Lloyd90 Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Hello lads, Wondered if anyone of you have, or have experience of artificial grass? Our back yard isn't that big, and due to a tallish wall at the back and fences either side, the grass doesn't get enough sun year round to stay in good shape. Currently it's very patchy and some parts are just exposed earth, leading to the dog running through it and covering the kitchen floor in mud daily. I am looking for advice on what to go for, we only have 3 smallish patches so it won't be much. Does it need to be very well fitted so you don't get issues? Could you DIY it or need to get a specialist in? Is there a lot of work in the prep work and ground under the 'grass' ?? Any particular ones to look out for? Obviously my dog needs to be able to go to the toilet on it... all mess is currently cleaned up right away, which is quite easy as he is raw fed. I am told you just give it a spray with the hose now and then and it's as good as new. Thanks Lloyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Put down a weed sheet and cover with chippings. Looks good and cleans the dogs feet and can be washed too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted January 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Just now, oowee said: Put down a weed sheet and cover with chippings. Looks good and cleans the dogs feet and can be washed too Yes my sister's just had hers done but shes too far away to use the same people. SO far shes saying no more dog dragging muddy feet back into the house. I'd prefer real grass but due to shade we just end up with half grass half mud patches everywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 A friend of mine did his back garden with it as when his dog's had a waz it killed the grass, he did it himself make sure its well fixed down and he just washes the bit's where the dog's have been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 When my dog has been working he like to role in the gravel to pull out all the thorns and stingers from his skin. Trouble is mine is just at the edge of the house and he spreads it all over the path. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Whatever you decide, ensure it is well fastened down, someone tried to steal an artificial lawn of a mate of mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 12 minutes ago, Scully said: Whatever you decide, ensure it is well fastened down, someone tried to steal an artificial lawn of a mate of mine. You are joking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted January 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 28 minutes ago, Scully said: Whatever you decide, ensure it is well fastened down, someone tried to steal an artificial lawn of a mate of mine. Sorry that was me Just kidding lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewulf Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 15 minutes ago, oowee said: You are joking? It's expensive stuff some of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 5 minutes ago, Rewulf said: It's expensive stuff some of it! Maybe but i can't believe anyone would nick it. It would be soaking and filthy and would not fit any of the rooms in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesefiend Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 My parents in law have artificial grass in their back garden, and fitted it themselves fairly easily. Foxes were going into the garden at night before it was laid down, and they continue to go in and try to dig up their existing spots now, so the corners of the turf were getting a bit of a going over. I think they’ve used some decking as skirting to pin it down around the edges which is working so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewulf Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 14 minutes ago, oowee said: Maybe but i can't believe anyone would nick it. Some of the more ahem , disadvantaged members of society, cant afford carpet in their caravans 😃 These poor people will steal anything not bolted down in your garden, plant pots , gnomes , shrubs , there was one round my way lately , they nicked freshly laid turf ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 1 hour ago, oowee said: You are joking? Not at all. Because it stretches when pulled out of shape ( as the thieves simply tried to rip it up rather than cut it ) he now has a couple of ‘rucks ‘ in it similar to those you would get in a carpet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 lad at work has done it in two houses, well gardens before anyone starts, he even hoovers it. Do you watch not going out? Very good episode concerning grass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 (edited) Like anything, its all about the preparation. The ground needs to be dug up and you need to lay down a fine aggregate so it is firm but drains well; Then like carpet, it needs stretching out and pinning down. I'm sure there would be loads on you tube to help you. I wouldn't touch it on a large area, but something small would be doable in my opinion. Edited January 10, 2019 by Cosd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 I reckon gravel chippings will be cheaper and easier to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted January 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Measured it up, it’s a bit difficult as the grass patches are diagonal and obviously cut off in straight lines on the boundary ether side. Worst case scenario it’s approx 250 ish sq foot, or approx 23 square metres. Just now, oowee said: I reckon gravel chippings will be cheaper and easier to clean. The boss wants grass 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Mate, dont get fake grass. Gravel, chippings, anything but fake grass that will have no life in it, and i mean real life, worms bugs etc. Astroturf is for sports grounds only. Not gardens... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treetree Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 I had some for a smallish garden and loved it. It dries out more quickly than grass and no muddy patches which meant the kids were out on it much more frequently. I used a company called Namgrass to supply and laid it with a handy mate. It does look that good that you can become a little obsessed forever picking out leaves and whatever else is blown onto it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted January 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 6 minutes ago, ShootingEgg said: Mate, dont get fake grass. Gravel, chippings, anything but fake grass that will have no life in it, and i mean real life, worms bugs etc. Astroturf is for sports grounds only. Not gardens... Gardens only small mate not much to worry about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everycal Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 We've got it. I'm really impressed. Had it for 6/9 months now. Ours is a much bigger area so ground prep was much more important. If I were you I'd still do it properly though. Fine for dogs too. I brought from these https://www.artificialgrass-direct.com/ and was impressed with price, selection and service. Got fitted by some local landscapers who did a really through job with the base and fixings etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 We have it in a courtyard garden which was completely concreted over. It’s been down almost four years now and it has been ideal. I can brush the whole thing over in ten minutes, the same length of time it took me to put it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Lloyd90 said: Gardens only small mate not much to worry about! Still ****... No matter what size ya patch is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prem1234 Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Yes I put one down a couple of years ago and it still looks really good..... Basically I leveled the lawn using type1/MOT (I needed to bring the levels up) and put 4x2 timbers around the outside fixed to the garden walls and cemented them into the concrete edging. I then put down some weed block and then 2 inches of building sand down, putting the whacking plate over so it was all square/level with the top of the timbers. I then cut the artifical lawn to the top of the timbers, laying it like a carpet and then nailed it down on to the timbers. The artificial grass has got holes every couple of feet so drains ok....you also get the odd weed that finds the hole and start growing, which can make the lawn even more realistic. It pretty much keeps itsself clean but we have been known to run the car cleaning vacuum cleaner over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delwint Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 (edited) Pretty much as Prem1234 said, MOT stone to level up the bulk if needed then use grit sand rather than building sand as it doesn’t go mushy the same. Screed the sand to the required level. Put geotextile weed membrane down to stop majority of weeds coming through. You will get some self set, but they are easy to keep on top of. 6” galvanised nails to pin the grass down. A good brush from time to time keeps the pile up. And I hoover in the dry weather with an old hoover. Jet washing it is also not a problem. No mud on the dogs paws anymore being carted into the kitchen. We fit quite a lot and I’ve personally had it for the last 15 years in 5 separate houses. If you need any advice drop me a message 👍🏼 Edited January 10, 2019 by Delwint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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