Artificial grass removes the regular maintenance of real grass and is available in a range of styles to suit your requirements. Installation is fairly straightforward and the turf can be easily trimmed to suit the shape of your garden.
The best artificial grass is the Tuda Luxury 30mm Pile, which has a choice of 47 different sizes that are easy to cut and shape to suit your garden.
There are hundreds of different artificial grasses available but you will want to avoid the cheap alternatives. Many don’t include drainage holes, UV protection, dense fibres and even pet or child safe.
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Artificial Grass Comparison
| Artificial Grass | Pile Height(s) | Size(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuda Luxury | 30mm | 2m x 1m – 4m x 20m |
| Petgrow Premium | 35mm | 1m x 3m – 1m x 10m |
| GardenKraft 26070 | 15mm, 20mm & 30mm | 4m x 1m |
| Sumc High Density | 30mm | 1m x 2m |
| ARKMat G30-4-3M | 30mm | 2m x 1m – 4m x 20m |
The pile height of the grass is available in lengths ranging from 15 to 40 mm. You will often be required to pay a premium for the taller grass but it provides a more natural and realistic appearance.
When it comes to installing artificial grass in your garden, you will want to buy suitable lengths. If you are installing the grass to a large surface, you should avoid small sections as it will make the installation more time consuming.
Below is a list of the best artificial grass that can be easily installed to most gardens and are available in a range of different styles.
The Best Artificial Grass
1. Tuda Luxury Artificial Grass
By far the most popular artificial grass available with multiple sizes is by the Tuda brand. They produce a wide variety of different styles but the Luxury pile is the best option with a 30mm height.
The brand claim that their grass is sourced from industry leading manufacturers in Belgium and the Netherlands. This is relevant because they use the latest technology to ensure it’s the best quality.
Features of the Tuga Luxury Pile include:
- 47 sizes that range from 2m x 1m to 4m x 20m
- Water resistant latex backing
- Plenty of drainage holes
- UV stabilized and doesn’t fade in the sun
- Easy to cut and shape to your requirements
- Child and pet friendly
The Tuga Luxury artificial grass is the best option for covering a complete lawn due it’s realistic appearance and the sizes available. It has been specifically designed to be easy to cut, which allows you to trim it to size.
2. Petgrow Artificial Grass For Dogs
The Petgrow brand specialize in products for pets and this artificial grass is ideal for dogs, cats and other pets. It is available in sizes that range from 1m x 3m to 1m x 10m, which weigh 70 oz per square yard of the grass.
The artificial grass uses a 4 layer construction that includes the grass yarn, PP fabric, durable grid and the latex glue.
Other features of the Petgrow Premium Grass include:
- 35mm pile height
- Soft and comfortable
- Eco-friendly and non-toxic
- UV resistant
- Easily installed
- Impressive 14 year warranty
If require the closest artificial equivalent to real grass, which has also been designed for pets, the Petgrow 35mm pile turf is perfect. It does come with a premium price tag but its a worthwhile investment that has an extra long warranty for peace of mind.
3. GardenKraft 26070 Artificial Grass
Another popular brand within the artificial grass industry is GardenKraft and they provide grass with multiple pile lengths. However, it only comes with a single 4m x 1m size, which is more time consuming to install for large gardens.
The brand claim that the grass uses the maximum rated UV defence protection to prevent fading against strong sunlight.
Other features of the GardenKraft 26070 include:
- Pile height available as 15, 20 and 30 mm lengths
- Choice of standard or dark green
- Can be laid upon soil, turf, tarmac and paving
- Heavy duty stitching for durability
- 5 year UV guarantee
- Super soft and realistic texture
Overall, the GardenKraft 26070 is an excellent all-round artificial grass that will not disappoint. Unlike the majority of the alternatives, this grass is available in short pile lengths, which may be a requirement for many people.
4. Sumc Quality Artificial Grass
Another artificial grass for dogs, cats and other pets is the Sumc high density turf, which is available in lengths of 1m x 2m. It uses a “smart-drainage” technology, which is designed to drastically reduces the amount of water that stays standing on the grass.
Other features of the Sumc High Density Artificial Grass include:
- 30mm pile height with a natural green appearance
- Easy to clean synthetic grass
- Child friendly and soft
- High UV protection
- CE and ISO9001 certificated
- Suitable for dogs and other pets
Overall, the Sumc artificial grass is made from high quality synthetic fibres that look and feel realistic. However, it does come with a premium price tag that may put many people off buying this grass.
5. ARKMat Twickenham Artificial Grass
The ARKMat artificial grass is available in 13 different styles to satisfy your requirements. Along with the different styles, the brand also provide sizes that range from as 2m x 1m to 4m x 20m.
In terms of the quality of this grass, it uses 160 tufts every 10 x 10 cm square with a very high density, which hides the backing through the grass.
