The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing 40mm Artificial Grass

Over the last ten or so years, the UK market for artificial grass has grown, and it shows no sign of slowing down. As with any industry, an increase in demand ensures that manufacturers are quick to release new and varied products to meet consumer needs. While this is ultimately great,  it can also be a little confusing to understand which type of artificial grass is the most suitable.

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With this in mind, we’ve put together a buyer’s guide, intended to help you understand everything you need to know before making a purchase. First, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of artificial grass.

The Benefits of Artificial Grass and Turf

There are many benefits of artificial grass, from the obvious ones to the ones you might not have thought of. In truth, the ability to use artificial grass during or after a downpour is just the tip of the iceberg.  

Perfect Grass, All Year Round

Let’s face it; us Brits are well accustomed to a downpour, even in the summer! While rain is necessary for a healthy, vibrant garden, it can make a mess of our lawn, especially if the lawn has regular footfall. With artificial grass, you no longer need to worry about how your garden will look after the rains come. If anything, a bit of rain does the cleaning for you!

On the other hand, dry, hot weather that we (occasionally!) get during the summer can have a deterrent effect on natural grass. Indeed, natural grass that is not regularly maintained during the arid months will become dry and discoloured. While the rains will come eventually to restore the majority of its vitality, that doesn’t change the fact that your lawn may look a little shabby during the summer months, which is likely when you’ll be using it most!

Artificial grass is perfect for practical use come rain or shine. If the little ones want to play football on the grass, you don’t need to worry about them getting muddy or ripping up the lawn if there has been a bit of rain.

Low Maintenance

One of the best things about artificial grass is the fact it takes such little effort from you to maintain, which gives you much more time to enjoy the garden. With natural grass, you could be spending hours each week mowing, watering, or even fertilising. None of this is required with artificial grass and turf; very little effort is required to keep it looking as you intend it to. 

This is ideal for those with busy work schedules or lifestyles. Similarly, artificial grass can be the perfect solution for the elderly or disabled, who may struggle with mobility. People who struggle to get around often think they cannot have a beautiful looking garden, but that is no longer the case!

Cost Effective

While artificial grass can seem expensive initially - especially if it is installed professionally - it will ultimately be a cost effective solution to natural grass over an extended period of time. Artificial grass can last for up to 15 years (and longer in some cases), and during this time you will be spending very little on maintenance. Maintaining the quality of natural grass can be extremely expensive over time, and can often end up costing you more money in the long run.

If you are looking for great value, we stock a variety of artificial grasses at Forward Builders that we ensure are affordable without compromising on quality.

Allows For Flexibility

Not every outdoor (or indoor!) space is suitable for natural grass. To truly thrive, grass needs a lot of space, nutrient-rich soil, sunlight, and plenty of water, and these essentials aren’t possible to achieve everywhere. Ideal locations for natural grass are quite limited, which certainly isn’t the case for artificial grass. Play areas, roof-top terraces, offices, bars and hotels are just a few settings that could benefit from artificial turf. Urban areas in particular could see the biggest benefit, as there is often a lack of suitable conditions for natural grass to be used.

Furthermore, artificial grass allows you to have a more flexible lifestyle. We’ve already highlighted that less maintenance means more time to do the things you love, but there’s so much more flexibility than that. For example, you might love spending time in your garden, but travel a lot either for leisure or work. You can travel happy with the knowledge that you’ll have a lovely garden to return to, not an overgrown jungle! 

Child Friendly

We know it’s essential that children have outdoor space to enjoy. Little ones will be able to have the same amount of fun as they would be able to have on natural grass, whether it’s kicking around a football or playing on the climbing frame. Most artificial turf is smooth and soft, and will cushion a child’s fall with even more effectiveness than natural grass. And we’ve said it already but let’s make it clear: NO MUD!

And Fur Friendly… 

Around half of UK households have four-legged friends running around, so it’s important for them to be considered when making changes to the garden. It’s remarkably easy to clean up after your pets if they do their business on the artificial grass, and you don’t need to worry about stains. There are products designed specifically for removing pet spoils from artificial grass.

And of course, there’s the added bonus for owners of mischievous dogs; they’ll no longer be able to dig holes in your grass and trample the mud right through the house and onto the sofa.

Are There Any Negatives To Artificial Grass?

