1. What will the area be used for?

This is the first thing you should consider when deciding whether to invest in artificial grass. If the area is likely to see heavy footfall, with children and family playing on the lawn regularly, it worth looking into super spring grasses as these won’t flatten down after heavy footfall in the same way softer grasses do. If you intend to use the area for sports we recommend a short to mid-range pile height, usually between 18-30mm. We have a wide array of grasses that cater to all levels of footfall. If your lawn is more likely to be used by pets than people, read on…

2. Do you have dogs?

If you have dogs and they use the lawn as a toilet (whether frequently or occasionally) it is imperative that you choose a pet friendly artificial grass. Latex backed grasses do not have sufficient drainage to dispose of pet waste efficiently, leading to a build up of harmful bacteria and toxic ammonia over time. Pet friendly grasses, such as K9Turf and PetTurf, have a specialist quadro-bind backing that allows the entire backing to act as a drainage ‘hole’. It’s worth noting pet friendly grasses work in conjunction with Zeolite infill which causes pet urine to crystallise on contact, preventing any unpleasant smells from escaping until heavy rain or a good hose down washes the waste away.

3. What kind of maintenance is required?

Artificial grass is an investment, that you should reap the benefits of for years to come, but this is only possible with proper maintenance. The maintenance required will depend largely on the type of grass you have chosen for installation. A general rule of thumb for latex backed grasses, is that the longer the pile height – the more maintenance it will require. This is because gravity has a greater impact on longer yarns, causing them to lay down over extended periods of time. To remedy this, you will need to take a stiff bristled broom or mechanical brush and thoroughly brush through the yarns to return them to up-right position. If you have opted for pet friendly grass, this will require a higher level of maintenance, by using bio-enzyme cleaners on the lawn after pets use it at as a toilet, in addition to topping up the Zeolite infill as this depletes over time.

4. How long do you plan to have the site?

As we mentioned above, artificial grass is an investment! Whilst pulling up laid grass and re-installing it elsewhere isn’t unheard of, it’s probably won’t be so easy to sell your house if the lawn is a mudslide. Quality artificial grass should last you at least 10 years of service, the last thing you want is to have your install completed only to move the next year, so how long you plan to own/live at the site is definitely worth taking into consideration.

5. What’s your budget?

With artificial grass, and any other product really, you get what you pay for! If your installation is primarily for decorative purposes, it makes sense to save yourself the money and opt for a cheaper grass. However, if the installation area is somewhere you intend to use frequently for years to come, it’s worth investing in a higher quality grass (which will usually have a greater warranty and guarantee!). We pride ourselves on supplying a wide range of quality artificial grasses suited to all budgets and projects.

Do you love golfing? Just imagine being able to practice your putting without having to leave the comfort of your home garden. Save yourself the monthly golf club fees and invest in your home instead. An artificial grass putting greens mean the time you save travelling to and from the golf club can be better spent honing your skills, finding your flow and taking a few shots off your handicap whist you’re at it! Whatever your vision, it’s our mission to make your dream artificial lawn putting green a reality.

When completing an artificial grass putting green installation our aim is simple – to create a realistic golfing experience on your doorstep. We discuss your interests and requirements, with the goal of creating a bespoke putting green tailored to your golfing needs. Every putting green we have the pleasure of designing is bespoke in terms of shape and size, as well as including the option to incorporate elevations, undulations and obstructions to create a green which still offers a challenge regardless of your golf skills.

Often times people wish to transform their lawn to make better use of the space. A garden which is surrounded by trees, for example, is more likely to have heavy shade meaning the grass will struggle to grow into the luscious green turf most people think of when they imagine their dream lawn. Repurposing this space with an artificial grass putting green not only improves the overall aesthetics of your garden space, but also gives the area new function. We believe functionality should be at the forefront of any artificial grass installation as it’s an investment you should expect to enjoy for years to come!

So now you have your heart set on an artificial grass putting green, let’s discuss the best grass for the job. Our Yorkshire Pro Nylon Golf Grass is an extremely durable grass suitable for professional play or personal enjoyment. The grass has a 18mm pile height, perfect for putting, in addition to double CC shaped polypropylene yarns which allow the fibres to stand to attention without the support of sand or any other infill.

