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This is what you need to know

Artificial grass has many attractive properties, one of the most prominent is that it is easy to keep clean and fresh throughout the year.

Artificial turf rolls will remain green, so no grass seeds or water are needed to patch them in hot weather. In addition, its length remains the same, so you don't need to pull the mower all the time.

Jessica Fox of Grass Direct, a professional artificial turf supplier, said: "Artificial turf provides a wide range of benefits, including long-lasting, low-maintenance and looking great year-round."

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Stephen Pitcher, Homebase's director of gardens and seasonality, agreed, adding that manual selection provides "a real grass look, but with better abrasion and weather resistance."

There is no soil to worry about. For those who cannot grow natural grass in the garden, artificial grass is also a versatile option.

For other useful information about planning an ideal outdoor space, we have compiled a simple guide to creating a garden balcony, as well as some inspiring ideas for small gardens.

In this guide, we explained some of the key things you need to know before buying an artificial turf, and how to maintain it and install it in clear and simple steps.

Jessica of Grass Direct said: “There are many types of artificial grass, and entry-level options are as low as £8.99 per square meter.” Prices can climb to more than £50, depending on the brand and style.

The rolls have different lengths and widths, as well as square tile forms. As with any product, the cost of grass depends on the quality and quantity you need.

"At the high end, you can expect artificial grass to be composed of different shades and provide a thicker texture to provide a more realistic look," Jessica said.

When choosing artificial turf, you need to consider the pile height (how long the leaves of the artificial grass are) and the pile density. The higher the pile density, the thicker and fuller the grass will appear, and the higher the cost may be.

Your cost will also largely depend on the size of the area you cover. Make sure to measure the space accurately to avoid wasting or needing to order additional rolls.

You can also order samples from most retailers before making a final decision, and the cost should not exceed a few pounds.

You can choose to install artificial grass by professionals, and there are many local merchants and large retailers that can provide this service.

Grass Direct recommends Rated People and My Builder, "For quality and assurance, because these are certified fitters, you can check previous installations before booking to make sure you are satisfied with their work standards."

You can also lay artificial grass at home. Depending on the size of the outdoor space, you should spend a day or two to complete this work. If there are two people working together, this will be an easier task, especially if you have a large garden.

We explain how to lay artificial grass through expert advice below.

The first thing to do is to make sure you have a clean working space. Remove all garden furniture and objects and brush the space clean so that you have a prepared surface.

Stephen Pitcher of Homebase explains that if you need to remove the existing turf from the garden, you need to dig a depth of about 4 cm and add some additional material first.

"Spread out a layer of sharp sand as the foundation of the artificial grass. Evenly leveling and compacting the sand will ensure that the foundation underneath is firm," he said.

Don't worry about making the ground completely flat, as slight slopes and mounds will provide a more natural appearance.

"Using a weed film on the sand will help prevent weeds from entering," Stephen suggested. If laying on the top of a floor or concrete paving, you may need to use a cushion first, which will provide a gentle cushion and smooth out any imperfections.

After completing these steps, you can unfold the artificial grass pieces side by side, making sure that there are no gaps.

It is important to ensure that all the volumes point in the same direction so that it looks as natural as possible.

"The artificial grass is not completely straight, it has a small angle to it," Stephen explained. "Make sure to place the haystack toward the house so that it has a completely natural appearance when you look at it at home."

After the area is completely covered, trim any edges with a craft knife. Place the bonding tape (rough side up) between the rolls and apply the adhesive to it in a zigzag pattern. It should be positioned so that the edges of each roll meet in the middle of the tape, and they can be firmly connected together.

"In the place where the two rolls are rolled together, mess up the grass fibers to cover up the seals," Stephen added.

The last step is to regularly add grounding pins to the edge of the new artificial turf. This will ensure that it is completely safe.

Regular maintenance of artificial grass will help ensure that it stays in top condition for as long as possible.

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Although some people use household vacuum cleaners to quickly clean their artificial turf, Grass Direct experts say they do not recommend this. Instead, they recommend “replacement with a soft-tip brush” to keep it clean and regularly remove dead leaves and debris.

In general, avoid excessive force when cleaning fake grass, as this may cause damage.

“To remove liquid stains on the grass, please use a damp cloth or paper towel to soak up the stains directly before using the cleaner,” said Jessica Fox of Grass Direct.

If you stay on the fake grass for a long time, snow and ice can also cause damage. It is worth trying to use plastic instead of metal snow shovel to remove as much as possible, as metal may harm the grass in the process.

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