While the benefits of artificial grass undoubtedly outweigh the cons, it would be disingenuous of us to claim that there are no drawbacks to the product. While most of the cons can be mitigated, there are still some that you should be aware of:

• Due to the grass being artificial, it will not attract the same attention of wildlife as natural grass will, leading to a less biodiverse garden. However, this can be made up with plenty of flowers, trees, and bushes.
• As mentioned earlier in the article, the initial cost can be expensive, especially when fitted professionally (which we recommend).
• During particularly hot summers, artificial grass can get very hot. While this is never enough to cause injury, it can still be uncomfortable to sit on. A blanket or other cover to use as a barrier between yourself and the grass can solve this problem.
• Although artificial grass will last a long time, it won’t last as long as well-maintained natural grass. That being said, many people will not maintain their natural grass properly, and thus natural grass will start looking worn out far before artificial grass for the average homeowner.
• Some manufacturers develop artificial grass in a way that damages the environment. With a bit of research beforehand, you can ensure you are sourcing your product from somewhere that meets your ethical standards. We’re pleased to say that our entire range of artificial grass is 100% recyclable. 

Which type of Artificial Grass is best for me? 

With the increasing popularity of artificial grass, it’s only natural that there is a wide selection of products available on the market. It’s always great for the consumer to have a wealth of choice, but it’s essential to understand which types of grasses are appropriate for what you want. With this in mind, ask yourself questions such as:

• For what purpose am I purchasing artificial grass?
• Is it for practical use, or simply decorative purposes? 
• How much am I willing to pay?
• What size area does it need to cover?
• Does it need to be pet friendly?
• Will the grass have a lot of footfall?

When you take the time to consider your budget, as well as the activities you want the artificial turf to be used for, you’ll be ready to begin looking at specific products to suit your needs.

Types of Artificial Grass

Polypropylene: The cheapest option available on the market, and also one of the most popular. Polypropylene grass has a wide variety of styles and shades to choose from, and when used right, can really bring a space to life. However, being the cheapest, it does have its downfalls. It’s the least durable material, which obviously affects its lifespan. We wouldn’t recommend investing in this type of artificial grass if the area it covers will have a lot of use. Furthermore, Polypropylene grass often ends up looking the most artificial. That being said, it can be perfect for smaller areas, especially on a budget.

Recommended For: those with a small budget, or aren’t too worried about aesthetics.

Nylon: On the other end of the spectrum, nylon grass is usually the most expensive, but with good reason. Nylon grass is incredibly durable, and can withstand all kinds of use, from garden parties to activities a little more rough and tumble! Unfortunately, nylon grass can be extremely expensive for large areas, but for smaller gardens or patches that you want to benefit from long-lasting, sturdy, and natural looking grass, nylon could be the perfect option for you.

Recommended For: Larger budgets or smaller areas.

Polyethylene: This type of artificial grass is great for those who have a reasonable budget but don’t want to break the bank. Good quality polyethylene grass is wonderfully soft, spongy and durable, and often looks indistinguishable from natural grass. Whether you’re looking to surface a garden, office, playground or football field, polyethylene is certainly worth looking at.

Recommended For: Reasonable budgets, all settings but particularly suitable for sports and other practical purposes.

Polyethylene products we stock: Lido Plus, Fashion, Fantasia,  Putting Green Elite, Valour Plus

Frequently Asked Questions About Artificial Grass

How Do I Maintain Artificial Grass?

While artificial turf takes nowhere near the amount of maintenance required for natural grass, there are still actions you can take to ensure your product lasts as long as possible. To maintain artificial turf, you should:

• Sweep debris regularly, such as leaves and pines with a stiff, natural bristle broom.
• Clean up after your pets by picking up waste and spraying with water (the latter should be done semi-regularly regardless of pets).
• Protect your artificial grass from extreme heat - although this should not be a problem here in the UK! It might be wise to invest in a cover just in case we have one of those rare heat waves - you’ll only need to cover it when you’re not using it!

What Is the Best Thickness for Artificial Grass?

The optimal thickness of your artificial grass will depend on your taste and desire. For shorter grass that looks freshly cut, approximately 25mm is optimal. If you would like a space that looks a little more natural, between 30-40mm is ideal. Be careful not to request taller grass, as it will slump under its own weight and end up looking unkempt.

Will Weeds Grow Through Artificial Grass?

While possible, if properly installed the only weeds you have a chance of getting will be around the perimeter of the artificial grass. These surface weeds should be fairly easy to maintain. It’s possible for weeds to grow through the turf, but if an underlay is properly installed then such an issue is preventable.

