What are the benefits of artificial grass installation?

Summer has officially started, which means once again, many of us will begin the process of deciding whether it’s time to finally sort out the garden. Creating the outdoor environment of your dreams is one of the most common desires for British homeowners, but restrictive budgets or poor weather can frequently get in the way.

However, with this year looking set to be yet another bumper summer, there’s arguably never been a better time to get the job done. In this blog, we detail one option for your garden that has become increasingly popular of late; artificial grass. We’ll explain the benefits of the solution, provide guidance on how to get it installed and help ensure you get the best quote from landscaping professionals.

The benefits of artificial grass

As a nation, we’re famed for our beautiful smooth, green grass. Whether that be the luscious surfaces at Wimbledon or the hallowed turf of Wembley, it’s something that’s deeply ingrained into our national identity. When artificial grass was first introduced to the UK market, the solution didn’t entirely take off the same as it had abroad.

Fortunately, in the intervening years, the materials used for artificial grass solutions have significantly evolved. Nowadays, the line between natural grass and artificial turf has never been so blurred. Not only are artificial lawns easier to manage, but they’re also better for the environment, requiring no environmentally harming pesticides to keep pristine.

Here are some of the reasons why artificial grass might be the perfect solution for your home:

Less maintenance, more fun

It goes without saying, but one of the biggest advantages of artificial grass is that it requires significantly less maintenance than natural grass. This means that once your turf is laid, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy your new garden without worrying about weeds or mowing it.

Reduce your water bills

Keeping grass products looking vibrant requires a lot of watering, primarily through the summer months. Of course, this contributes to monthly utility bills and can be a considerable cost depending on the size of your garden. Not to mention the environmental issues associated with too much water usage. Moving to artificial turf eliminates this issue as the product requires minimal maintenance, regardless of the weather.

No more mud

If you’ve got kids, the comparative advantages of artificial turf against grass are seriously amplified. Children can use the garden all-year-round with no risk of grass and mud stains ruining their clothes.

Installation

If you have decided that artificial turf is suitable for your home, it is now time to look into having it laid. Laying artificial grass is a relatively straightforward task and some experienced DIY or garden enthusiasts might feel comfortable attempting the process themselves. However, to achieve the level of accuracy and aesthetic value often promoted across supplier’s websites, we recommend choosing a trusted landscaping professional to do the job for you.

While representing an additional initial cost, investing in a professional installation could save you money in the long run. For one, the product will be laid to a high standard, which means it will not need relaying after a few years. What’s more, if you attempt the installation process yourself and make a mistake along the way, the fix often requires you to rip turf up and start the process again. Both of these situations result in a far higher cost than bringing in an expert.

Choosing an installer

With so many landscaping professionals around, it’s essential you can differentiate between the good and the bad. As always, a great place to start is a trusted tradesperson site, like Checkatrade. We run strict background checks on tradespeople before they can become members. This ensures peace of mind that a Checkatrade professional will be someone you can trust. In total, we have over 30,000 recommended, vetted and monitored trade and service providers on our site.

To get a detailed review of the costs of installing artificial grass, read our artificial grass cost guide. This guide covers all aspects of artificial grass installation with valuable expert tips from our expert Chris Osborne, owner of Lazylawn.

Even when using a service like Checkatrade, it’s wise to source several quotes. We’d recommend getting at least three to ensure that you’re not paying over the odds on your project. At the same time, remember that there’s a lot of variance on the artificial grass market and some products will represent a far higher standard of turf than others. Ask the installer to provide details of the lawn they plan to install, then do some of your own research to work out what’s best for you. Ensure that any quote you receive is fully itemised and ask for a breakdown of any costs have not been fully explained.