We hope that this blog has given you a valuable insight into the many possibilities artificial grass creates for at-home golf fanatics.  Ready to design your bespoke putting green? Get in touch today! We have a dedicated team of experts eager to make your vision a reality.

• What is infill?

Infill, in regards to artificial grass, refers to a product which is placed between the synthetic blades of grass. This is usually achieved by brushing the infill through the artificial grass fibres with a mechanical brush. The purpose of infill is to help the fibres stand up or return to their upright position after exposure to high pressure or heavy footfall.

• Benefits of infill

All non-spring back artificial grasses require some form of support in order for the blades to return to their upright position, particularly after heavy footfall or pressure applied to the blades. This is a mechanical function performed by the infill to keep the artificial grass looking as pristine as possible for as long as possible.

Infill not only helps to maintain the aesthetics of your artificial lawn, but it also gives a more realistic feel to grass as the infill mimics both the impact and absorption quality of soil under real turf. Additionally, if you have pets, infill is the ideal solution to ensuring your artificial grass doesn’t get too hot for your pets’ paws over the summer months.

• Types of infill

Sand is the most commonly used material for artificial grass infill, this is due to its vast availability and fairly low cost. However, its low cost is not without cons, as sand is not rounded but rather angular it can cause the fibres to break down over time. If you have pets it’s also worth noting that sand is notorious for harbouring moisture, creating the ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

• Pros of Zeolite

Zeolite is a non-toxic and pet safe volcanic mineral that has moisture absorbing properties. Zeolite is a popular artificial grass infill choice for pet owners as it functions similarly to kitty litter. As soon as pet waste hits the Zeolite infill it crystallises, along with any harmful bacteria it contains. The crystallised pet waste is then held by the Zeolite until rainfall, or a good hose down, washes the Zeolite away. This process works exclusively in tandem with ProFlow Polyurethane backed grasses, which can be found on products like K9Turf and PetTurf pet friendly artificial grasses.

• Application

To get the most even distribution of infill, it is recommended that a drop spreader is used to initially lay the infill. These can be purchased at any large DIY store or builder’s merchants. Once laid, the infill needs to be brushed into the artificial yarns using either a mechanical brush or a still bristled yard broom.

With summer edging ever closer and temperatures rising slowly but surely across the UK, we know more and more of our customers will be heading outside to enjoy their luscious artificial lawns. So we’ve put together some top tips for maximising your lawn use whilst ensuring your artificial lawn can be enjoyed by pets, friends and family alike all summer long! Here’s our top summer tips for your artificial grass this summer:

We are currently experiencing a (rare) heatwave across many parts of the UK, whilst most humans enjoy (or at the very least don’t mind) soaking up the sun, it’s important to ensure any pets are enjoying the sunshine safely. Some of the best ways to monitor your pets’ health during periods of excessive heat are:

• Keep pets well hydrated and water bottles/bowls topped up with cold water.
• Monitor the amount of time they spend outdoors in excessive sunlight.
• Make frozen treats by freezing their favourite snack in an ice cube.
• Ensure there is sufficient shade for them to rest in if they get too warm.

Artificial grass, like any conductive surface, will warm up on the summer days and if exposed to heightened sun for an extended period, the surface may become too hot for your pets’ paws to handle comfortably. The same can be said for toddlers and small children if playing outside for long periods of time, but this shouldn’t limit their playtime! We’ve put together some of the easiest solutions below:

• If your grass gets to hot the fastest way to cool down the entire site is saturating it with a garden hose or large watering can.
• Ensure there is sufficient shade for children and pets to rest in when they start to get warm, setting up a parasol or awning is ideal.
• Laying down a blanket for children to sit and play on provides a cool surface between their skin and the grass, this is also perfect for outdoor dining!

If you have pets, it’s important that you keep up with your artificial grass maintenance, especially in the summer months! Insufficient maintenance will result in a build-up of harmful bacteria and toxic ammonia left behind by pet waste, if left to fester this becomes impossible to remove. Check out our store for all your pet friendly cleaning products! Although, we do offer a professional maintenance service if you’d rather put your feet up and relax!