Artificial grass provides an excellent alternative to natural grass for those who want a natural-looking view without having to spend time and money on maintenance.
If you want to install artificial grass, you’re probably wondering how much it’ll cost. Throw away your calculator because we’re here to help!
In this guide, we’ll help you estimate how much artificial turf installation could cost you while taking all the variables into consideration.
What Is Artificial Grass?
The best artificial grass is a type of flooring that mimics the look of real grass. It’s mostly used in outdoor areas, but some residential and commercial places may use it in indoor areas.
Artificial grass is made up of filaments threaded into a backing, allowing water to pass. Usually, the backing has an extra compacted gravel layer for drainage.
Artificial grass can be made from polyethylene, nylon, or polypropylene.
The biggest advantage of artificial grass is that it barely requires any maintenance. You won’t have to worry about weed growth, especially if you back up your artificial grass with a weed barrier.
The downside of artificial grass is that the initial installation costs can be much higher than simply growing a natural lawn. It might also cost you a lot of money to replace in case of severe tearing or damage.
Factors That Influence the Cost of Artificial Grass
Artificial grass costs can be broken down into supplying and fitting costs.
If you’re installing artificial grass on your own, you only need to pay for supply costs and the things you’ll need to install the turf. This can be a cost-efficient method, but you won’t likely get the results you seek.
Setting that aside, here are some of the variables that influence the cost of artificial turf:
Turf Type
When it comes to flooring installation costs, the type and quality of flooring can have a significant impact on the total costs. Turf installation is no exception; there are many types of turfs that differ in quality, texture, height, colours, and overall feel.
There are light turfs, while others lean more towards dark green. You should also keep in mind that turfs with high or wide blades will also cost you more than turfs with thin blades.
Then we have the quality of the turf. Artificial grass that’s designed to be durable will obviously cost more than turf intended for light, indoor usage.
Area Size
The cost of artificial grass will change based on the size of the project. For example, a small 5 square-metre lawn can cost you £1000, while a large playground can cost almost double the amount of money.
On the other hand, the more artificial grass your project needs, the lower the price you can get on a per-square-metre basis, thanks to bulk discounts.
Extra Features
Artificial grass installation often includes some extras that customers can either opt in or out of. Of course, the more extras you ask for, the higher the total cost will be.
These include support padding, chemical sprays (for odour prevention), irrigation boxes, drainage membrane, infills, and sprinkler heads.
Artificial Grass Materials Costs
The material the artificial grass is made of will directly influence its price. Artificial turfs made of high-quality materials tend to cost more than other turfs. They look better and are able to withstand more severe usage circumstances.
Moreover, there are other materials needed to install artificial grass, including sand, weed membranes, nails, and others. Here’s a list of everything you need to install artificial grass:
- Installation pins
- Weed membrane
- Artificial grass jointing tape
- Shovel
- Turf cutter
- Hose
- Jointing adhesive
- Compactor
- Wheelbarrow
- Broom
- Artificial grass
- Razor knife
- Edging system
How Much Does an Artificial Grass Installation Cost?
The cost of an artificial grass installation varies depending on where you want to install it.
Residential Artificial Grass Costs
Residential artificial grass installation typically costs less than in commercial settings. Expect to pay £10-£15 per square metre of fake grass.
However, keep in mind that the cost could go higher based on your needs. For example, if you want your lawn to be pet-friendly, you’ll need a different type of fake grass that won’t harm your pets.
Schools, Nurseries & Sports Facilities Costs
Installing artificial grass in schools, nurseries, and sports facilities could be slightly more expensive than in residential places.
Fake grass in such facilities has to be durable and safe, so expect to pay upwards of £20 for every square metre.
On a side note, since installation projects in these locations are typically larger, you’ll be able to benefit from bulk discounts.
Commercial Installations Costs
Commercial artificial turf tends to cost the most. On average, you’ll have to pay £30-£40 per square metre to install artificial grass in commercial settings. These are high foot traffic places, so the grass has to be tough and durable.
How much is a square metre of artificial turf?
A square metre of fake grass typically costs between £10 and £30. But, of course, there are factors that affect the price, like application, grass type, project size, and others.
How much will you be saving with artificial grass?
On average, natural grass lawn maintenance will cost you between £20 and £40 per hour depending on the size of the lawn. Of course, the bigger the area is, the more you’ll have to pay.
If you were gone for a long period and didn’t maintain your lawn, expect the maintenance costs to double or triple.
Conclusion
Alright, so that was a brief overview of the cost of artificial grass installation.
It’s not exactly cheap, but it’s a smart investment that will pay off in the long term as you’ll be saving on natural grass maintenance costs without losing the mesmerising view of greenery.
So what are you waiting for? Now is the best time to install artificial grass!