Artificial grass comes with an array of benefits, with its minimal need for maintenance and year-round luscious appearance taking the top two spots. As far as natural grass is concerned, you need the perfect growing conditions and the right expertise for it to thrive. This simply isn’t the case for synthetic turf, as it can be laid anywhere and everywhere and only requires the occasional rinse and sweep to remain in tip-top condition.
Despite this, some people find that their garden provides a near-perfect environment for a natural lawn to flourish; however, the key word here is “near”. Even in almost ideal circumstances, the majority of gardens will have a difficult spot that is too damp, shady, and worn down by foot traffic. Consequently, homeowners are left wondering whether they can “patch” artificial grass into problem areas of their real lawn and keep the rest in its natural state.
Can Artificial Grass be “Patched” into a Natural Lawn?
If you’re searching for a black-and-white answer to whether it’s physically possible to mix and match artificial and real grass, there’s no reason why this can’t be achieved. Synthetic turf provides a versatile solution in which areas of all shapes and sizes can be covered, and it can be installed without an obvious seam between artificial and natural lawns.
Should Artificial Grass be “Patched” into a Natural Lawn?
Whether the mixing and matching of artificial and natural grass can be done is different to the question of whether it should be done. Although synthetic turf is incredibly realistic, it almost certainly won’t match your natural lawn perfectly. This is because natural lawns are directly affected by growing conditions and maintenance measures, meaning it’s nearly impossible to keep every stretch of natural turf looking identical. For this reason, we wouldn’t suggest mixing and matching artificial and real grass, as we can’t guarantee that we’ll be able to mask the presence of the synthetic patch.
Can Artificial Grass be Laid Next to Real Turf?
Although we don’t advise you to lay artificial grass within your real turf, laying the two surfaces next to one another might be something you’d like to consider. Sectioning your garden into “zones” is one of the best ways you can maximise your outdoor space, and having two sets of terrains is an ideal way of creating zones. We recommend installing an edge, separating the natural from the artificial grass so that the natural grass can be mowed and maintained with no risk of damaging the artificial grass.
Real Grass vs Artificial Grass for Dogs
One of the biggest concerns for pet owners when contemplating whether to install a synthetic lawn is how this will impact their furry friend. Well, you’ll be glad to learn that pets tend to take to artificial grass very quickly, much like if you recarpet a room in the house. What’s more, a synthetic lawn looks and feels almost identical to a natural one; it just won’t have that natural smell, and your pooch won’t be able to dig it up and make mud.
If you have a small dog, you may find that they actually prefer artificial grass, as it won’t become overgrown and leave them feeling overwhelmed. Similarly, you won’t have to pry through overgrown blades to find your dog’s “business” to scoop up.
Last but not least, a synthetic lawn can cope with pets’ habits better than a natural lawn. For instance, pets tend to have a favourite lounging spot. On a natural lawn, grass would struggle to grow in this area, whereas artificial grass will spring back even after being regularly compacted. Not only do pets have a favourite lounging spot, but they also have a favourite toilet area. With natural turf, this can stunt the growth of the grass; however, on synthetic turf, the area can be regularly scrubbed to maintain your garden’s hygiene.
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Real Grass vs Artificial Grass for Sport
When it comes to artificial grass vs real grass for football, synthetic turf is the clear winner. Not only are artificial sports areas able to overcome all climate conditions, but they’re also more durable and require less maintenance than real grass.
Similarly, the safety of players is easier to assure on synthetic turf, as there are fewer lumps and bumps to trip over, as well as less mud to slip on. In addition to the minimised risk of injury, artificial grass is also installed with shock pads to absorb the impact of any falls that may occur.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of artificial grass from a sports perspective is its versatility; from football to tennis, almost anything can be played on these surfaces.
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Cost of Artificial Grass vs Real Grass
It can’t be denied that the installation costs of artificial grass are higher than that of natural grass; however, the maintenance costs incurred by a real lawn can really strain your pocket. Not only do you have to pay out extortionate amounts of money to care for natural turf, but there’s no guarantee that real grass will grow adequately in your garden. Regardless of your garden’s location and your gardening expertise, you can rest assured that an artificial lawn will look great all year round. As a result, synthetic grass is much better value for money.
Enhance Your Garden with Artificial Lawn Company
Here at Artificial Lawn Company, we’re dedicated to providing our customers with a year-round solution that lasts over 15 years in most cases.
Contact us to learn more.