When you hear “artificial turf”, you may instantly think of athletic stadiums. But landscaping with artificial grass isn’t limited to commercial landscapes. Instead, it possesses unlimited potential for both commercial and residential landscaping needs. So, installing synthetic turf is a good choice, whether operating a small or large business on a massive plot of land or tending to a small or sizable property with sprawling greenery at home. Let’s explore this further.
What is Artificial Turf?
Artificial grass, also known as synthetic turf, is a man-made surface made to look and feel like natural grass. It’s composed of synthetic fibres tufted or woven into a backing material. Commonly used in sports arenas and stadiums, artificial turf has seen an uptick in popularity for landscaping in both residential and commercial settings in recent years.
The Advantages of Artificial Grass
There are plenty of reasons why artificial turf is advantageous, but here are the main ones:
Low Maintenance
Unlike natural grass, which requires fertilisers, mulch, and general care all year round, artificial turf requires little to no maintenance, which saves you time and money in the long run.
Puddling
Hosting events in big stadiums and arenas must continue even after a rainy day. While mud and puddling would be a problem with natural turf, that won’t be an issue with artificial grass since it eliminates puddling, making your landscape look great even after a rainstorm.
Stain-Free
It doesn’t get stained by grass clippings or leaves, so it always looks pristine and event-ready.
No Bald Patches
Artificial grass doesn’t dry out or die, so there will be no bare spots or patches of dead grass. This way, your landscaping will look uniform and beautiful no matter the season.
Shade isn’t an Issue
Shade is an enemy for most natural turf in Perth. But since synthetic grass doesn’t get damaged by shade, you don’t have to worry about patches of dead grass.
Child and Pet-Friendly
Artificial turf is great for children and pets since they can safely run around the yard without issue. Foot traffic and drainage also wouldn’t be a problem, which means they can play in the yard to their hearts’ content even after a rainstorm. It’s usually for this reason that homeowners also use artificial grass for landscaping.
No Harsh Chemicals
Unlike natural grass, which may require herbicides or pesticides at times, this won’t be necessary for artificial grass. It also doesn’t need harsh fertilisers that cause algae overgrowth in local bodies of water since it will remain green and lush no matter what.
Cost-Effective
You may think the initial installation is expensive. But if you compare that to the long-term benefits you get, you will realise that it’s actually an excellent and cost-effective investment. Since it’s synthetic, you won’t worry about watering, replacing, or reviving it.
There are many reasons to choose artificial turf, but these are some of the most compelling. Thanks to these, more and more are choosing to go with artificial turf installation.
Common Residential Uses for Artificial Grass
Now that we’ve gone over some of the advantages of landscaping with artificial turf, let’s explore some of its most common uses in residential settings.
Dog Runs
Artificial grass is a favourite among pet lovers since it gives their pets free reign over the yard. With it, their humans can rest easy since they won’t have to worry about ruts, holes, or urine spots their pets may cause. Synthetic grass also makes cleaning up after them a breeze.
Play Areas
Fake grass isn’t just great for pets. It’s also excellent for children because it improves the play area’s safety. It provides a smooth surface free of uneven spots or holes, minimising the risk of trips and falls. Homeowners can also install a pad underneath to provide additional cushion to protect from rough landing off slides or monkey bars.
Once again, it’s also free of toxic chemicals that can pose health risks to children.
Backyard Sports Fields
You can fully enjoy sports at home with an excellent surface perfect for outdoor sports. Since the grass provides an even field, you won’t have to worry about bumps and dips that could mess up your game.
You can also play golf in your backyard or indoors, making it easier to practice your short game no matter the weather. Best of all, having an indoor putting green can increase your home’s value.
Landscaping
Who wants a house with a dumpy yard? No one. But the thing is, not everybody also has the time or money to spend on proper and regular lawn care. Thanks to residential artificial grass, homeowners can still have their piece of lush and vibrant greenery without worrying about maintenance and water bills. Best of all, they won’t have to do many maintenance chores besides regular cleaning.
Outdoor Living Spaces
Artificial turf can be used to create a beautiful outdoor living area that’s maintenance-free. You can install it on balconies, patios, and decks to showcase a lovely green aesthetic. It also gives a more natural feel in places where real grass wouldn’t grow.
If installed around pools, it also gives added texture to the surface, making it safer and nicer to walk on.
Hill Sides
Artificial grass is a favourite for homeowners with properties that have steep inclines since it makes it harder to cut or mow natural grass. Artificial grass won’t have that problem since it retains its appearance and doesn’t grow, making grass cutting unnecessary.
Common Commercial Uses for Artificial Grass
Thanks to its ability to quickly transform outdoor spaces, many businesses use artificial turf for their properties. Synthetic grass has many large-scale applications that make it perfect for commercial use. Here are the most common applications:
Schools
School ovals and playgrounds must be clean and ready for use, not just during events. Thanks to artificial turf’s low-maintenance and hardy qualities, it has become a favourite among many institutions.
Golf Courses
Many golf courses have started using artificial turf recently. It’s more durable than natural grass, easily withstanding the wear and tear of golf carts and golf shoes. It also doesn’t require much maintenance and doesn’t need watering, so it’s a more environmentally friendly choice.
Public Playgrounds
Playgrounds are another common use for artificial turf. It’s safe for children and provides a soft, cushioned surface for them to play on. It also eliminates the need for landscaping services to regularly mow the grass, which saves time and money, especially for substantial commercial properties.
Commercial Lawns
A well-manicured lawn is the cornerstone of any good landscaping design. But natural grass can be challenging to maintain. Artificial turf eliminates the need for regular watering, mowing, and fertilising. It also doesn’t get damaged by shade, so you can have a beautiful lawn even if your property is partially shaded.
Shop Fittings
Artificial grass is a great way to give your office space or shop a facelift, adding character and charm to your business. Since its design creates a smooth surface for high-traffic areas, it provides an indoor decorative element to your business that also accounts for the comfort of your employees or customers.
Tips for Artificial Turf Maintenance
Although synthetic grass requires minimal maintenance, you will still need to take care of it from time to time, especially if you have pets that may urinate on the grass. Spilled food and drinks can also make a mess on your lawn. Here’s how you take care of your artificial grass to keep it pristine and prolong its lifespan:
Regular Cleaning: Clean the grass at least once a week using a rake or brush for large debris and a leaf blower for smaller pieces of junk. You can also rinse the grass lightly to wash away dust.
Keep an Eye on Pet Waste: It won’t be hard to do this since pets generally relieve themselves in the same spot, so you’ll only need to clean a small area. Be sure to disinfect the area afterwards.
Food and Beverage Spills: If you leave food and drink spills too long in your artificial grass, they can sink into its material and become harder to clean.
Mould: Although mould growth is rare, it can still happen due to neglected food remnants and pet waste that wasn’t cleaned properly. Spray mouldy areas with a mixture of vinegar and water and rinse with a hose.
Go Artificial with Professional Landscapers
Artificial turf is an excellent option if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, high-quality landscaping solution. However, remember that the company you choose for artificial lawn installation is just as crucial as the material you use. You can rest assured that everything will be done right by choosing a trusted company, from inspection to fitting and installation.
With that, choose Green Oasis Lawn and Reticulation for premium lawn-laying services that you won’t find anywhere else. As a team of dedicated turf professionals with over 15 years of experience, we know all the right ways to do landscaping with artificial grass.
Moreover, our team is not only fully qualified and insured, but we also work with our clients to find the most affordable and cost-effective solutions. Get in touch with us today to know more about how we can help you.
