Modern artificial grass — far better than the green carpet of years ago
The artificial grass industry has changed dramatically. Today's premium ranges have multiple blade colours (greens, browns, yellows) for natural variation, natural-looking thatch at the base, and varying pile heights to mimic real grass. From two metres away, most people can't tell — the difference shows up in maintenance, not appearance.
Where artificial grass works well
Small to medium gardens that struggle to grow real grass — too shaded, too compacted, too small for proper mowing kit. Front gardens that get used as parking space part of the time. Roof terraces and balconies where soil isn't an option. Play areas where mud is the enemy. Around pools and outdoor entertaining areas. The common factor: places where real grass is more trouble than it's worth.
Pet-friendly options
Our pet-friendly ranges have free-draining backings and are anti-microbial-treated. Dogs can use the grass as normal — solids you scoop, liquids drain through. Most owners give the grass a quick rinse with the hose every couple of weeks. We use a sand-and-rubber-crumb infill that's safe for pets and helps the blades stand back up after use.
Installation — getting the base right
Good artificial grass is 80% installation, 20% product. We dig out the existing turf or topsoil to about 75-100mm, lay a weed-suppressant membrane, build up a stone sub-base (Type 1 MOT or similar), top with 25mm of fine grit, compact properly, then lay the grass and infill. Done right, the surface stays flat and well-drained for 15+ years. Done wrong, it sags and puddles within a year.
Maintenance — what you'll actually need to do
Brush it occasionally with a stiff broom to keep the blades upright. Hose it down in summer if it gets dusty. Lift any leaves with a leaf blower (or just leave them — they break down). That's it. No mowing, no watering, no edging, no feed. The hours you don't spend on lawn care add up to weekends back.