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The average cost of artificial grass in the UK ranges from £40 to £135 per m², including materials and installation. Prices vary based on turf quality, pile height, and groundwork requirements.
The cost of artificial grass in the UK varies significantly, but you can generally expect to pay between £40 and £135 per square meter for supply and installation. This price range accounts for different quality levels, the complexity of the installation, and regional price variations.
Artificial grass is getting used as a solution to UK homeowners who want to have a beautifully green lawn, but do not want to work on it that much. You can be in a bustling city or a quiet town in the country, and you can easily use artificial turf as an option when compared to using the real one.
There are several expenses involved in the process of installing synthetic grass, and they may differ depending on the size of the grass area to be covered, the kind and quality of grass to be used, the installation procedure and any additional measures that may be needed with regard to proper drainage and appearance. Check this, a fairly comprehensive breakdown of cost and other details you need.
In the UK, the price of artificial grass may range tremendously, based on the quality, the pile height (the length of the grass blades), density and purpose of the same. And it all depends on whether you are just looking at the cost of the actual grass, but not including things such as installation, the sub-base and the labour required. But when you think it would be about:
| Quality Level | Price per M2 |
|---|---|
| Budget Artificial Grass | £5-£10 |
| Mid-Range Artificial Grass | £10-£20 |
| Premium-Range Artificial Grass | £20-£35+ |
Budget Artificial Grass (£5 – £10 per m²)
This is the cheapest and is typically lighter, being woven using fewer fibres and lower density. It is most appropriate to be used in unimportant decorative zones like display zones, balconies or in areas with minimal traffic. It is not as realistic and long-lasting as the more expensive varieties and could discolour with less UV protection.
Mid-Range Artificial Grass (£10 – £20 per m²)
It is a mid-priced range of easy maintenance and performance, which makes it the most preferred product on residential lawns. They are typically between 25-35mm in length and have softer density; they are also more natural looking, have reasonable durability and are not badly affected by UV.
Premium Artificial Grass (£20 – £35+ per m²)
On the steeper end of the scale, the high-quality artificial grass is intended to emulate natural turf and is intended to be as closely as possible. It has increased densities of the stitches, a multi-colour range of yarns and pile heights (up to 40mm or above), which makes it a luxurious, soft and life-like product. It is ideal where there is a lot of footfall in the garden area, or a pet area, or a family playing area.
Artificial grass has to be put in a cleared area before construction. This requires the extraction of any existing turf, rocks, paving and so on. The level of preparation will depend on the condition that the space was in before.
The houses that are hard to reach or where the garbage is dense can undergo the increased cost of labour.
A compacted sub-base needs to be placed so that the outcome is long-term. This assists in drainage, and the movement of the artificial grass does not occur as time passes. They use a layer of MOT Type 1 hardcore as installed in most areas of the UK.
The necessity of this stage is based on the prevention of the drainage problem and the surface instability in the future.
This will entail a thin even coat of sharp sand or granite dust. It gives a level surface before the installation of the turf. Granite dust is becoming more in demand due to its better compaction and drainage.
Even though sand is more popular, granite dust can be a worthy investment in moist regions.
The membrane of a weed is placed to prevent any weeds from coming up under the artificial grass. It is necessary for long-term maintenance, and it is used before turf installation.
A quality weed membrane should be used as well, and this is particularly necessary when the garden involved was nurturing natural grass or high activity of the weeds.
After the surface is ready, the artificial grass is rolled out, cut to fit and secured in place. This involves sewing together various parts with tape and glue, cutting around barriers and anchoring the turf with pins or nails.
Work such as joining and cutting should be done cleanly to produce a natural and clean finished look.
Edging will assist in binding the artificial grass and prevent it from moving. Also, it forms a clean and crisp trim on the lawn. Edging is done in two major forms: timber and composite.
Although timber is cheaper, composite edging is long-lasting and requires less maintenance.
Several issues affect the end cost of your artificial grass, which you assemble or employ someone to do.
If your property has restricted access where you have to carry material in by hand, such as narrow side gates, steps, the heavy items may require being carried by hand. In other installations, operators are not allowed to use wheelbarrows or even mechanical tools, as this extends their time and efforts.
In gardens which are waterlogged or naturally badly-drained, some extra work may have to be done. To stop the aforementioned water accumulating, a drainage pipe can be installed, which can be called either a soakaway or a French drain.
Neglecting the drainage requirements may lead to uneven wet spots and weeds to appear, or even damage the underpinnings after a couple of years.
In case your garden is not straight but rather curved or sloped, or has some unusual shapes, the installation will be more complicated. There is more cutting and edging, and time must be taken to ensure the sealing of the turf properly.
Such modifications could cause high labour expenses, especially when it comes to professional installations.
Even though artificial grass is considered low-maintenance grass as compared to natural turf, it requires a bit of maintenance to ensure its good condition throughout the year. The following is a budget for the annual maintenance measures.
You will have to clean your lawn by disposing of leaves, twigs, and other assorted waste. It may be accomplished with a stiff outdoor brush or a leaf blower. A decent leaf blower or brush typically costs between £30 and £100.
Although the weed membrane has contributed to house owners preventing the development of the weeds beneath the surface, there are those who are likely to be found along the edges or through the seams with time. Annual weed treatment using a basic weed killer costs approximately £10 to £20.
Sand infill placed to anchor the grass fibres may change over time or even settle down, particularly where there is a lot of traffic. Expect to spend around £25 to £50 each year on sand replenishment.
Other property owners wish to clean their artificial turfs regularly by a qualified individual who may work once a year to eliminate embedded dirt, animal waste smells and germs. A professional clean usually costs between £80 and £150.
When combining all typical tasks, annual maintenance costs for artificial grass usually fall between £60 and £200.
By knowing the distinction between artificial and natural grass, you may be in a better position to make a decision, especially regarding price, maintenance, and durability.
Artificial grass involves a higher upfront investment, usually between £1,500 and £3,500 for an average-sized garden. Natural turf, by comparison, is far cheaper to install, with costs typically ranging from £500 to £1,000.
In comparison, the natural turf requires a lot of cleaning and parameters such as fertilising, aeration, and mowing, especially during spring and summer seasons.
Artificial grass lawns do not need water or feeding. Instead, natural grass requires regular watering to keep it green and healthy and regular application of fertiliser during the seasons.
The artificial grass does not require any mowing, which is one of the greatest benefits related to it. In the case of natural grass, one will likely need to mow every week in the growing season, which takes either a person and their time, or a trustworthy lawnmower and its maintenance.
Taking your garden in the UK may come out as a good investment by installing artificial grass in your garden, a clean, economical, durable and all-year-round course available to be used. Although it could be much more expensive to install upfront compared to natural turf, the additional costs in maintenance, use of water, and work could be worthwhile in the long run.
Not all of us are likely to get our grass changed to artificial, but just in case you are a person who is tired of the muddy mess that nature presents, a maintenance light solution might be the answer: Artificial Grass!
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.