Whenever a homeowner approaches Perth Landscapes to ask them to create a landscape design for their garden, one of the most important topics of discussion will be the lawn. In the vast majority of cases, that lawn will be natural grass, therefore the main decisions to be made regarding the landscape design will be its shape, any changes to its dimensions, and its maintenance thereafter.
However, not all lawns are natural, and many homeowners are now opting for a landscape design with a lawn that is created from artificial grass. The advances in manufacturing technologies mean that the artificial lawns of today are getting closer to the real thing in terms of their aesthetics. One main advantage is the obvious one which is maintenance is reduced due to not having to cut the grass regularly.
One point that has to be addressed is that of installing an artificial lawn. Should you choose to have your landscapers do it for you, then you should be fine. However, if you fancy going down the DIY route and installing your artificial lawn yourself, there are several caveats. Most of them come under the umbrella of ‘common mistakes’ so we thought it would be useful to outline the seven most common artificial grass installation mistakes so that you can avoid them.
Poor Choice Of Artificial Grass Type
The first and most basic error is choosing the wrong type of artificial turf for your landscape design. Just as with natural grass, different types of artificial grass exist that will suit different needs and scenarios. For example, some are suited to heavy wear, whereas others are more delicate, and some are best suited to shaded areas, so choose wisely.
Poor/No Ground Preparation
Many homeowners believe that laying artificial grass is akin to laying a carpet, but nothing could be further from the truth. The ground upon which you are installing your artificial lawn must be properly prepared such as clearing stones, flattening mounds and bumps, and removing the top layer of soil.
Incorrect Measurements
There is an old saying used by tailors which is ‘measure twice, cut once’. It points to the fact that accurate measurements are essential, and that is certainly the case when installing an artificial lawn. Ensure you take accurate measurements and double-check them. You should even go as far as getting someone else to remeasure to confirm them so that when you order your artificial grass it will have the correct dimensions.
Not Including Proper Drainage
If there was a cardinal sin for the installation of an artificial lawn, this has to be a prime candidate. The need for drainage is even greater for an artificial lawn for several reasons not least because it can be extremely slippery and dangerous to walk on if excess water accumulates on it.
Not Installing A Weed Barrier
Those pesky weeds do not care whether your lawn is natural or artificial, so they will try to grow within and around it regardless. So, when installing your artificial lawn ensure you clear the area of weeds and take preventive measures to avoid them returning such as having a weed barrier beneath the artificial turf.
Throwing Away Any Excess Turf
This a great landscaping tip because it can save you a lot of money and effort in the future. If you have any excess artificial turf, do not just throw it away, but keep it. You can then use it to patch any areas of your artificial lawn which get damaged or suffer from excess wear.
Ignoring Maintenance
This last mistake occurs too often and that is assuming once it is installed, an artificial lawn can just be ignored. As with real grass, it requires some maintenance, and although you will not need a lawn mower, regular brushing, raking, and removing debris from its surface can keep it looking great for longer.