Artificial and rolled lawn in the landscape design of a summer cottage and a house, photo

If you are tired of keeping an eye on a lawn with natural grass, constantly mowing it, controlling the degree of moisture, then perhaps an artificial option will be your right choice. Such a coating has many advantages, but do not forget that there are also disadvantages. So what should you choose? Will artificial turf be better than natural?

Not everyone has the opportunity to grow a natural lawn in their summer cottage, which requires a lot of time and effort /

What it is?

Immediately, we note that the artificial turf was not created at all with the aim of making life easier for amateur gardeners. Its main purpose is stadiums, replacing natural surfaces with artificial ones. This made it possible to extend the service life, and was also much cheaper. And so, about half a century ago, an artificial turf was invented that does not require watering and sunlight.

Artificial grass, which is often laid near cottages or small buildings, has become a great alternative.

And only after the stadiums appreciated all the advantages of such coverage, landscape designers started talking about it.

To make such a coating look no worse than a natural grass cover, you need to take into account a number of nuances when choosing it.

Now this know-how is in demand not only for its original purpose - on large lawns, but also as finishing paths in the greenhouse and decorating the floor on the balcony. Also, the material is used to cover playgrounds and areas around the pool. Finally, this coating is used to decorate shop windows, summer grounds in cafes and restaurants, and exhibitions. Even the most unsightly areas can be easily decorated in this way.

Modern home improvement stores offer a variety of outdoor pavements.

Most often, lawns that mimic real grass are made of polypropylene, polyethylene or plastic. All polymers are extremely flexible and can easily withstand temperature changes and the effects of natural precipitation.

To choose the ideal option for your site, you need to familiarize yourself in advance with the assortment and features of each option.

In general, the manufacturing method is the same, only the material and production technology differ. "Blades of grass" are poured out of the hot polymer and then attached to the base.

Artificial turf is a covering made from non-natural materials that mimics the natural green cover.

The advantages of such a lawn are obvious:

• Long period of operation. With proper use, the rolled lawn will last at least 5 years. Today there are options that guarantee 15 years of trouble-free use.
• You can spread such a "carpet" yourself, without the help of certified specialists.
• This design is indispensable for shady areas where natural grass will not grow.
• Both you and your children can have fun on the artificial turf, it cannot be trampled. Even after active use, its appearance practically does not change.
• It is the perfect choice for those who like to soak up the grass. There are options that are very reminiscent of natural grass to the touch. At the same time, your things will never get dirty.
• Unpretentious care. The artificial turf does not need to be mowed, fertilized or watered. It will take a minimum of time to equip the site, while planting a natural lawn requires spending time, effort and money.
• Such a lawn will not rot due to the abundance of rain, and will not freeze due to low temperatures.
• Polymer lawns are much safer for active sports. They are lightly cushioned, which relieves stress on the joints.
• Easy to clean. All you need is a hose and a water source.

Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages:

• High price. High-quality coating is not cheap. Serious financial costs "threaten" if you need to arrange a large area or problem areas of your suburban space. Of course, these costs will pay off, but years later.
• If the air temperature is very high in the summer, then the polymer lawn will heat up by itself and heat the space around it. So it is unlikely that you will be able to relax on such a lawn.
• This herb cannot be processed. Therefore, even during the purchase, it is worth agreeing with the seller about the recycling of the plastic coating.
• Artificial turf design is not very diverse. This means that if you consider yourself a lover of change, it is better not to purchase a lawn made of polymers.

And yet, in each specific case, it is worth carefully weighing the pros and cons, and only after that make a choice.

Sometimes an unnatural lawn is used as a permanent decorative element in the area near a private house.

Care rules

Perhaps for someone this is news: you need to take care of the artificial turf?! Yes it is. And the better the care, the longer this coating will last.

Artificial grass is used as an element of landscape design.

Rule 1. Freshly laid lawns should be brushed at least once a week. It's all about the backfill, or the lawn filler. It should be neatly spread in a uniform layer over the entire area. For combing, use a special device, the so-called brush. After two months of operation, such a procedure can be carried out once a month, and this will be enough.

The top layer is a synthetic bristle, which is a coating that is resistant to wear and tear and environmental influences.

Rule 2. The lawn needs to be weeded. It would seem that artificial grass and weeds are incompatible things. But alas, this is not the case. Some plants are strong enough to break through the base of an artificial turf. And in this case, there are two options for solving the problem: either cut off the germinated plants, or weed them out. The first option is faster, and the second will require not only time, but also special preparations, which, if chosen incorrectly, will damage the surface.

For greater comfort, the coverings are equipped with special moisture removal systems. With their help, water that gets on the products will not accumulate.

Rule 3. Any organic debris must not be left on the surface of the lawn, as the base may be damaged during decomposition. So, in the autumn, the fallen leaves will have to be removed daily. Such garbage is removed either by hand (this will take more time), or with a garden vacuum cleaner (quickly and conveniently, but additional financial costs will have to be incurred).

The coating will retain its presentable appearance for at least five years. Some models have record rates of as much as 15 years.

Rule 4. Almost any stains can be removed without much difficulty; for this, soap and water are enough.

Unlike stone or brick laying, artificial turf does not require an obligatory invitation of specialists and additional expenses.

Rule 5. Since the polymer lawn is a breeding ground for bacteria, disinfection should be considered. From time to time it is recommended to treat the surface with a mixture of water and vinegar in a 1: 1 ratio.

"Grass in rolls" perfectly complements the appearance of shady places in summer cottages.

Rule 6. To make the artificial turf for a summer residence last longer and retain its original appearance, keep stabbing and cutting objects away. As well as chewing gums and plasters, which can be extremely difficult to remove from the surface.

Synthetic coatings are resistant to mechanical stress. They can be played and run all day long.

Rule 7. Do not allow vehicles (motorcycles, cars, ATVs) to move on the lawn. The exception is bicycles, wheelchairs, baby carriages. In addition, you must not walk on the surface with dirty shoes or shoes with natural grass residues. Spiked shoes are also prohibited.

You can choose the most natural to the touch coatings, which, unlike natural ones, will not stain your clothes.

Rule 8. If you have a pet that loves to dig holes (a dog, for example), do not let him stay on the lawn. It will damage the surface with its powerful paws. Important: if a playground is decorated with artificial turf and pets are walking on the same territory, it is recommended to treat the lawn with special bactericidal agents.

You will also not need to spend money on buying fertilizers and time for regular mowing and watering of the lawn.

Rule 9. The snow is brushed off with a soft broom. It is better to do this when there is no severe frost outside. Otherwise, the surface could be damaged by ice.

It can be used at any time of the year, without losing its presentable appearance and not succumbing to decay processes due to the presence of a special moisture drain.

Rule 10. To prevent the structure from deforming, fresh filler is poured in about every six months.

The resilient surface layer prevents the risk of bone damage from falling.

Artificial turf is not only a stylish, but also a practical solution for your summer cottage. However, without proper care, it will not last long. As you can see, both natural and artificial turf will require attention and energy. And what is better in your particular case is up to you.

In most cases, buyers leave positive reviews for the green flooring they purchase for their property.

VIDEO: The process of laying artificial grass.

50 options for using artificial turf in the country: