When you choose to install artificial grass on your property, it can transform the look of your home. Having an inviting outdoor space is enough to also encourage you to spend more time outdoors. Yet, before you make the leap and buy the first artificial turf you find, there are some problems you will want to avoid. The following are five potential mistakes that are easy to prevent once you’ve learned about them.
1. Failing to Properly Plan
If you are considering buying an artificial lawn and installing it yourself, you may want to think again. Sure, it will save a bit of money, and the job itself isn’t overly complicated. However, it does require a great deal of planning and thought to make it turn out the right way.
For starters, the space needs to be measured accurately, so you buy enough grass to fill the entire space. You will also need to ensure that the artificial turf is installed in a location where it can be used as intended.
2. Buying the Wrong Variety of Grass
Many people do not realize that there are many varieties of artificial grass on the market. The type you choose should depend on your budget, plans for use, and the look that you are trying to achieve. With this, you will want to consider the carpet backing, fiber thickness, pile density, and pile height.
For example, if you buy artificial grass that has an extremely low pile height, your lawn will look more like a putting green than a front yard. Likewise, choosing grass with a low pile density may mean you end up with grass that doesn’t appear as vibrant and thick as you wish.
3. Improper Drainage
You may already know this, but artificial grass requires better drainage than yards made from real grass. Though this is a significant benefit, it’s vital to ensure that your home’s drainage system is upgraded before the artificial grass is laid.
The first step to this is choosing a high-quality artificial turf that allows for additional drainage. Then, invest in a base that allows the rain to drain efficiently.
4. Skipping the Weed-Preventing Membrane
While artificial grass works well for giving you a smooth and weed-free lawn, there are required steps to make this happen. And to avoid one of the biggest mistakes, you must understand why it’s so important.
Essentially, there’s a plastic membrane that should be installed under the turf. This membrane works to prevent weeds from growing and breaking through. Provided this step is carefully planned, you can look forward to a great lawn for many years.
5. Leaving the Joints Visible
Our final step is the one mistake that most people make. This is because they don’t plan enough for the parts of the yard where joints need to be made between separate rolls of turf. The good news is that if you do it right, the joints will not be obvious or cause you problems. The key here is to pay attention to how you fit the rolls of artificial grass together.
As with most other big home projects, installing artificial grass is best left to the professionals. We here at Better Than Real Artificial Grass are skilled in residential and commercial artificial grass installation. If you live in San Rafael or around the Bay Area, in California, call us today for a free no-obligation price quote!