Astro Turf / Artificial Grass

LauraS56

Most of my garden is artificial grass. When I bought the house, I saw the garden was run through with equisetum, the worst weed you can get. Also I had 2 dogs at the time, and the grass lawn at my previous house was ruined by pee-burn. I now have 4 dogs, and it's very easy to clean up after them, the 'grass' always looks good and tidy, and I can dump my wet washing straight onto it before pegging it out and there's never a mark on it; there's no mud tracked into the house and the dogs can run about on it any time of year without making a mess.


I did most of the prep myself, and it had 2 weedproof membranes, one either side of the gritsand layer it lies on. I haven't had much problem with weeds. The equisetum came up through the drain holes a bit for the first couple of years, but I'd pull them up as soon as they came through and now it seems to have given up. Once I'm sure the equisetum is conquered, I'll have more borders for plants.


I have trees and shrubs planted through it, and a wild bog area where my garden borders the canal.


One day, after I'd been sawing up so logs, I was running the vacuum over the 'grass' to clear up the sawdust. A man cycling on the canal towpath opposite did a double-take and fell off his bike!

PierremontQuaker03

Thanks everybody for the responses - I will get Easigrass round for a quote - the one thing that puts me off Easigrass is that they are a Franchise - so it is a lucky dip on how good they will be, in terms of the environment I have a mass of border plants and even a massive tree in my garden, which I am leaving in - so even if I do get artificial grass my garden is certainly doing its bit for the environment!

timbo29_2

Hi LauraS56

Thanks for your post. I have been looking round for someone who has fitted there own artificial grass.

I'm just writing a 'shopping' list of bits and pieces I need to buy to do the job. I know I want to get a good quality weed membrane and the artificial grass itself, but could you recommend what other bits and pieces I will need?

Do you simply fix the weed membrane in with ground pins?

I have been on the website artificialgrass-direct which is quite good, but wondered if you had any hints or tips?

Thanks
Tim

pd001

timbo29 wrote: »

Hi LauraS56

Thanks for your post. I have been looking round for someone who has fitted there own artificial grass.

I'm just writing a 'shopping' list of bits and pieces I need to buy to do the job. I know I want to get a good quality weed membrane and the artificial grass itself, but could you recommend what other bits and pieces I will need?

Do you simply fix the weed membrane in with ground pins?

I have been on the website artificialgrass-direct which is quite good, but wondered if you had any hints or tips?

Thanks
Tim

My stepson fits this all the time and like anything else, preparation is the key
Starting from the bottom.

Level ground...
Weed membrane (2 layers if you can)...
Layer of crushed stone, whacked down...
Layer of sand, on top of crushed stone, whacked down...
Wood around the whole of the border so that the top of the wood is level with the layer of sand...
Lay grass...
Fix grass to wood border

Sit back and smile at such a beautiful finish

nobulljusttruth

Verdigrass in Lancs, sell direct and easy to lay. If you can prep it you can lay it

runforlife

I have some Everlawn samples. The quality is excellent and different types of lawn finish / length. It'll be going down on a 10m square slab of concrete. DIY price including membrane, sand and timber around £350. https://www.everlawn.co.uk

dominoman

If you dislike grass that much wouldn't you be better paving it all with some original flagstones. Fake grass never looks like real grass, whatever anyone says. You'll know it is fake and so will your neighbours and visitors.

When I was buying a house I saw one with artificial lawn and it was a massive turn-off, even though logic told me I could replace it with real lawn in a jiffy.
Mind you I also refused to buy a house with UPVC windows so maybe I'm just over fussy.

I am much happier with my uneven, weed-infested lawn and beautiful old wooden single-glazed windows, even if they are draughty and rotting.

Mark497

Having artificial grass in your lawn area is generally not a bad idea. Most of the people are going for this option even some of my neighbors have artificial grass installed. They are satisfied with it as their maintenance cost for lawn has went down.

The only disadvantage with the artificial grass is that it gets very hot during the summer so it is upto you to choose.

peachyprice

LauraS56 wrote: »

I can dump my wet washing straight onto it before pegging it out and there's never a mark on it;

Eeewww, how do you know where the 4 dogs have peed? _pale_

andrewf75

Mark497 wrote: »

Having artificial grass in your lawn area is generally not a bad idea. Most of the people are going for this option even some of my neighbors have artificial grass installed. They are satisfied with it as their maintenance cost for lawn has went down.
.

Most people?
I don't know anyone with artifical grass and most people I know would not consider the idea for one moment. I can see the advantage in certain situations, but generally I think most would say it is a bad idea!
Do you work for an artificial grass company by any chance?