Frequently asked questions

Why get artificial grass?

There are a number of reasons people get artificial grass. When compared to natural grass, it’s incredibly low maintenance and the fact that it’s not as susceptible to adverse weather conditions means that you can have a beautiful green lawn all year round.

What are the advantages?

Below are some of the biggest advantages of artificial grass –

  • Very little maintenance needed
  • Doesn’t get dry or patchy like natural grass
  • Doesn’t get muddy
  • Is very durable
  • Can be installed almost anywhere
  • No watering required
  • Safe and hygienic

Can artificial grass be installed over an existing lawn?

It’s not usually recommended to install artificial grass over your existing lawn. The reason for this is that the grass underneath will die and cause the surface to become uneven. This is why a levelling layer is usually installed.

Will it get swamped during heavy rain?

Artificial grass is designed to be permeable, which means rain water will pass through it. However it’s also a good idea to fit a drainage base to be extra safe.

What type of base is required?

Although it’s possible to use many types of base, the best type is one that’s solid and porous, such as tarmac. However asphalt and concrete are also suitable. The most important thing when using a hard base such as concrete is to use a base layer to absorb shock. You can use either sand or ideally a rubber shock pad to achieve this.

How long does artificial grass last?

This will depend on heavily the lawn is used but to give you an idea of how durable artificial grass is – the average football pitch that uses artificial grass is expected to last more than 8 years.

Is there any maintenance required?

The only real maintenance that’s required with artificial grass is to remove any leaves or debris that fall on it. You can clean it with a garden hose if you want but rainwater will do this job for you.

How will my pets react to it?

Most pets react very positively to artificial grass and treat it just like regular grass. The key difference with artificial grass is that they can’t dig it up! When the grass is used by pets very frequently, such as in boarding kennels, then it’s recommended that you treat it with disinfectant to kill bacteria and remove smells.

Does the grass have a directional pile?

Yes, this will be matched during installation.

What about edging?

You can have any type of edging with artificial grass as you would with natural grass.

How is the artificial grass held down?

The sand infill provides enough weight to hold the artificial grass down. If the artificial grass doesn’t have an infill then it’s usually necessary for it to be pegged down.

Can artificial grass be installed on a slope?

It is possible but if it’s going to be installed on a surface that has an incline greater than 15% then it cannot be walked on. Also, it’s better to use non-filled grass on slopes since the sand filling will gather at one end.

Can I use a BBQ on top of artificial grass?

Whilst it’s safe to do this, it’s still preferable to use a BBQ on a completely solid and stable surface such as concrete slabs.

Is it possible to get weeds with artificial grass?

Although it might seem counterintuitive, you actually can get weeds with artificial grass. The reason for this is that the sand infill can create the right environment for seeds to grow. However, the materials used for the artificial grass are strong enough to prevent them from breaking through to the surface.

Will insects be a problem?

Artificial grass is a sterile environment but it’s still possible to have a few insects there although they will be much fewer when compared to natural grass.

Where can artificial grass be installed?

Artificial grass can be installed in a wide range of areas, including:

  • Lawns
  • Patios
  • Conservatories
  • Football pitches
  • Sports centres
  • Exhibition centres
  • Play areas
  • Roof gardens
  • Garages
  • Shopping centres
  • Car showrooms

How are the panels joined together?

Fibreglass tape and glue is used to join artificial grass together.

What about damp areas of the garden?

This should not be a problem since more sand can be used to increase the surface.

Will the grass get flattened with continued use?

Provided you use the right type of grass, flattening should not occur. We will be able to advise you on the right type of grass for your area.

What is artificial grass like to walk on?

Some people fear that artificial grass will be very bristly and uncomfortable to walk on but this is not the case. It’s very soft and the infill makes it more springy than natural grass. The one thing to note is that in hot weather it will be hotter to walk on than natural grass but not to the point of being uncomfortable.

Why is sand infill used?

An infill is needed in order to weight the grass down and provide some shock absorption. Sand is used thanks to its wide availability and the fact that it’s fire resistant.