At first glance, buying artificial grass seems simple, until you realise how many types, qualities and applications there are. What makes one type of artificial grass perfect for an ornamental garden may be completely unsuitable for children playing or pets.
Are you about to buy artificial grass for your garden, patio or balcony? Then this guide will help you through the selection process step by step: from use and substrate to budget and installation. This will help you make a choice that you will be happy with for years to come.
The most important question you should ask yourself is not ‘Which artificial grass do I like?’, but ‘What will I use my artificial grass for?’
Nowadays, artificial grass is developed for very specific applications. So first think about how you will use it:
Children playing: choose resilient, soft but sturdy artificial grass that recovers quickly.
Pets: go for a shorter, robust fibre with good drainage, such as the knitted backing of Resigrass Pet.
Family garden: a versatile, all-round type of grass.
Ornamental garden or balcony: finer and longer grass with a natural look.
A fine, graceful blade of grass looks beautiful, but is less suitable for intensive use. Do you have children, large dogs or will your artificial grass be installed around a swimming pool? Then shorter and denser grass types such as RGP 457 or RGP 517 are more resistant to wear and tear.
A common mistake when buying artificial grass? Not paying enough attention to the substrate.
Common substrates:
Stabilised sand (sandy soil is ideal for this)
Concrete
Tiles
Roof terrace with EPDM/roofing
Balcony or terrace
Are you laying your artificial grass on a fragile surface such as EPDM? Then a shock-absorbing underlay is essential. The latex backing of artificial grass can cause friction when walked on and cause long-term damage to the roof covering. Good advice about the substrate prevents wear and tear, water problems and unexpected costs.
Do you have any questions about this? Contact our experts and they will be happy to help you!
Artificial grass rolls are produced in a standard width of 4 metres. Important to know: artificial grass has a fixed laying direction. If you do not respect this, you may see colour differences between different strips.
Therefore:
always make a laying plan
avoid unnecessary seams
it is better to calculate a little too generously than too tightly (A well-calculated quantity will not only save you money, but also frustration during installation.)
Want to learn more on how to calculate the right amount of artificial grass? Read on!
If you are installing the artificial grass yourself and purchasing it from Resigrass, we will help you free of charge with a customised installation plan and the calculation of the correct amounts of material (both artificial grass and fastening materials).
The price of artificial grass varies greatly, up to approximately £47/m². This difference is mainly due to:
the length of the grass blades
density (number of fibres per m²)
amount of supporting material
production technique
country of production
Important to remember:
Artificial grass is a long-term investment. High-quality artificial grass, produced within the EU, lasts an average of 10 to 15 years. So : don't just choose based on price, but on quality, use and appearance. Feel free to give your budget to your advisor right away, so that he or she can help you make the right choice.
Buying artificial grass online is easy, but not always ideal. Photos and samples rarely give a realistic impression of what artificial grass looks like in real life.
Our advice : See and feel the artificial grass in real life, visit a show garden where you can view the different types on a larger surface area, and don't compare apples with oranges!
When comparing, always pay attention to:
blade height
weight per m² (more material = better resilience, but also a higher price)
density
backing
country of origin
A cheaper product may seem attractive, until you discover that it simply contains less material. Less yarn means less resilience, which can quickly leave your turf looking lifeless.
Installing artificial grass yourself is perfectly possible, provided you are well prepared. Be sure not to forget these installation accessories:
geotextile
fastening pins or Resifix
adhesive and joint tape
possibly a shock-absorbing mat
Would you rather have it installed? Then you'll save time and avoid mistakes that may become apparent later on.
How long does artificial grass last?
On average, 10–15 years with normal use and correct installation.
Is artificial grass suitable for children and pets?
Yes, provided you choose the right type for intensive use. Be sure to ask about this during your visit!
Does artificial grass get hot in the sun?
Yes, like any surface in direct sunlight, your artificial grass can heat up, but high-quality artificial grass heats up less quickly and cools down faster. There are also revolutionary artificial grasses such as RGE 02C, which cool down on hot days thanks to their innovative backing.
Can artificial grass be used on a terrace or balcony?
Certainly, provided you have the right substrate and drainage. You also need to pay close attention to the installation, but your expert will always assess your situation individually!
“One size fits all” doesn't work even for socks, let alone when choosing artificial turf. There is no such thing as the perfect artificial grass for everyone: however, there is the right artificial grass for your situation.
Let your choice be determined by:
And above all: choose a supplier who thinks along with you, is accessible and has expertise. Because nothing is more annoying than being left with questions afterwards without personal advice. Our Resigrass experts are happy to help you, either by telephone, online or in the showroom and spacious show garden.