BLOG

Artificial Grass news and informative articles

Family, kids & artificial grass

When it’s time to play and get a good dose of good old outside sunshine and vitamin D, chase the kids out of the house and let them romp on a safe lawn of artificial grass. Kids love it. 

Artificial lawns are a great choice as they are porous, UV stabilized and a good replacement for sand, muddy grass or hard surfaces. 

They can be installed successfully on hard or soft surfaces with good drainage qualities providing the sub-base structure is done correctly on soft surfaces. 

Yay! No more muddy footprints on your clean floors..

Accredited Partners of Greenplanet Artificial Grass have professional installation teams who are well trained  to install quality garden lawns in Cape Town, Hermanus and the Overberg, taking good care of your property with minimal impact on your privacy and lifestyle.

Refer to our “HOW TO” page for more info on installations of synthetic turf.

Children playing on artificial lawn

Is artificial grass perfectly safe for kids?

Yes, artificial grass is perfectly safe for kids, from new-born babies to toddlers and teens.

That artificial grass is not suitable for children’ is a persistent myth that blemishes its reputation. Sure, earlier versions might have been hard and scratchy. But thanks to advances in technology and science, artificial grass is a safe bet nowadays for children and the rest of your family. It’s also a popular solution for playgrounds and schoolyards.

How safe is ‘safe’?

That said, there are unfortunately also cheap low-quality types of artificial grass on the market, so If you want to ensure your kids’ safety and health, steer clear of those. Always go for an artificial grass supplier who can guarantee you the characteristics in the next post. That way, you might even find natural grass to be a less safer choice than a synthetic lawn.

toddler-on-safe-artificial-grass

Reasons why artificial grass is safe for kids

  • Non-toxic and lead free

To maintain a natural lawn, you regularly have to apply fertilisers and pesticides. Children might come into contact with these harmful chemicals when they’re rolling around on the lawn or if they – don’t think they don’t – put grass in their mouths.

By installing artificial grass in your backyard instead, you keep these toxins at bay. Not only because your artificial lawn doesn’t need this kind of maintenance – in fact, it hardly needs any maintenance – but also because superior fake grass is manufactured using 100% non-toxic and lead-free materials.

  • Soft on the skin

High-quality artificial grass gives your children a beautifully green and fluffy playing surface for napping or romping all year round. They can spend all the time they want on  the lawn without skin irritation from the fibres of the synthetic turf.

  • Clumsiness friendly

With toddlers learning to walk or overly active kids racing around all day, the next fall and accompanying crying fit are just moments away. The density and softness of artificial grass offer a slight cushioning effect, protecting kids when it happens.

You’ll notice the biggest difference when you install artificial grass on the hard surface of your patio, terrace or balcony (no more carpet burns) and around your swimming pool (no more slippery surfaces).

  • High hygiene level

Another reason why artificial grass is a safe bet for children? It’s made with polyethylene and polypropylene fibres, materials that don’t attract mites, ticks or other insects, unlike natural grass.

Also, don’t worry about food residue or dog droppings infesting your lawn with bacteria. You can easily clean artificial grass: simply pick up the waste carefully and give your lawn a quick rinse with the hose.

  • Cool under little feet

Terrace tiles or paving stones can become too hot to walk on barefooted in summer. Luckily there are infill options that create more stability for your artificial grass and at the same time help cool your lawn.

If you add sand between the fibres of your lawn, the sand retains water – from dew or a little water sprinkling. This helps reduce the temperature of your artificial grass. So, when installing your artificial grass, be sure to provide infill.

Benefits that also come in handy for mom and dad

So, it’s safe to say that artificial grass is safe for kids. But Turfgrass artificial grass also has some other perks that will make any parent or grandparent happy.

  • Mud and puddle free

If your children go out into the garden after heavy rainfall, they’re going to get dirty and leave muddy footprints all over the house. That is, unless you have artificial grass installed with an excellent drainage 

Artificial Grass has a drainage capacity of 60 litres per minute per square meter. It doesn’t puddle or get marshy, keeping your children and your house clean.

  • Resistant to wear and tear

Little rascals can romp and cavort to their hearts content. Artificial grass is tough and durable, even when attacked by kids. LOL

The piles are attached to a primary backing made of polyurethane which enables them to adhere better than any other type of backing. Rest assured; our artificial lawn isn’t easily damaged.

  • Score points with your kids

If you really want to wow your children, turn your garden into a

outdoor playing area with its own outdoor carpet. Combine different bright colours, add crazy designs or even a hopscotch diagram.

Your kids will love this exclusive type of artificial grass. The best part? A good turf offers all the safety benefits mentioned above. No worries, no maintenance, only fun.

Courtesy https://www.turfgrass.net/

Kid jumping in mud

Which surfaces are suitable for artificial grass installations?

The best surface for artificial grass? Your first answer would likely be ‘soil’, because a synthetic lawn is often used to replace a natural one.  

In reality, Synthetic grass has a wide range of applications because of it’s versatility and can be easily laid on numerous surfaces.

Soil, concrete, wood, brick, plastic; you name it as long as the surface is level with good drainage. 

Here is an overview of some suitable surfaces and considerations before proceeding to install your artificial turf:

Artificial Grass on Soil 

This is the most popular surface for artificial grass. Having a reliable weed barrier will save a lot of time – better safe than sorry, because once rooted, dreaded dandelions don’t die easily.

Synthetic grass on concrete 

This is a great way to make your cold grey slab of concrete a more colourful and cosier place. It isn’t labour intensive to install on at all, as you don’t need to remove grass or other vegetation. Before you install artificial grass on your patio, balcony or swimming pool area, make sure the surface is clean and smooth. Besides that, ensure there is proper drainage under your Artificial Grass.

Synthetic Turf on Wood

This is also a potential substrate. Consider the time you’d gain if you didn’t have to spend your time scrubbing, sanding, painting and varnishing! It’s important to clean and seal the wood substrate to promote drainage before the grass installation. Our innovative polyurethane (PU) backing is an excellent solution to prevent mould.

Synthetic Lawn on a brick surface 

Such as a patio, is perfectly compatible with the installation of an artificial lawn. It is mostly uneven, so it needs some preparation before installing the grass. In the case of a brick driveway, be aware of the high impact of your vehicle. It’s not a good idea to use artificial grass as a parking spot. We recommend contacting one of our professional installers. They will guide you through more specifications and offer practical information to guide your decision.

Artificial Grass on a plastic surface 

This is a less common base for an artificial lawn, but it is often used to decorate chairs or tables. Tape and adhesives are the most-used aids for this application.

Artificial Grass is therefore clearly a versatile and suitable covering for almost any type of surface. However, carefully consider your needs and the type of substrate before installing your Synthetic Turf.