Did you know?
• Artificial grass can be installed in a variety of shades of green with some brands offering different blade lengths, ranging from 8mm to 50mm. Other brands, such as the Easi-Kensington range from Easigrass, also have a shorter dead grass infill between the greener grass blades to make it look even more realistic. • The base of the grass has drainage holes so the lawn doesn’t become waterlogged in the event of heavy rains. This makes it an excellent choice for patios, decks, balconies and rooftop gardens where the water would run off according to the slope of the surface area. • In terms of safety and hygiene, soft artificial grass works well in play areas, as the grass doesn’t stain or get muddy. “The grass carpet itself is antiallergenic, so it’s perfectly safe for children and pets,” explains Ayden Shrives, product manager for artificial turf (Duraturf) at Belgotex Floors. • Quality artificial grass is nonabrasive. While the uneven surface of most conventional lawns can pose a safety hazard for kids, the surface area on artificial grass is compacted and stable underfoot, says project manager at Perfect Grass, Nikita Young. • Good-quality artificial grass won’t fade in the harsh South African sun, nor will the colour wash out. Check the warranty with your supplier and make sure the grass is coated against harmful UV rays. “Artificial grass has many advantages,” says Herve Truniger of Easigrass Cape Town. “Not least of which is playing with your kids or entertaining guests in the garden instead of mowing and weeding.”
Any leaves can be raked up as normal and a build-up of dirt or dust can easily be hosed off. Some flattening may occur in high-traffic areas or from heavy items on the grass, but this can easily be fixed by brushing the grass against the direction of the pile to restore the blades to an upright position, explains Ayden Shrives of Duraturf.
However, some care must be taken. “Fire and related activities such as braaiing can melt the carpet and sharp instruments can also damage the surface,” says Ayden. >>