Like you Trevor, I would like to do the same, however, I have heard a couple of horror stories about synthetic turf, when used in a large area. Small areas are, apparently, ok, however, larger areas have problems where the seams join. At least, that is what I have heard. I have had a look at a couple of examples and was less than impressed.
I got sick of wasting water on my lawn and just let it die, so I am looking for a low maintenance replacement.
My wife's sister / brother in law had their front (at least 20sqm) and back done. Everytime I see it I am impressed and they love it. It looks great when it is "naturalised" with a some leaves etc. Like everything there are good and bad versions of the stuff let alone good and bad installs. I can't remember how much he said it cost but I think my eyebrows went skyward!
Cheers
Dave
They use some large areas of it up at the dog park for the high wear areas that would otherwise become denuded of grass and muddy in the wet. So clearly there are types that are very hard wearing as it still looks perfect after 3 years of heavy doggy wear and tear.
I can't imagine dispensing with the smell of fresh cut grass ...
I can't imagine dispensing with the smell of fresh cut grass ...
I agree, I like the smell of fresh mown grass, but, water restriction in WA are set to get worse. We ain't getting much rain, it is just getting drier But, on the other hand, we do mostly get a lot of clear nights. And, no, I am not rubbing it in, honest
Hi Trevor
I laid around 70 square metres 18 months ago, primarily because of water restrictions, but also because I am generally lousy at growing lawn. 2 weeks after I laid it..they lifted water restrictions..typical. Anyway, that aside, I have been happy with it. Every month I get out the vacuum and clean off most of the leaves, (one of the garden blower/vacs, not the wife's electolux!) but I leave a few there to give it that authentic look!. The only drawback is on a hot day, It's hot to touch, you couldn't stand on it for very long in bare feet. That said I rarley stand out in the middle of the garden on a 38+ degree day
I heard there was talk of banning synthetic lawn in public places (such as road verges and out the front of houses) because it gets too hot - dogs expect it to be cool but burn their feet on it when they run on and discover how hot it is. I don't know if there's any truth to this, but the few times I've examined synthetic lawn up close it has bee very hot to the touch.
There have also been several cases I know of where synthetic lawn has been stolen - thieves come in and rip it up, carry it off. Not sure how much of a realistic problem it is. Obviously more of a risk for publicly accessible areas such as out the front.
Hi Trevor,
There are good and bad, the more expensive will look more natural. I was lucky to get some expensive $70ish per square metre for $33.00 per square metre. Mine has quite close together tufts and also has a support layer of "dead" looking grass that help keep the main grass fluffed up. It is the most natural one I have seen, and have had several people walk by and comment on how nice my lawn looks, until I tell them its fake, then the call me a cheat, after they reach down and rub their hands on it!
Yes I laid it myself with the help of my son and son-in-law. Once I'd worked out what I was doing it was pretty straight forward. Don't do it in windy conditions though. Not because of the lawn itself as its VERY heavy but the joining tape blows around all over the place.
I don't have animals, although I seem to accommodate other peoples...have scooped up a few poop's, with seemingly no effect on the lawn. Obviously if you have dogs that dig, make sure there is an area they can dig, as they will go some to get through the base layer. Although if they are persistent and continually scratching at it close to the edge they could hook their claws into a drain hole and lift the grass up or start to tear out the tufts.
I heard there was talk of banning synthetic lawn in public places (such as road verges and out the front of houses) because it gets too hot - dogs expect it to be cool but burn their feet on it when they run on and discover how hot it is. I don't know if there's any truth to this, but the few times I've examined synthetic lawn up close it has bee very hot to the touch.
There have also been several cases I know of where synthetic lawn has been stolen - thieves come in and rip it up, carry it off. Not sure how much of a realistic problem it is. Obviously more of a risk for publicly accessible areas such as out the front.
I haven't heard that they are banning it. I agree it gets hot, but no hotter than a concrete path or Bitumen road. If a dog ran onto it, Its not going to be hot enough to instantly burn them, they would vacate it quick enough. They would have to consider banning Bitumen, concrete paths and beach sand if that was the case. Hmmm That could be why there is less poop to clean up in summer!
I have heard of occasional theft, but I think that is more little squares of the stuff. It is very, very heavy. It took 3 of us to lift a roll of it into position, and once its down sand is swept onto it to help hold it down and hold the grass tufts up. Supposed to be 5kg of sand per square metre, so a roll is 15 metres by 2 metres = 150Kg of sand. Anyone trying to pinch a largish area is going to have their work cutout!
I heard there was talk of banning synthetic lawn in public places (such as road verges and out the front of houses) because it gets too hot - dogs expect it to be cool but burn their feet on it when they run on and discover how hot it is. I don't know if there's any truth to this, but the few times I've examined synthetic lawn up close it has bee very hot to the touch.
There have also been several cases I know of where synthetic lawn has been stolen - thieves come in and rip it up, carry it off. Not sure how much of a realistic problem it is. Obviously more of a risk for publicly accessible areas such as out the front.
That is one of the major differences. I believe lawn can reduce the temperature of a house by 4 degrees. Not sure if that is true, but in my last house I had a lot of concrete, and that was still quite warm at midnight, so I could believe it.
Concrete will retain the heat and radiates it slowly at night, I would suspect that this type of lawn would not retain heat, as usual their is varying opinion on how hot synthetic gets
Concrete will retain the heat and radiates it slowly at night, I would suspect that this type of lawn would not retain heat, as usual their is varying opinion on how hot synthetic gets
You are correct Trevor. My grass does cool down alot faster than concrete or pavers.
No animals at my place, but I have had 100-150sq.m done just before xmas. Couldn't be happier. Yes there is a little obvious joint at the seams and its almost too hot for bare feet on a hot day. Will be interesting to see what it is like in winter. Once the sun gets off it, it cools down VERY quickly. That's at least 60% of my yard that no longer needs retic. The front now looks a little better as I'm giving it a little more water than before. No weeding, no watering, no mowing and looks very natural- doesn't feel too bad either. The perfect place to roll my scope to in the evenings
feedback sought
But, on the other hand, we do mostly get a lot of clear nights. 
And, no, I am not rubbing it in, honest 
