When you’re looking for artificial grass in Manchester, you certainly have loads of options, which means you may have a difficult choice to make. There’s no need to worry because this article is going to help you figure out which grass to choose and how to install it.
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1. Choosing
Height of Pile
You’ve got the freedom to choose whatever you prefer here. If you like how freshly cut grass looks, you can get something between 25 and 30 mm. If you’d like a lawn that looks more natural, choose something between 30 and 38 mm. Now, if you’re concerned about how long it will last, you should keep in mind that the shorter the height of the pile, the longer it will stay looking great. This is dependent on the material the pile is made from; however, since with nylon fibres, there’s no difference between how long the 25 and the 35 mm piles last.
Density
Another important aspect to consider is the density, since the more of it there is, the better the lawn will generally look. In addition, if your garden is used quite a bit, whether it’s because you spend a great deal of time in it, or you’ve got pets that like to run around, choosing a density that’s between 16,000 and 18,000 stitches per square meter is best. Ornamental lawns, on the other hand, can look great with a density between 13,000 and 16,000 stitches per square meter.
Colour
Just like it was the case with the height, you can pick the colour depending on what you prefer. There are plenty of shades of green available when it comes to artificial grass, so you shouldn’t have an issue with finding just the right one to suit your garden. Opting for artificial grass products will guarantee that the colour does not fade easily and is very durable. “Artificial grass is designed to last a long period, so you will want to make sure that you choose a product that can offer just that. Choosing a product that is made from high-quality materials and has a durable backing, like rubber or latex, will guarantee that it can last up to 10 years in your home and garden”, reported by BestOfMachinery’s Bob Robinson.
Plenty of manufacturers provide free samples, and you should seriously consider getting some to have a better chance of figuring out which colour actually looks better. You have to consider the different lighting that may be in your garden versus the one in the store, so it’s best to take a few samples home and compare them there.
Fire-Resistant
It is very important to ensure that the grass you’re picking is fire resistant, since if it is not, and there’s ever going to be a fire in your garden, everything is going to be affected quite fast. On the other hand, if your artificial turf is fire-resistant, the flames will not spread on it.
No Harmful Substances
The last thing you want is having your children or pets playing on grass that contains harmful substances such as lead. With that in mind, make sure to check that the artificial grass you’re getting has been tested and that it does not contain such things.
2. Installing
Get Your Materials Ready
When replacing real turf with artificial grass, you’ll have to start off by making sure that you have all the needed materials laid out. This includes a geotextile weed killer, a cutter made for turf, a Stanley knife, tape, and glue.
Figure Out the Height and Length
You may know the pile height, but the total height of the grass and the layers that go underneath is going to be higher. Be sure to calculate it, as well as the total length, so that you’ll be able to know how much of your garden you have to clear in preparation.
Get Rid of the Natural Grass
You can do this by hand if the area is small enough. However, if it’s a larger one, you are going to need a turf cutter.
Compact
Using a vibrating roller or a plate, start to compact the ground. If you don’t have this sort of equipment, you can hire it without paying a great deal of money.
Keep Weeds from Growing
The next step is to place a weed-killing membrane over the entire space that will be covered in false grass. This will not only ensure that weeds don’t start growing, messing up the look of your fake grass, but it will also act as drainage.
Sand
Once all of this is done, it’s time to spread some sand over the area. Make sure that it’s not less than 40mm of compacted sand (which you can compact with your vibrating roller or plate).
Roll the Grass and Let it Settle
You can now roll out the grass, but make sure that you allow it at least 3 hours to settle. Ideally, you should leave it overnight. This is important to avoid creasing.
Cut, Join, and Pin
With a Stanley knife, you can now cut the extra edges. Then, with outdoor tape and glue, join the grass together. Be sure to leave some heavy items for a few hours on the spots where the tape and glue were applied. Finally, using landscaping pins, pin the fake grass down.