Other features of the ARKMat Artificial Grass include:
- 30mm pile height
- Child and pet friendly
- Dries quickly after rainfall
- 16,800 tufts of grass per metre
- Water permeable backing
- UV resistant to prevent fading
- Easy to install
Overall, it is quality artificial grass that provides a natural and realistic appearance with multiple styles available. ARKMat claim that is it very easy to fit with zero sand filling required.
Artificial Grass Buying Guide
Artificial grass is often called fake grass or astro-turf and is made from a collection of plastic polymers. It is becoming more popular across the UK with many new build homeowners turning to artificial grass to improve the garden space.
To help you make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding artificial grasses.
Why Install Artificial Grass?
Installing artificial grass will come at a premium cost but it can last several years with very little maintenance. Some of the reasons for installing artificial grass include:
- Doesn’t require a lawn mower to trim
- Easier to clean
- Doesn’t become waterlogged with drainage
- Looks green all year round
- Doesn’t require sunlight or watering
- Zero dead grass or moss on the lawn
- No mud or dirt that may be walked through the house
Grass Pile
The pile is available in several different forms and you will need to decide on the height, density, style and even the colour that suits your requirements.
Types
The majority of fibres used in artifical grass include polypropylene, polyethylene and nylon. Polypropylene has a natural luster, which can be very desirable within certain situations. It is also the stiffest type of material, which is great for repelling water but can feel more prickly upon the skin.
Polyethylene is similar to polypropylene but it is more UV resistant and softer but it does come at an additional cost. Nylon is a premium option and is the softest material used for artificial grass. It is also one of the most durable options but does lack UV resistance and is the least water resistant.
Height
The height is often the most defining characteristics of artificial grass with the longer height being more desirable. Most brands offer many different lengths that vary in size from as small as 15mm to as large as 40mm in height.
Density
Many brands state that their grass is high density, which means it is extra thick for the realistic appearance. You can judge the density of the grass by the weight but ensure that you check for the grass weight and not the backing weight.
Higher density artificial grass will cost more but will provide a natural and realistic appearance. Many cheap alternatives that are not as dense will have visible backing, which can ruin the overall appearance of your artificial grass.
Style
Most artificial grasses are available as a short and curly or long and straight pile. The short and curly style is not as popular but the long and straight style is very desirable. You will have to pay slightly more for the longer pile but the look and feel is worth the extra investment.
Colours
The colour you choose depends on your personal preference as many brands offer different options. These include light, normal and dark greens but it is advised to closely analyse the brands images before purchasing metres of turf.
Backing Types
Just as important as the piles is the backing that the fibres are attached to and they are available as urethane or rubber.
Urethane is the most popular as it’s the most durable and is able to hold the most amount of weight. It is also more resistant to water and won’t suffer the damaging effects. However, it is the stiffest materials that offer virtually no rebound.
Rubber is the softer alternative that allows plenty of rebound, which feels much better. The main drawback of rubber is that it’s not as good as resisting water, which means you must ensure that it is draining water appropriately.
Drainage
In order to prevent water building up on the grass and water-logging of the garden, the drainage is very important. All artificial grass will have drainage holes placed into the base that allows water to pass through. If you garden is known for water-logging, you will want to ensure the manufacturer states that the grass has high performing drainage.
Artificial Grass For Dogs
Installing artificial grass can be an issue if you own dogs, cat or other pets because not all grass is suitable. You will want to avoid cheaply made artificial options because they contain cheap toxic materials that may be harmful to pets and kids.
The shorter pile height is the best option because they are more durable and easier to clean up any mess. When it comes to cleaning the grass of mess, you can simply use your garden hose to spray clean and allow to drain through.
UV Resistance
The UV rays from the sun can be very damaging and without protection, they can damage the artificial grass. Many cheap options don’t include any protection and can begin to fade from years left in the sun. This ruins the appearance of the grass and you will be replacing it far earlier than you would expect.
Many brands will offer guarantees based upon the UV protection that they provide. Even though they will be more expensive, they are worth the investment for the added protection.
Installation Tips
Installation of artificial grass doesn’t need a professional and is very much a DIY task. Follow the steps below for a brief guide to installing artificial grass in your garden.
- Remove any existing grass or debris.
- Spray some weed killer across the foundations.
- Lay sand to level of the surface for laying the grass.
- Ensure the sand is compact and the surface is smooth.
- Begin to unroll the artificial grass in the same direction.
- Allow the grass the settle for at least 24 hours.
- Join the seams where the strips meet using tape.
- Apply adhesive to the tape and fold the grass back down.
- Secure the edges with joining pins.
- Trim any edges that are surplus.
The 10 steps to installing artificial grass are brief tips and the installation may vary between different manufacturers.
Conclusion
Artificial grass is easy to install and offers many benefits compared with real grass in your garden. They are available in a range of different styles with various lengths and colours available.
All of our recommendations are suited to a range of different budget and offer various different pile heights and colours. To avoid disappointment, we advise that you take measurement of your garden beforehand.