For more 40mm Artificial Grassinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Can I Install Artificial Grass Myself?

If you're feeling up to the challenge - absolutely! You can find our video for installing artificial grass below:

Forward Builders' Supplies

We hope this guide provided you with some useful information about artificial grass and turf. At Forward Builders’ Supplies, we supply an array of artificial grasses to suit the needs of all budgets and tastes. 

Available both in store and via nationwide delivery, our friendly team will do all it takes to ensure you are provided with the best product for your needs, and provide you with our flagship service that keeps customers returning again and again.

If you are on the fence about choosing to move towards artificial grass, we are here to help you inform your decision. Artificial grass is a great option for busy people as it is a low maintenance option. The days of toiling over a lawnmower will be gone as there will be no need to cut the grass. Ditch your lawnmower and enjoy a beautiful, weed free, evergreen lawn all year round. Aswell as this, you will have less cleaning to do indoors as there will be no more mucky feet inside the house. This is especially great if you have kids or pets who are always leaving a mucky trail indoors.

Artificial grass always looks fresh and luscious. It is easy to maintain and refresh by simply sweeping the grass with a stiff brush against the grain or using an artificial grass rake. Synthetic grass is a great asset to any house as it is long lasting and durable. It will only add value to your property.

Density is a very important element to consider when choosing the perfect artificial grass for you. A low pile density can make artificial grass look very sparse. The greater the pile density, the fuller the grass will be. When searching for the perfect artificial grass, it is important to compare grass densities. You can find the density from the weight per m2. An example of a high-density grass is our Boyne grass which has a density of gr/m2 (grams per square metre). A dense grass is ideal for low levels of foot traffic, while less dense grasses are better for high levels of traffic. An example of one of our less dense grasses is our Navan grass which has a density of 1.250 gr/m2. The density affects the look of the grass, generally, the heavier the grass, the denser and lusher it is.

It is also important to consider the direction from which you will be viewing the grass. For a garden, you will be looking at the grass from your house or patio. When comparing your grass samples, it is important to place them correctly and view them from the right angle. The correct viewing direction is so that you’re looking into the pile. The grass should be curving towards you. To make sure you are viewing it from the right angle, take a look at the colour of the grass. If the grass is curving away from you, it has a lighter, shinier appearance. This is the wrong direction; the grass should be curving towards you and should have a lush and full appearance.

Budget is a factor which requires careful consideration. We offer a range of price points with our grasses, such as budget-friendly grasses and our premium range. When browsing through artificial grasses it is helpful to note that grass is sold per metre. It is a good idea to measure out where you want your artificial grass to go so that you can keep a rough idea of the area size in mind. This will make it easier when you are figuring out how much the artificial grass will cost. You can also get a quote using the quote calculator on our website.

Our premium grasses, such as Lansdowne, Boyne, Glendalough, and Kinsale, are great if you want to spend a bit more. The premium grasses are of the highest quality with higher pile heights, densities, and a realistic appearance. These are great for gardens and residential use. All of our premium grasses have a 10-year warranty.

Our budget-friendly grasses, such as Corrib, are great for decking. These budget grasses would not have the same depth or pile height as our premium grasses. If you are on a tighter budget, then look no further than our economy range. Grasses which are less dense are great for areas with less foot traffic, such as in restaurants, offices, or at events.

It is a good idea to choose a few free samples of our grasses to get a look and feel of our artificial grass range. It can be easier to compare our premium grasses to our budget grasses when you can see them in person. You can order free samples on our website which are delivered straight to your door, free of charge.

If you are buying artificial grass, it is essential to plan in advance. This requires measuring the area you want the grass to be and considering the foot traffic of the area. Also, what are you planning on using it for? Is it for a home garden with children and pets? Is it for a restaurant or coffee shop with lots of customers? Or an office or event? Each setting will require a different type of grass. To measure the area, you will need to measure the width and the length in metres, then multiply these numbers together to get the area in metres squared.

Our artificial grass is available in 2-metre and 4-metre-wide rolls. We then cut either size to your required length. The width cannot be changed.

You must also consider the foot traffic of the area. Areas with a lot of foot traffic are better suited to less dense grasses. Places such as restaurants, offices, gyms, and events, will favour a less dense grass as a denser grass may be a trip hazard in these situations.

