Why You Should Switch to Synthetic Grass
Aerating, watering, mowing and weeding can take a lot of work to keep the lawn intact. But there are alternatives to traditional grass, such as desert-style landscaping that requires minimal attention and watering, or rain gardens with plants and shrubs designed to harvest rainwater and filter toxins.
Another almost maintenance-free option is artificial grass. No watering is required, and while it does take a little effort to install, it is well worth it in the end. This is why you should switch to synthetic grass.
Why use synthetic grass?
Conserving water is one of the reasons artificial grass is great for you, your area, and the planet. The Environmental Protection Agency reported that “the average American household consumes 320 gallons of water a day, about 30 percent of which is used outdoors.” Most of this water is used in lawns and gardens. The EPA estimates that lawn irrigation accounts for one-third of household water consumption, which is nine billion gallons a day.
The artificial grass also does not change color. If the main benefit of a healthy green lawn is its brightness, synthetic grass can do this effortlessly once it is installed. It’s made to resist fading, so it won’t even fade over time.
If you’re worried about how you feel and worried about missing the natural grass between your toes, there are many styles and types to choose from. You can choose color, length and choose between home style or golf style that mimics the feel of real grass .
Of course, artificial turf has some drawbacks , including the fact that the artificial turf uses oil and plastics to make it non-biodegradable. Synthetic grass also absorbs heat and feels much hotter than natural grass.
How to install synthetic grass
Placing artificial grass in the foreground is not easy – it is labor intensive, time consuming and requires specialized equipment. If you have the funds , choose professional editing. If you want to understand what it looks like, watch the synthetic grass warehouse trigger this process in its tutorial video.
Before placing artificial grass, you need to start by removing all elements from the area, including grass, any electrical elements, and at least four inches of soil. Then place a curved plank around the perimeter of your sectional lawn to create a boundary for your artificial turf.
After the curb is installed, you will lay a base layer of DG gravel , a mixture of sand and gravel to ensure proper drainage. This layer also provides a level base for the turf, so make sure it’s even. Then wet the gravel mixture and pat to keep it even and compacted. You can use a power tool to iron it (which you will need to rent or buy), or level it by hand using a special rake .
How to install artificial grass
Then put in a weed barrier – a layer of thin cloth to keep weeds from breaking through the sod. Then it’s time to lay down the grass, rolling it over the entire area or in sections, and then trim it to size. Try cutting one eighth of an inch off so that there is enough material to tuck the sod back into place. Let the lawn sit for 30 minutes to expand in the sun. Synthetic Grass Warehouse recommends cutting your lawn in half in an S shape for portability if you have one large piece.
Secure the sod with nails around the perimeter every six inches and hammer them three-quarters of an inch so that the sod does not tighten too tightly. Then place U-nails on the connecting seams to hold the two pieces together. Both types of nails will be hidden by the grass and invisible to your eyes and feet.
After everything has been cut and laid, the last step is to apply litter, which is an antibacterial substance similar to sand that helps the lawn stand upright and gives it some weight so it stays in place and feels like real grass. Comb the grass brush with an effort to fill could penetrate to the bottom, then use a spreader of seeds to put the filling evenly. Finally, brush the lawn again with the power brush to hold the litter in place. All the hard work pays off in money, water and time that you save on lawn maintenance.