What you should know about installing artificial grass in the backyard

Are you considering redoing your backyard’s landscaping? If so, your landscaping project is also a fantastic opportunity to have artificial grass installed! Modern variations of artificial grass have greatly improved since their initial introduction in 1965, easily mimicking the look and feel of natural grass. Additionally, the weather in Portland, Oregon makes artificial grass a welcome addition to any home’s landscaping.

Of course, it’s not solely about convenience. Artificial grass offers a wide range of benefits for homeowners:

• Homeowners can devote more time to other important household chores since artificial grass does not require cutting, re-sodding, and the like—or simply spend more time creating memories with the family.

• Reduced water bills are also a welcome benefit to having artificial grass installed since it decreases the need to water your lawn significantly. Take note, however, that artificial grass does need to be “watered” every few weeks to remove debris.

If the thought of using artificial grass in your home appeals to you, you may want to keep a few tips in mind to make sure that you are able to seamlessly integrate the artificial grass in your backyard. Some of these tips include:

1. Find a Respected Installation Service

One of the most important steps you need to take is to make sure you work with a trusted installation company like Portland Artificial Grass. Installing artificial grass is more complicated than you may initially think. If the artificial grass is installed improperly, you may face drainage issues and other problems. Additionally, an experienced artificial grass installation service can easily recommend which brand of artificial grass offers the best quality and value for your money.

2. Flatten your backyard if possible

In general, you will need to get the ground in your backyard as level as possible to ensure a smooth installation process. Uneven land creates unsightly bumps and hills, as well as possible sections where the artificial grass may come off. Your installation company should be able to take care of this for you, but it’s something to keep in mind if your backyard has more than a few slopes or the ground is naturally inclined.

3. Address any potential weed problems

Weeds are a constant threat even when artificial grass is involved. You’ll want to ensure that your backyard is free of any weeds before you lay down the artificial grass; otherwise, the weeds may discolor and lift up the artificial grass. A good way to avoid such an issue would be to remove existing weeds manually and use a weed control landscape fabric prior to artificial grass installation.

4. Consider how you and your family will use the backyard

Lastly, consider how you and your family will be using your new backyard. For example, if you plan to host a neighborhood barbecue party in your backyard every other month, you’ll want to use a more durable variation of artificial grass. You will also need to think about how to deal with the inevitable spilled soda and/or condiments. Similarly, it would be wise to let your installation company if you plan to add any trees and other large plants to your garden as their roots may have an effect on the artificial grass.

Sources:

Pros and Cons: Artificial Grass Versus a Live Lawn, gardenista.com
How to Lay Artificial Grass, popularmechanics.com