Installing Artificial Grass

Installing Artificial Grass

Many West Australians have chosen a side on the artificial grass debate. While other new building materials in landscaping are welcomed and easy to accept, particularly when their benefits create solutions to landscaping dilemmas, what has made a difficult introduction for artificial grass is the notion that it is pretending to be something living when it's not. Other landscaping materials do not claim to be anything other than they are, and many originate from natural products, such as reconstituted limestone, or timber decking.

You certainly won't be criticised for decorating your outdoor space with rugs and soft furnishings under your patio roof to make the area more comfortable, so why the negative attitude toward artificial grass? After all, isn't it just outdoor carpet? Doesn't it make sense that it is designed to blend in with the landscape with it's resemblance to grass? Chances are, if you are adding artificial grass to an area, you might have otherwise considered pavers or other hard surfaces to be rid of the hassles of maintaining real grass. Perhaps if artificial grass were instead called outdoor carpet, and came in any colour other than grass green, it could have had a smoother landing in the market.

The modern landscape is all about low maintenance, and artificial grass offers just that. And there are some tricks to make your artificial grass look more natural.

1. Lay your grass in the right direction.

Most, if not all, landscaping artificial grass products have directional blades, meaning they don't stand straight up, but rather they slope in a particular direction. You can see this most clearly before new artificial grass is swept up- the grass lies flat in one direction when it is new off the roll.

Artificial grass looks most natural when you are looking into the head of the blades, rather than across the top of the blades, that can look unnaturally shiny in direct sunlight. Choose where the artificial grass will be viewed from most often, or which direction is most important for the artificial grass to look it's best.

2. Surround your artificial grass with plants.

Artificial grass looks most natural surrounding, or being surrounded by, plants. Not only does a couple of stray leaves on your artificial grass make it look more natural, but the green of the grass becomes one with the different natural greens of the plants. Consider surrounding trees with your artificial grass, or having garden beds up against your artificial grass, with the green foliage spilling over.

3. Make it 3 dimensional.

Natural grass isn't usually dead flat. In preparing your area for artificial grass, it may be tempting to level the area completely flat. It is easier to make the area flat, as you will need to compact the cracker dust prior to installing your artificial grass, and a compactor works best on a flat surface. Therefore, if you are paying a contractor to install your artificial grass, they might insist on the area being flat, or might charge extra for even a small slope to the area. But even a small hump or slope can be very effective in creating a more natural looking grass area.

4. Add curves.

Once again, adding curves to your artificial grass area will cost you more. As artificial grass comes off a roll, unusual shapes and smaller sections will mean more cutting in (ie. more labour costs) and also more offcuts/ waste. Therefore, it is understandable that most artificial grass you see is installed as a rectangular area.

And that's it! Other than choosing the right grass, of course. Now sit back and enjoy your low maintenance artificial grass area. For more information on installing your artificial grass, visit www.perthtradecentre.com.au/artificial-grass-perth/  for artificial grass pricing, a DIY guide to installing your grass, photos of artificial grass being installed into Perth landscapes, as well as hints and tips from proffessional artificial grass installers.