Introduction
Firstly, a little about life BA (Before Artificial grass). This was a quaint time when muck in the kitchen was commonplace and it was not unheard of to step into your garden full of potholes. It was a time when wives nagged husbands to mow the lawn. When after the lawn was mowed, bags of grass sat outside for weeks, maybe months. A time when every Spring, diligent attempts were made to grow the perfect uniformly grass-green lawn.
Life After Artificial Grass
We have supplied countless artificial lawns this year and demand is high. It is a product that has a huge impact on daily living. Thanks to modern manufacturing methods, synthetic grass is durable, economical and looks real. Children absolutely love it and family pets do not need to be banished from it. It’s an all year round solution that looks great and hugely simplifies outdoor living.
So what is life actually like after artificial grass? We asked a recent synthetic convert who has a large family, lives in a suburban city area, and has been enjoying a real-life fake-grass experience for the last three months. Here’s what she said:
“I felt as though our family were wasting the back garden area – in rainy weather, the children wither didn’t play on the grass or if they did, the result was a mucky mess. We have quite a large garden space but it never looked inviting and the hassle of mowing the lawn was just too much. Our artificial grass has been installed for the past 3 months now and I literally don’t know how I lived without it. It’s completely maintenance free and the garden looks fantastic. I was worried that it would look really fake, but it doesn’t. I was worried that the dog would wreck it but it’s really durable. Everything is cleaner. I even enjoy washing the dishes now because I’m always looking out onto a perfect green!”
What Actually Changes After Installing Artificial Grass
The experience shared above is a common one, and it tends to come down to a few consistent changes households notice in the weeks after installation.
Weekend time back. Mowing, feeding, and weeding a natural lawn typically takes up a recurring chunk of weekend time through spring and summer. That time simply disappears once a lawn no longer needs it.
A garden that's usable regardless of weather. Ireland's rainfall means a natural lawn is often unusable, or at least unpleasant, for a large part of the year. Artificial grass drains quickly and doesn't turn to mud, which changes how often a garden actually gets used rather than just looked at.
Less mess indoors. Muddy paw prints and grass clippings tracked into the house are one of the most commonly mentioned frustrations natural lawns cause, and one of the first things households notice stops happening once that mud is gone.
A more consistent-looking garden year-round. Natural grass changes colour and thins out through winter and after heavy use. Artificial grass keeps the same appearance regardless of season or footfall, which is often what surprises new owners most, since they expect it to look artificial and instead find it looks more consistently "finished" than a real lawn ever did.
Considering Artificial Grass for Your Own Garden?
If this story sounds familiar, a few of our guides are worth reading before you start. Our guide to choosing the best artificial grass for your home covers pile height, density, and drainage in detail. If installation is your main question, see our step-by-step guide on how to install artificial grass on concrete, soil, decking, and tiles.
And if pets are part of the decision, as they were for the family above, our guide to artificial grass and dogs covers durability and cleaning specifically for households with pets.
Browse the full artificial grass range to get started.
FAQs: Life After Artificial Grass
Is artificial grass worth it for a family garden?
For many families, yes, particularly households with children or pets, since it removes the mud, mowing, and weather-dependent usability issues a natural lawn brings.
Does artificial grass look fake?
Modern artificial grass, manufactured with varied blade shades and lengths, is designed to closely resemble natural grass, and is a common concern that tends to be resolved once it's actually installed.
Is artificial grass durable with pets and children?
Yes. Quality artificial grass is designed to withstand regular play, digging, and pet use without showing significant wear.
How much maintenance does artificial grass need after installation?
Very little. Occasional brushing and rinsing is typically all that's needed, compared to the regular mowing, feeding, and weeding a natural lawn requires.
Does artificial grass help with a muddy garden?
Yes. Since it doesn't turn to mud in wet weather, it significantly reduces mess being tracked into the house, which is one of the most commonly cited improvements after installation.
How long does it take to notice the benefits of artificial grass?
Most households notice the difference within the first few weeks, particularly around reduced mess and the amount of weekend time no longer spent on lawn care.
Is artificial grass usable all year round?
Yes. Unlike a natural lawn, it maintains a consistent appearance and remains usable regardless of season or weather, including through Ireland's wetter months.
Can artificial grass be installed in a large family garden?
Yes. It's suitable for gardens of any size, and larger gardens often see the biggest time-saving benefit, given how much more maintenance a large natural lawn would otherwise require.
Why Tile Merchant?
We offer extremely competitive pricing on our entire range of tiles and likewise. We stock a huge range of wall and floor tiles and our prices are competitive for retail and trade. Our stock is widely available in our tile stores in Ireland, which are open 7 days a week.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to shop our tiles online, we can supply you with samples delivered for free.
