How to lay artificial grass, choose the best type and keep it clean for a low maintenance garden

Artificial grass has many appealing attributes, one of the most prominent being how easy it is to keep it looking neat and fresh throughout the year.

Rolls of faux grass will stay green, so there’s no need to patch up with grass seed or water in hot weather. Plus, it remains the same length, so you won’t need to keep hauling out the lawn mower.

Jessica Fox of specialist artificial turf supplier Grass Direct says, “artificial grass offers a wide range of perks, including being long-lasting, low-maintenance, and looking great all year round.”

Stephen Pitcher, Garden and Seasonal Director at Homebase, agrees, adding that an artificial choice offers a “real grass look but with greater wear and weather resistance.”

There’s no soil to worry about either. Faux grass is also a versatile option for those who aren’t able to grow natural grass in their gardens.

For other helpful information on curating your ideal outdoor space, we have put together a simple guide to creating a garden balcony, plus some inspiring ideas for small gardens, too.

In this guide, we explain some of the key things you need to know before buying artificial turf, as well as how to care for it and how to install artificial grass in clear, simple steps call Artificial grass Perth for more help.

How much is artificial grass?

“There’s a huge range of artificial grass styles, with prices starting from as low as £8.99 per square metre for entry level options,” says Jessica of Grass Direct. Prices can climb to £50 plus, depending on the brand and style.

Rolls are available in varying lengths and widths, as well as in square tile form. As with any product, the cost of the grass will depend on the quality as well as the quantity you need.

“At the higher end, you can expect the artificial grass to be made up of different shades and offering a thicker texture to give a more realistic look,” says Jessica.

When choosing your artificial turf, you will need to consider the pile height (how long the blades of fake grass will be) as well as the pile density. The higher the pile density number is, the thicker and fuller the grass will look, and likely the more it will cost.

Your costs will also greatly depend on the size of the area you are covering. Make sure you measure the space accurately so you’re not left with wastage, or needing to order extra rolls.

You can also order samples from most retailers before making a final decision, which should cost no more than a few pounds.

How to lay artificial grass

You can choose to have your artificial grass installed by a professional and there are a number of local tradespeople, as well as larger retailers, who will be able to offer this service.

Grass Direct recommend Rated People and My Builder “for quality and assurance, as these are certified fitters and you can check out previous installs to make sure you’re happy with their standard of work” before you book.

You can also lay artificial grass yourself at home and you should allow a day or two to complete the job, depending on the size of your outdoor space. This will be an easier task with two people working together, especially if you have a large garden.

We explain how to lay artificial grass with expert advice below.

You will need:

  Artificial grass

  Weed membrane

  Craft knife

  Jointing tape

  Adhesive

  Ground pins

  Underlay (if desired)

  Builders’ sand and spade (if replacing natural grass)