There is a huge range of synthetic grass products of varying quality and price available in the Australian market. So, how do you choose the right synthetic grass that ticks all your boxes?
Given synthetic grass is widely used in schools, sporting venues, commercial spaces and increasingly homes, there are different styles suitable for multiple applications.
To help you through the decision-making process here are some factors to consider when choosing your synthetic grass product:
Use:
What type of area is the grass being installed? Is it a decorative lawn, poolside surround, grassed-patio, or well-used backyard? How you plan to use the grassed area will determine the grass you choose.
Synthetic grass installers should be able to advise the type of grass – pile height, density, weight, and colour – that is best suited to your space, as well as recommend a specific product.
It’s worthwhile to request samples from your installer so that you can compare the different products and make an informed choice. Synthetic grass is a long-term investment so it’s important to select the grass that both suits your needs and appeals to you.
Quality:
When you buy quality synthetic grass it doesn’t necessarily equate to being the most expensive product in the market. Thanks to healthy competition and new entrants to the marketplace, there are now plenty of affordable, quality-grade artificial turf products available.
While cost is often a consideration when selecting synthetic grass, you also need to factor in whether the product is:
- Soft to touch
- Evenly backed
- Well-stitched tufts
- Consistent colour
- UV resistant
- Stain resistant
- Certified lead-free
Synthetic grass that offers comfort, aesthetic and durability is a sound investment.
Features:
The features of your synthetic grass will, once again, depend on where you plan to install the grass and how you intend to use the space.
Features to consider are:
1. Pile height
Pile is the “upright blades” of synthetic grass and the height is measured in millimetres from the top of the grass backing to the tip of the blade.
Typically, shorter pile height is more hard-wearing and used – often with a layer of flexible padding beneath the turf to meet safety requirements – for sport surfaces and in pre-schools and playgrounds.
Whereas longer pile height is more visually appealing and softer underfoot, and often used in landscaping, residential lawns, and backyards.
2. Density and weight
Good quality turf will usually have greater density and weight. Density is both the linear density of the yarn and the number of stitches per square metre of the turf. Weight is the heaviness of the yarn in kilograms by the square metre of the area. Greater density and weight will give you fuller, more lush grass.
3. Colour
When choosing the colour of your artificial grass, the greener the grass the less natural it tends to appear.
To achieve a natural look for your home, opting for a shade of green with a brown fleck (known as ‘thatch’), or a grass product that uses multiple shades of green more closely imitates the appearance of natural turf.
Greens come in different shades and can provide a very different effect:
- Light green – subdued and earthy
- Bright green – fresh and lively
- Dark green – traditional
- Yellow-green – energised and bold
The different shades of green available also make it easier to match existing real grass.
Installation:
While synthetic grass installation may seem simple to do yourself, to achieve an even surface, neat seams, clean, sharp edges and a finished result requires skill and experience.
When choosing a company to install your synthetic grass it’s best to consider how established they are, and how much experience they have – ideally you want a company that can manage the whole process; from sourcing the product to installation.
If you’re paying a company to install your grass, it also pays to make sure the products they use are of high-quality. Australian made products are designed and manufactured for the Australian conditions, always check the manufacturer label to make sure you are getting the quality that you expect
One of the most important parts of the installation process is preparing the sub base – the layer directly under the synthetic grass. There are numerous sub-base materials. Generally, a crusher dust base is recommended, which can be screeded (levelled) easily and compacted, but still allows moisture transfer between the base (this is the crusher dust) and sub base (which is usually soil under the base). Correct sub base preparation can prolong the life of your synthetic grass.
Another important component is the infill process – materials like graded kiln dried sand and rubber granules spread over the grass after it has been installed. The infill gives an even cover and settles well into the pile to provide some weight and body to the grass and to protect the base of the yarn.
Warranty:
Finally, it’s always recommended to check the manufacturer’s warranty, which is usually up to 15 years.
