Feb 21st,2023
Natural grass can cause a lot of trouble.
If your lawn is currently dry, patchy, overgrown, or all of the above, you'll know what we mean.
You've probably tried everything in your power to make sure your lawn looks as good as possible.
Sowing, weeding, aerating, scarifying, mowing... you name it, you've tried it.
All the while, money and energy are being spent, to no avail.
Kids, pets or a lack of good enough grass growing conditions could mean you have no chance at all.
However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a lush green lawn that's low maintenance and can stand up to everyday use at home.
What you may need is artificial grass. Its durable, hard-wearing properties mean it can be installed in back garden lawns, front gardens, children's play areas, schools, offices and commercial establishments.
If you're frustrated with your garden lawn, it might be time to invest in fake grass.
In this article, we'll explore 7 signs you should invest in artificial turf.
Without further ado, let's get started!
1. You’re Tired of Mowing The Lawn
There's no denying that some people (maybe crazy,) really enjoy mowing their lawns. If you are one of them, great!
But for many people, mowing the lawn is the chore they dread most.
With today's busy lifestyles, this is totally understandable.
Faced with the choice of relaxing in the garden with your favorite drink or walking up and down the lawn with the lawn mower, you're tempted to spend the little free time many of us have to do something you enjoy .
Of course, for artificial turf, you can sell the lawn mower, because obviously, it doesn't need to be mowed!
While not completely "maintenance free" as some claim, the maintenance involved is minimal compared to a real lawn.
All it needs is occasional brushing with a stiff broom to keep the fibers in tip-top condition and remove built-up debris.
This will save you a lot of valuable free time, so you can sit back and relax, feet relaxed, safe knowing you've got your award winning lawn without any hard work.
For more information on how to maintain artificial turf, we've put together this handy guide.
2. You’re Struggling to Grow Real Grass
A lush green lawn can do wonders to the look of any garden, so it's no wonder so many people invest so much time and effort into maintaining their lawns.
But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the real grass just won't grow.
There can be many reasons for grass not growing, but it is a real problem for many gardens up and down the UK.
If your lawn is surrounded by large trees, you know the odds are against you for a real lawn. That's because trees absorb a lot of water from the surrounding area and block sunlight.
This makes grass growing conditions far from ideal.
It's not just trees, however, as many gardens have areas that receive little sunlight, and if grass struggles to grow there, it can make the rest of the garden look untidy.
Because fake grass can survive conditions where real grass and plants might not be habitable, many homeowners choose artificial grass as an alternative to real garden lawns.
So if you find yourself struggling to grow grass in your garden, you may wish to consider artificial grass as an alternative.
3. The Dog Has Ruined Your Lawn
Let's face it, real grass and dogs are not compatible.
Many pet owners are understandably frustrated with having to constantly clean muddy paws and clean muddy paw prints every time their pet ventures into the garden.
Peeing, digging, and general playing are all bad news for a true garden lawn. It can make lawn maintenance feel like a losing battle.
But just because you have a dog, doesn't mean you shouldn't have the right to a lush green lawn that looks great year round.
The artificial grass won't tarnish with urine or solids, and it's durable enough for even the biggest furry friends.
If your dog likes to dig, fear not, because they can't dig too.
For these reasons, fake grass is especially popular with dog owners.
With artificial turf, you'll be able to enjoy an award-winning lawn that's low maintenance and durable enough to handle even the most energetic of canine friends. And, best of all, no more muddy paw prints!
4. The Kids Have Ruined Your Lawn
Understandably, kids love to play outside.
Outdoor activity should of course also be encouraged as it promotes physical and mental health and improves physical fitness and motor skills.
However, heavy use of children tearing up garden lawns is not ideal for natural grass.
The result is often a mottled lawn that is not at all pleasing to the eye.
Artificial grass is great for kids as it is hard-wearing enough to withstand a variety of activities and games.