How to Install Artificial Grass on a Soft Surface

Start by measuring the area and figuring out how much grass will be needed. Next you will need to prepare the ground. Remove all surface vegetation and rocks to a depth of 4 inches below the level you want to finish your garden. After preparing this, a sub-base level of gravel is installed. A level of quarry dust is placed on top of this. A weed membrane should then be placed over the sub base and fixed securely.

The rolls of grass are laid out next. As the rolls have a directional pile, please ensure that all rolls are laid out in the same direction. The edges of the grass are folded back and the joining tape is fixed to the sub base along the centre of the seam to be joined. Apply the glue to the joining tape. Fold the edges together and press down firmly onto joining tape. Brush where the grass joins to conceal the join.

We recommend fixing the grass to the sub base using 6-inch nails driven into the sub base every 6 inches around the perimeter.

After Grass Installation

Brush the grass against the grain in order to bring up the pile. Most of our grasses do not require a sand infill. However, if infill is necessary, you can use up to 10kg of silica sand per square metre as infill.

Installation for Hard Surfaces

Remove all surface imperfections and thoroughly clean and dispose of dirt, paint, grease or any residue which will prevent good adhesion for fixing the grass to the surface.

• For decking – Attach the grass with screws so that the decking can be checked for damage or resealed after installation.
• For concrete – Attach the grass using glue or Hilti nails.
• For cobble locking – We suggest just using glue along trip hazards and using sand infill to weigh down the grass to make sure the cobbles are left undamaged.

If you are installing artificial grass yourself, there are a few essentials which you will need. Some of these include joining tape, artificial grass glue, and installation pins. Even if you are not installing your own artificial grass, it is good to be aware of what is needed and what is involved.

200mm Wide Artificial Grass Joining Tape

This professional quality joining tape for artificial grass is our recommended way to join two separate rolls of artificial grass. This is used in combination with our specialised artificial glue and will help create professional quality artificial grass joins and seams which are invisible to the naked eye. This tape must be used with glue for joining, which is purchased separately. This is not an adhesive tape. The tape is placed with the shiny side towards the ground.

Collak Artificial Grass Glue - 290ml Tube

This glue is especially formulated for use with artificial grass. It has been dyed green in colour in order to blend in with the grasses, should any remain showing after your grass has been joined. Each tube of glue will cover approx. 6 linear metres of joining tape. You will need a silicone gun to use this product.

Our glue is a very high strength adhesive. It may be used on damp surfaces. It can be used on wood, concrete, stone and brickwork, metals and plastics, artificial grass, ceramics, felt, and most common roofing and building materials. This glue has excellent resistant properties too, for examples acids, alkalis, petrol, oils etc. Universally this is an excellent all-round product.

Aqua Bond Artificial Grass Glue Cartridge

This glue is especially formulated for use with artificial grass. It has also been dyed green in colour in order to blend in with the grasses. Each tube of glue will cover approx. 6 linear metres of joining tape. You will also need a silicone gun to use this product.

Our glue for joining is a single component MS hybrid polymer technology-based product. This glue is chemically neutral and free of silicones, solvents, halogens and Isocyanates. Isocyanates are the hazardous part of the two-component system and are pretty nasty chemicals. Our glue is UV- resistant and remains permanently elastic. It is fungicidal (meaning it will not grow mould), non- ageing, weather and water resistant and is also paint-compatible.

Our glue is a very high strength adhesive. The same as our Collak glue, it may be used on damp surfaces. It can be used on wood, concrete, stone and brickwork, metals and plastics, artificial grass, ceramics, felt, most common roofing and building materials. It can also be used on most natural stone. It also has excellent resistant properties to for examples acids, alkalis, petrol, oils etc.

Artificial Grass Installation Pins

These nails are ideal to secure artificial grass. These are placed every 6 inches around the perimeter of the artificial grass. For concrete, it is recommended to use Hilti nails.

Artificial Grass Adhesive Glue Bucket (4 kg)

This glue is specially formulated for use with artificial grass. This glue can be used to fix artificial grass to any solid surface which has been cleared of dust and dirt. We recommend that you spread this glue using a serrated spreader or scraper.

Whether you are building a roof garden, adding a decorative trim or simply joining two rolls of grass together – our MS-Polymer glue is the ideal choice. This glue will cover around 5 square metres when laid with full coverage on to concrete etc. It will cover around 15 square metres with a spotted application. For use with joining tape, you will be able to cover 50 - 60 linear metres per bucket with careful application.

Are you interested in learning more about Recycled Sports Turf? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!