Choosing grass
Choosing artificial grass: pile, density, colour and backing
Samples can look almost identical on a showroom floor. Out in a Kettering garden, in flat winter light or bright July sun, the differences become obvious. Here is what each specification really changes.
Pile height: how long the blades are
Pile height is the length of the blades above the backing. A longer pile feels plush and looks generous on a lawn that is mostly admired. A shorter pile stands up better to feet, wheels and paws, and is easier to brush clean.
Long blades also lean over more with use, so a play area in long grass can look flattened and shiny where children run. That is not a fault, just physics, but it surprises people who chose the softest sample.
Density: how many blades there are
Density describes how closely the tufts are packed. A dense grass hides the backing, feels fuller underfoot and helps blades hold each other upright. A sparse grass can look fine on day one and thin once it has been used for a while. Part the blades on a sample and look at how much backing you can see.
Grass grades by use
Which kind of grass suits which garden?
Manufacturers use their own names, so compare the description rather than the label. As a general guide:
| Grass type | Feels like | Suits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short, dense pile | Firm and springy, close-cropped | Play areas, dogs, paths of heavy use | Can look less lush from an upstairs window |
| Medium pile | Soft, with a natural look | Most family lawns that get mixed use | Needs brushing where it gets trampled |
| Long, soft pile | Deep and luxurious | Show lawns that are walked on lightly | Flattens in busy spots; holds leaves and debris |
| Grass for paving or decking | Firm, often with a foam layer beneath | Patios, balconies, roof terraces | Drainage depends on the surface below |
| Putting or sports surface | Very short and fast | A practice green or games corner | Not soft enough for sitting or lying |
If you are torn between two, choose for the busiest part of the garden. A lawn that looks good where you actually walk will please you longer than one that only looks good from the kitchen window.
Colour and thatch: the details that make it look real
Real lawns are never one flat green. Better artificial grasses mix two or three shades of green and add a curly brown or beige “thatch” low down among the blades, which mimics dead grass at the base of a living lawn. In the soft light of an English autumn, that mix is what stops the lawn looking like a carpet.
Look at samples outside, in your own garden, at different times of day. A colour that seems natural indoors can look too bright against warm ironstone walls or red brick; one that seems dull in the shop may sit beautifully beside planted borders. Also look along the grass from a low angle, since some blades catch the light and shine more than others.
Backing: where the water goes
Underneath, the blades are stitched into a backing. Many grasses have a backing with small drainage holes punched through it at intervals. Others use a fully permeable backing that lets water pass across its whole surface. Fully permeable types are often suggested where pets are involved, or where water is slow to leave the ground, but the base underneath matters just as much. Turn every sample over and ask which type it is.
Blade shape and feel
Blades come in different cross-sections: flat, ridged, or shaped like a C, W or diamond. The shape affects how well they spring back after being stood on and how much they reflect light. You do not need to learn the names. Press a sample flat with your palm, let go, and see how quickly it recovers.
Sample checklist
Six checks to make with any sample
- Part the blades and check how much backing shows through.
- Press it flat, release it and watch the recovery.
- Turn it over to see whether the backing is holed or fully permeable.
- Take it into the garden and view it in morning and afternoon light.
- Run your hand against the grain to judge softness for bare feet.
- Ask what the maker’s guarantee covers, and keep that in writing.
Installers usually carry a range of samples. Ask to keep one or two for a few days if you can.
Questions about choosing
Is the most expensive grass always best?
Not necessarily. A premium long-pile show lawn can be the wrong choice for a family garden. Match the grass to the use first, then to the budget.
Do I need infill?
Some grasses are made to be used with a sand or other infill brushed between the blades to hold them up and add weight; others are made to go without. Ask what the maker recommends for the chosen grass.
Can I mix two grasses?
Yes, as long as the join is planned. A harder-wearing grass in a play corner and a softer one elsewhere can work well with a neat border between.
Found a grass you like?
Mention it in your request, along with how the lawn will be used, and request a quote.