Busy families are rapidly cottoning on to the fact that fake grass is one of the easiest ways to make their gardens low maintenance and family friendly.
But with so much on offer out there, and such variation, how on earth do you even begin to pick the right one for you?
When it comes to artificial grass, there are three features that are important to consider before reaching for your purse. They are: pile height, density colour. What you choose will be influenced by the requirements of your household, but here’s a quick run-down of what each term means and why you might pick a certain style over another.
Pile Height
The pile height refers to the length of the fibres of the artificial grass, from the backing all the way to the tip.
As a general rule, the longer the pile height of the artificial lawn the heavier the blade is. This can lead to the lawn looking flatter and less lush and realistic. If your aim is a healthy-looking lawn that can ‘pass’ for natural lawn, then you should aim to go for a pile height between 30 and 37mm.
Density
The pile density indicates the number of fibres of synthetic yarn that have been stitched to the primary backing layer, and how closely packed they are.
Higher density artificial lawns mean there are more fibres in the turf and this is usually measured in stitches per square metre. When it comes to pile density, it’s not just a question of aesthetics. It also has a significant impact upon how resilient your lawn is.
The higher the pile density, the more durable the turf will be. So, if your lawn will endure intensive footfall or boisterous use, it’s important to consider the pile density of the grass you are buying.
Colour
There are a massive range of colour variations in artificial grass and it’s up to you to assess the colour that you would like for your garden. For example, a ‘natural’ looking lawn should feature a ‘thatch’ that is essentially brown flecks that have been added to the green to make it look more realistic.
Many companies offer free samples that you should take them up on before going ahead with an artificial lawn. This will allow you to see and feel the turf and get an understanding of the colour and how it will look in the space you are planning to have it.
For example, if you are having the lawn laid in a place that does not get a lot of sun, or is sheltered, you may want to choose a brighter coloured lawn over the most natural looking one to brighten up the space.
Before you buy, it is essential that you spend some time considering how your artificial lawn will be used and who will be using it. Once you have assessed these factors you can go about picking the most suitable, most natural looking turf that is fit for purpose, long lasting, and practical.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.