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Factors you need to consider when choosing artificial grass
Cost is an important factor when choosing any product, but cheap artificial grass might not be the best choice for your garden project. Your choice of grass needs to fulfil the main reason you’re choosing fake grass in the first place or it’ll end up being a pointless purchase!
Some of the most common reasons to choose artificial grass are because it’s tidy, low-maintenance, reliable, and can save you from spending additional funds throughout the year on unexpected re-seeding or re-turfing. The cost of artificial grass will be directly related to how well it meets those needs, so read on to discover why cheapest artificial grass isn’t always better.
Why is the density of artificial grass important?
Artificial grass is manufactured in rolls like a carpet, with grass threads stitched throughout the roll to create little tufts. Cheap synthetic grass usually means you’ve got less grass, because it’s been manufactured with less stitches or less grass blades per stitch. So, whilst two products might look similar, or have the same pile height, when you get them in your hands one of them will offer a much lower performance in a range of different ways.
Your grass might require more maintenance
If your cheaper artificial grass has less stitches in it, then it will have far less resistance to flattening because it can easily crumple or compact under foot. That means it will require maintenance more frequently in the form of brushing it up to rejuvenate the pile. If you’re looking to spend less time maintaining your garden than a cheap artificial grass may not be the best option.
Your cheap grass could look fake
Artificial grass that’s cheap can look less realistic when you have low density because you’re more likely to be able to see the backing between the blades. Grass backing is often made of black plastic, which might not be your first choice of colour or material to view in your garden lawn.
Cheaper artificial grass is also less likely to have complex colour combinations of greens and browns that replicate the look of natural turf. If you come to sell or rent the property, this can also put off prospective buyers looking for a more realistic appearance.
What does cheap artificial grass feel like?
If you’re planning to get artificial grass for your family garden, with children or pets as the main users, the feel of your artificial grass is going to be high on your list of considerations. There’s no guarantee that a cheap artificial grass is going to be made of soft materials like polyethylene or polypropylene, and you could end up with scratchy, rough grass similar to what you find in green grocers.
Before you make a large purchase of cheap fake grass we recommend you request a sample, or take an opportunity to feel the product in person so you know what to expect when it is laid in your garden.
Is there a perfect pile height?
Artificial grass pile heights for landscaping grasses can range from around 27mm to 45mm, though most people choose somewhere in the middle at around 35-37mm. This gives it a enough of a grown in appearance to look natural and can offer a pleasant feel underfoot.
There might be an additional cost for in-fill
If you’re looking for a long, lush pile grass to transform your garden, you might be excited to find a long pile grass at an extremely low cost. However, the fact that it’s long doesn’t mean that it’s dense, and those grass blades might require and in-fill to keep them standing up. In-fill usually needs replacing throughout it’s lifespan so that’s an additional cost you may not have anticipated.
How long will your grass last?
Fake grass is made of plastic which makes it resistant to wear and tear compared to natural turf. However, as we’ve discovered, not all grass is created equal and it’s worth considering how long a cheaper grass might last when being used by children, pets or in any space that might be being used. A few things to look out for when comparing products
- Is there any guarantee on the product?
- What does the guarantee cover?
- What is the expected lifespan of the product?
- Are you provided any aftercare advice on how to prolong the life of your product?
If you can’t see anything related to the above around the range of artificial grass you’re researching you should consider it a red flag. Worst case scenario is that the product has no guarantee, a low life expectancy, or the company selling it might not be experienced enough to answer your questions.
What should an artificial lawn look like after a decade?
A high quality artificial lawn should be capable of lasting for a decade depending on the intensity of usage and as long as it receives a bit of care and attention. Pet-friendly artificial lawns require more maintenance than a regular lawn if they are consistently being used to relieve themselves on the area.
Read our guide about how long does artificial grass last which includes grass that has been installed for over ten years!
Get a quote for artificial grass installation
Looking for high quality artificial grass from the experts? Get a quote from Trulawn and get on your way to a fuss-free, tidy, evergreen lawn. Our affordable artificial grass range suits all types of garden style, with child and pet-friendly options to recommend.
View our Installations
We provide artificial turf installation for a range of garden styles and sizes. Check out our Portfolio section to see some of the previous projects completed by Trulawn or a Trulawn franchise.