They can even play on it year-round without parents having to worry about mud and mess because there's none. Winters in the UK have been mild in recent years, which means that even in winter, children can still play outside, which is a relief for parents, as they can burn off some energy in the garden.
If your garden has climbing frames, slides or other such play equipment, you may wish to consider installing 10mm foam cushioning (or 20mm foam underlayment for an extra soft feel) under the artificial turf.
This foam padding cushions any falls and prevents potential head injuries. It will also leave your turf feeling soft and bouncy underfoot.
You can request a free sample of our artificial grass and see for yourself how realistic our artificial grass really is.
5. Your Hay Fever Is Out Of Control
Hay fever affects 10% to 30% of adults and up to 40% of children.
More and more people are suffering from hay fever.
That means a lot of people out there dread spring and early summer because that's when grass pollen is at its highest.
Sneezing, runny nose or itchy eyes are all common symptoms associated with hay fever.
The best way to control hay fever is to avoid pollen exposure, but this can prove especially difficult during the time of year when you most want to be outdoors.
Mowing grass is a trigger for releasing pollen into the air, but as a proud homeowner, you may have no choice but to fight over mowing.
However, for people with hay fever, there is another option.
Artificial grass is hypoallergenic and helps prevent hay fever, so you can get out in the garden and enjoy spring and summer with others.
6. Your Lawn Suffers From Poor Drainage
Many gardens have poor drainage.
This can be due to a variety of factors, such as the clay content of the soil, a high water table, or if your garden is located at the foot of a mountain or in an area prone to flooding.
Poor drainage can result in swampy, patchy lawns that are unusable after downpours.
Some unlucky gardens and lawns may experience these problems most of the year, only drying out in the height of summer.
However, artificial grass is fully permeable, allowing up to 50 liters of rainfall per square meter per hour to drain through it.
This is due to the perforations located on the artificial grass backing.
As long as a permeable sub-base is installed, this water drains to the ground below rather than resting on the lawn surface.
Fake grass will greatly improve your lawn's drainage, allowing you to keep using it even after a downpour.
Perfect for those showers that always get used to dragging the BBQ out.
7. The Ongoing Maintenance Costs Are Adding Up
This is especially true for those who hire professional gardeners to maintain their lawns.
The cost of a professional gardener's weekly or fortnightly visits can add up over time.
Homeowners with large lawns or little spare time often have no choice but to hire a professional to keep their garden from quickly turning into a jungle.
Of course, not everyone has a professional gardener maintaining their lawn for them, but even maintaining a lawn through your own hard work has an associated financial cost.
Lawn mowers, aerators, scarifiers and copious amounts of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are often required to maintain a healthy, natural garden lawn.
Also, the cost of this equipment and all the chemicals can really start to go up over time.
Not to mention the extra electricity or fuel usage required by such devices.
High-quality artificial grass properly installed using the correct installation method will typically last 15 to 20 years, depending on the level of use (for example, a lawn in a front garden may last longer due to relatively little use).
There is no denying the initial outlay when it comes to installing artificial turf, but compared to the ongoing maintenance costs of real turf, many customers typically begin to see a return on investment after 5-10 years.
Of course, don't forget that artificial turf can also increase the value of a property, as they are a great selling point for many homeowners; many of our clients have installed artificial grass to help sell their properties quickly.
Installing artificial turf makes good economic sense while also saving you the most important commodity: your time.
Conclusion
We know maintaining your lawn can be a headache. But it doesn't have to be.
There is a simple solution to all your garden problems.
Artificial turf is perfect for those who want an award-winning lawn that requires no maintenance.
The technology used in today's artificial grass means that it is now difficult to tell real grass from fake grass. You have to see it to believe it.
If you are interested in artificial grass for lawns, roof gardens or commercial applications, request a free artificial grass sample today and see how realistic your UdineGrass artificial turf can be.
You may also find our "7 Important Considerations When Choosing the Best Artificial Turf" an interesting read, or our "How much does artificial turf cost?" guide helpful.