ilovemyheckler Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 Anyone got experience/advice regarding artificial turf? We are about to get our back garden remodelled and are thinking of artificial turf for low maintenance and because we have three dogs. Its not a huge area, probably 20m x 10m Is any type suitable for dogs or would we need to get a pet specific type? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 Yes I was looking into it a couple of weeks ago , about the same, area as you . Just for the turf I think around 3 - 4 grand . Then labour , and other materials that's like 200 square meters any around 15 - 20 pounds a meter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 It always looks awful. A tough hard wearing grass is cheaper and looks better regardless of the dogs. Feed it if u have too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 A relative has artificial turf and dogs; bad combination - in hot dry weather, unless washed down regularly, smells of dog's pee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 Stick to real grass, just a hardy variety. Plastic grass imo is an awful invention for garden's. Removes readily available earthworms for the blackbirds for one. Once worn out it will be yet more plastic pollution etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 Not sure about low maintenance, I'm sure that you need to sweep regularly and apply sand as well as weeding, yes it does get weeds in it if you are not careful. We looked at different types of soft ground cover for a multi use area to the side of our church and this was rejected quickly due to the wear, environmental and maintenance issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lampro Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 In the flooring industry for 30 years and I dint rate it, looks good when used at golf and horse days by the beer tent but stick to real turf allot better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 A local builder had his astroturf lawn pinched while away on holiday! 😳 I kid you not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted April 14, 2021 Report Share Posted April 14, 2021 My sister has it, it doesn’t smell of pee or have any weeds and it looks great. It’s lovely having a nice real lawn without dogs but everyone I know with gundogs that wants a semi decent garden has sectioned their garden up and keeps the dogs off the grass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 Bloke next door and his family spent a couple of weeks putting artificial turf down in there back garden , Now when they pick up the dog poo they get a basin of water and rinse the area down ?? i will stick to my slabs LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 6 hours ago, Lloyd90 said: everyone I know with gundogs that wants a semi decent garden has sectioned their garden up and keeps the dogs off the grass. This, it’s frankly disgusting to allow your dogs to defecate or urinate on your lawn if you use that space for your own amenity. Make your dogs a yard for toileting and then when they are in the garden they should be under control not coursing around like lunatics. Clear the yard twice a day and use Jeye’s fluid or similar to scrub it twice a week. My dogs’ yard is 10ft x 10ft and unseen from any part of the garden etc, behind a shed. One door from utility room opens directly onto it, the other opens onto the side garden for taking the dogs out for walks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raja Clavata Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 With the proper ground work and an appropriate quality synthetic turf it can, and mine does, look superb. When we used to have (were allowed) visitors people would often ask if it was real or fake grass ("it looks like real grass but I've never seen a real grass lawn look that flat and uniform"). We used to have patches in the real grass where the dog urinated, holes where he'd dug when a pup and would have the underfoot feel of a peat bog through most of the winter (despite having underground draining). None of that any more and what a liberating feeling chucking the lawn mower and strimmer out. If the ground work is done properly the only weeds you should get are growing out of the sediment above the turf and can be easily removed. There is an issue of odour from dog urine but a wash down once a week keeps that at bay. We vacum it a couple or three times a year too which always amuses the neighbour, truth is he's "green" with envy though. PS - IMHO do not even consider the striped varieties, I've yet to see an installation with that which looks in any way authentic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Heron Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 I had a top grade turf lawn laid and the first thing the dog did was to dig it up so now I have replaced it with an artificial one very little maintenance and it frustrates the dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treetree Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 I had it for a smallish area after a house rennovation as I couldn't face the prospect of keeping dogs and small children off an area to be seeded or turfed. Glad I went for it; always looked vibrant, kids could the use the area any weather as drained and dried very quickly and no muddy / worn areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modafinale Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 Everything said is true, but no one has mentioned how much heat it reflects ! when it’s hot you can’t walk barefoot on it. I’m in the trade and bought the dogs b version looked amazing but as others have said it needs jet-washing every year at the very least . Yes it’s does get weeds but nothing can prepare you for the heat that comes off it. grass is better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 I have both. The front being only a small area, we decided to have artificial turf put down last June. Apart from brushing it once to remove pine needles, from next doors tree, it still looks excellent and has had many admiring comments. It was not cheap, but it came with a 10 year warranty and was installed by Professionals. The rear lawn is grass and as the lawn mower is getting old, well she is 74 this year, I bought a robotic mower thing, which I am in the middle of installing, it's only drawback is that it can NOT cook, so I am unable to bin the old lawn mower just yet ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 (edited) 20 hours ago, Lloyd90 said: My sister has it, it doesn’t smell of pee or have any weeds and it looks great. It’s lovely having a nice real lawn without dogs but everyone I know with gundogs that wants a semi decent garden has sectioned their garden up and keeps the dogs off the grass. What you talking about. My lawn isn't sectioned off because of the dog. Only thing i get is the pee patches due to his pee killing the grass but that's just part of a dog on lawn. Why keep the dog off apart from that and being lazy not wanting to pick up poop.. I don't roll around on the grass or lick it or eat off it. I walk over it to get to one area to another. Simple Edited April 15, 2021 by ShootingEgg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 2 minutes ago, ShootingEgg said: My lawn isn't sectioned off because of the dog. I have to admit - I cannot ever recall anyone I know sectioning part of the garden off against the dog(s) (other than where food is grown). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 Just now, JohnfromUK said: I have to admit - I cannot ever recall anyone I know sectioning part of the garden off against the dog(s) (other than where food is grown). Yeah our veg patch is but that's just because it will stop the dog trampling it all. Do people who section off the garden use gloves to open gates or when out beating or in a hide? Lots of nasties out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 If you have a large garden it makes sense to train your dog to use its yard to defecate rather than hunting around the grass for faeces. Some small faeces will invariably be missed only to be discovered under foot. I happily sleep on my lawn after a few beers in the sun. My children play on it and eat off it no doubt. I have friends and family over without worrying where they stand. I know I will sound like a dog snob but when I go to someone’s house (frequently due to my profession) and they say “oh mind your step, we have dogs” I always have to catch myself from finishing “that you haven’t bothered to train”. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 1 hour ago, WalkedUp said: know I will sound like a dog snob but when I go to someone’s house (frequently due to my profession) and they say “oh mind your step, we have dogs” I always have to catch myself from finishing “that you haven’t bothered to train”. Not a snob. They are just lazy! But are you saying you've never had a picnic in the park or are on the beach, they will be plenty of carp there probably inc human waste.. I'm not going to section my garden just because I have a dog, never seen the need. I've had spaniels in my life since day one. And I'm normal and healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted April 15, 2021 Report Share Posted April 15, 2021 18 minutes ago, ShootingEgg said: But are you saying you've never had a picnic in the park or are on the beach, they will be plenty of carp there probably inc human waste.. Sadly true, but I can do little about that. I send my time knee deep in all manners of muck on the farm, but it’s nice to have a small patch of England that is beautifully clean, fragrant and tidy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 16 hours ago, WalkedUp said: but it’s nice to have a small patch of England that is beautifully clean, fragrant and tidy. Air Wick in ya bathroom 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 4 hours ago, ShootingEgg said: Air Wick in ya bathroom 😁 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 On 15/04/2021 at 20:01, JohnfromUK said: I have to admit - I cannot ever recall anyone I know sectioning part of the garden off against the dog(s) (other than where food is grown). For the rare occasions my dogs don't go while out on a walk I've simply taught my dogs to go in one corner, if you train them properly there's no need to section the garden off, not that I would anyway. To the op definitely go lawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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