Artificial grass has grown increasingly popular as homeowners seek low maintenance landscapes. While it may appear straightforward to lay turf down and walk away, installation actually involves much more.
Installers must lay down a layer of granite dust or decomposed granite (DG), followed by weed barrier fabric and then the turf – this process may take some time!
Make Sure It’s Clean
Your artificial grass requires regular upkeep in order to look and smell its best. Stains may occur from food spills, bird droppings and grease from barbecues; should these occur, immediately remove it with a mixture of water and mild detergent.
Mechanical brushes such as power brooms are among the most efficient tools for maintaining artificial grass, as they remove traffic wear prints, repair flat spots, and give your grass that new-looking appearance again. Regularly brushing your artificial grass to prevent matting should also be considered an integral part of maintenance.
Care should be taken when cutting and seaming synthetic grass to pay attention to its grain direction; doing so correctly will avoid gaps or visible seams and promote urine drainage. In addition, remember to frequently hose down your turf so urine drainage takes place properly.
Add Color
One of the main draws to artificial grass is its ease of maintenance, though you still can personalize your lawn with creative touches to give it your own stamp of individuality.
One way is by installing a brick or stone walkway. Brick and stone pairs perfectly with grass, providing low maintenance requirements that allow homeowners to keep their yard looking its best without spending hours tending to it each week.
There are also special paints and dyes designed specifically to work on artificial turf surfaces. These water-based solutions can help mark lines and boundaries on your lawn without harming it; making these paints and dyes especially helpful if your fake lawn will be used for sports, games or other activities.
Add Texture
Artificial lawns offer many advantages. They can reduce water costs, eliminate allergens and save time spent mowing real grass – but just because a synthetic lawn requires minimal upkeep procedures like weeding and brushing doesn’t mean its maintenance needs won’t need attending to regularly.
One key to maintaining an artificial lawn’s beautiful appearance is adding infill. This helps keep upright grass blades and prevent matting in high traffic areas, while also making the lawn appear more natural and potentially reducing injury from falls or sprains.
Dependent upon the type of lawn, using infill can create a shock-absorbent space for kids to play and practice tumbling and floor exercise safely. Furthermore, adding this layer can also help protect soil beneath grass from erosion while improving drainage.
Artificial turf comes in various textures and colors, so it is important to look at samples to select one that complements your landscape design and fits with your aesthetic.
Regular maintenance is also crucial for keeping your lawn looking its best. Be sure to clean up any spills, pet stains or discolorations immediately and hose down your lawn occasionally so as to wash away accumulated dirt and debris from its surface.
Installing artificial turf requires laying a base layer to ensure proper drainage and compaction, such as crushed stone, gravel or construction grade crushed rock of 3-4 inches thick for most climates. After installing this layer, weed membrane should be laid over it to prevent weed growth that would disfigure its appearance and after all is laid it can be graded to achieve a 2-3% slope using a landscaping rake.
Be Mind of Colors
Artificial grass comes in various textures and hues to match any style or decor on the property, so selecting one with colors that complement other landscaping will give the best look for your home. A colorful tile mosaic may make your artificial lawn stand out among similar properties with similar aesthetics.
Padding underlayment can add another dimension of texture and keep your turf looking its best, protecting children and pets from ruining it by keeping their hands off the grass. Plus, adding padding may prevent children and pets from damaging it!
The use of a power broom on an artificial lawn can also add texture. Not only will this clear away small debris and mold growth, but it will also make your turf appear more natural by brushing against its grain – something which should especially be done for high-traffic areas like play yards or sports fields. If you want to read more and expand your knowledge of artificial lawns, click here for more information.
Add Paint
Add some flair and variety to your fake lawn with painted edges! Turf-safe lawn paint won’t fade, smear or stain like regular paint does – use it to create anything from hopscotch boards to basketball courts!
Although artificial grass lawns do not need to be cut regularly, they do still require basic upkeep in order to look realistic and remain looking their best. Brushing artificial turf using special tools designed for it is one way to revive matted fibers and bring life back into your synthetic landscape.
Add depth and dimension by layering silica-coated sand as infill. Not only will this enhance the realism of your lawn, but it will also absorb and neutralize odors associated with pet waste while visually blending into the turf – an especially crucial step when dealing with high traffic areas where wear and tear from family activities occurs.
