass products are available?
West Derby Carpets & Blinds currently has two different types of artificial grass along with adhesive and pegs:
- Palermo 40mm Artificial Grass. Perfect for family gardens, this is our best-selling artificial grass. At 40mm thick, it is soft and comfortable to sit on, yet highly durable.
- Vienna 38mm Artificial Grass. Extremely soft and dense, this artificial grass gives a beautiful summer appearance, combining two rich green tones. It is also pet-friendly.
- Artificial Grass Adhesive. Safe to handle, with no smell, this all-weather adhesive has excellent ageing properties and strong UV resistance.
- Artificial Grass Pegs U-Pins. Perfect for holding artificial lawns on soft surfaces. The natural green colour ensures they blend in with the grass.
So, there you go. Now you know what artificial grass is, where it can be used, and its key benefits. While there will always be a place for natural grass, artificial grass definitely has its place in the modern world.