
"I'm frequently asked by customers about artificial grass (and by friends in the pub on a Friday night, as sad as that is...). Some of the most common things I'm asked are "which grass should I choose best?" and "can I do a DIY artificial grass job and fit it myself?"
"Let me start by saying that, although not everyone's cup of tea, artificial grass is a pretty amazing thing - it looks good, it can add value to your property and instead of spending 90 minutes out there cutting the lawn, you can enjoy spending your spare time in the way that you should - with your feet up, watching the footy instead!
"And it's personality is more like that of a cat than a dog, in that you can pretty much leave it to its own devices and it will still reward you and bring you much joy and happiness for many years to come (for the record, I'm not suggesting 'leaving a cat to fend for itself' - I've owned cats in the past and they did receive a lot of attention from me and my family - probably too much!). Aside from the odd watering down to keep it clean and some 'fluffing up' with a rake, your new grass will brighten up your outdoor space and can last for up to 30 years.
"Let's be clear about one really important aspect - fitting artificial grass shouldn't ever be likened to fitting a carpet. Yes, it can be done 'at home' so to speak but having worked in the landscaping trade for a number of years, I have seen some 'grass disasters' and wouldn't recommend it (unless you're au fait in that area).
"My TOP TIPS for investing in artificial grass:
1. Make sure your grass is 100% lead-free. If it isn't, it could be a threat to children, pets and wildlife. Much of the grass you find for sale in the UK has been imported. Try to find a manufacturer in the UK so that you know its true origin and authenticity.
2. The person fitting your grass ideally needs to be a professional and experienced landscaper - sadly, fitting grass isn't the same as fitting a carpet and, if not laid correctly, can cause all kinds of problems (including poor drainage and 'lifting'!). Depending on the surface, the ground to which the grass is being fitted can need a fair bit of preparation - beware of the 'cowboys' who turn up with only a hammer and a smile!
3. Does it look like real grass? Ok, so it sounds like an obvious point to make...but does the product you're investing in look and feel like the good stuff? If not, it would be a good idea to check out what else is available on the market.
4. Ask for a sample and take your socks off - you should also be able to ask your fitter, or supplier, for a sample so that you can see and touch it. Try taking your shoes and socks off and walking on it barefoot (yes, really - when my fiancee and I first started in business, our entire house was filled with samples of this and that, so that we could find the best products!)....only this way will you be able to truly experience how the grass will feel when it finds its new home in your garden."
To find out more about Stonecraft Landscape & Design's artificial grass service, see our page on artificial grass.
"Let me start by saying that, although not everyone's cup of tea, artificial grass is a pretty amazing thing - it looks good, it can add value to your property and instead of spending 90 minutes out there cutting the lawn, you can enjoy spending your spare time in the way that you should - with your feet up, watching the footy instead!
"And it's personality is more like that of a cat than a dog, in that you can pretty much leave it to its own devices and it will still reward you and bring you much joy and happiness for many years to come (for the record, I'm not suggesting 'leaving a cat to fend for itself' - I've owned cats in the past and they did receive a lot of attention from me and my family - probably too much!). Aside from the odd watering down to keep it clean and some 'fluffing up' with a rake, your new grass will brighten up your outdoor space and can last for up to 30 years.
"Let's be clear about one really important aspect - fitting artificial grass shouldn't ever be likened to fitting a carpet. Yes, it can be done 'at home' so to speak but having worked in the landscaping trade for a number of years, I have seen some 'grass disasters' and wouldn't recommend it (unless you're au fait in that area).
"My TOP TIPS for investing in artificial grass:
1. Make sure your grass is 100% lead-free. If it isn't, it could be a threat to children, pets and wildlife. Much of the grass you find for sale in the UK has been imported. Try to find a manufacturer in the UK so that you know its true origin and authenticity.
2. The person fitting your grass ideally needs to be a professional and experienced landscaper - sadly, fitting grass isn't the same as fitting a carpet and, if not laid correctly, can cause all kinds of problems (including poor drainage and 'lifting'!). Depending on the surface, the ground to which the grass is being fitted can need a fair bit of preparation - beware of the 'cowboys' who turn up with only a hammer and a smile!
3. Does it look like real grass? Ok, so it sounds like an obvious point to make...but does the product you're investing in look and feel like the good stuff? If not, it would be a good idea to check out what else is available on the market.
4. Ask for a sample and take your socks off - you should also be able to ask your fitter, or supplier, for a sample so that you can see and touch it. Try taking your shoes and socks off and walking on it barefoot (yes, really - when my fiancee and I first started in business, our entire house was filled with samples of this and that, so that we could find the best products!)....only this way will you be able to truly experience how the grass will feel when it finds its new home in your garden."
To find out more about Stonecraft Landscape & Design's artificial grass service, see our page on artificial grass.