All homeowners want to keep beautiful lawns. However, regular lawn maintenance is time consuming and expensive. Spraying, watering, mowing, trimming and fertilizing the grass require much time and costly materials. When houses are located in communities which charge additional fees if lawns are not maintained, owners may have to rely on friends or neighbours to take care of the lawn when on holidays. Engaging landscapers to manage lawns is another expensive alternative. For many, having the perfect and ideal lawn could mean the dream turns into a nightmare.


Artificial Grass for an ideal Lawn


To save money in the long run and keep a well-maintained lawn, many homeowners are replacing the lawn or sod with synthetic grass. Traditionally the main type of outdoor artificial grass has been a short pile- carpet like product that requires a sand infill to make it durable. This grass is often seen on tennis courts or in playgrounds at kindergartens. Whilst the short pile grass remains popular for its durability and value for money, the new long pile grass is proving to be very popular for its grass like characteristics and close resemblance to real lawn.


Synthetic grass, also referred to as artificial grass, is made of polymer plastic fibers. These fibers are made to look like grass blades found in real grass and are virtually maintenance free. The new synthetic products can be up to 40mm (over 2 inches) in height and is made from polyethylene fibres which are woven into a rubber backing similar carpet, to produce a very strong and durable product.


Care of Synthetic Lawn


Homeowners can own a healthy lush looking lawn without worrying about finding time to water, mow, seed, or fertilize. The occasional dusting with a stiff broom is required and there is no need for lawn maintenance all year round. It stays green and lush and there will be no ugly scorched grass during summer. Most importantly it is child friendly - perfect for playing, rolling on, picnics and even sitting an inflatable swimming pool. Synthetic grass may be applied to any size or shaped garden including roof terraces and patios.


The only care required for synthetic lawn is the choice of a high quality product with a lasting color made of non-toxic materials. This will ensure an artificial grass with beautiful appearance at all times for years to come. Good quality synthetic grass is expensive and that remains a major hindrance for ownership. Yet in many instances the expense is outweighed by the advantages. There is no doubt that the demand for synthetic grass will continue to grow.


Installation And Benefits


Artificial grass can be installed directly over a number of bases depending on the application; including bare soil, compacted road base, wet-pour rubber base or concrete. It can be fixed in place by nailing it to a surrounding timber border, or by pegging it to the ground. Often the weight of sand and rubber infill may be enough to hold it securely in place.


Installing a synthetic lawn is a wise investment with long term benefits and savings. Although costing more for this one-time investment, synthetic grass typically increases the value of a home and makes a huge selling point when homeowners choose to put their house on the market. An important point to note- unless you are very proficient at practical tasks it is best to have the instant lawn installed by a professional as incorrect laying of the grass can lead to an uneven surface which detracts from the look of the turf.