Artificial grass was first used for sport in the 1960’s and only became popular as a replacement for natural lawn in landscaping during the 1990’s.

In fact it was in 1966, that AstroTurf – a short-pile artificial grass – was first installed in the then newly-built Astrodome in Houston, Texas in the USA.

Originally, the Astrodome had natural turf installed, but because of the materials used to construct the transparent roof which allowed the grass enough light to grow, the glinting of the sun on the ceiling panels made day-time games difficult. The roof was then painted to try and solve this problem, but ended up reducing the amount of sunlight needed for the grass to grow properly.

In a bid to find a good alternative solution, the stadium owners and a team of product engineers began working on a new, artificial grass playing surface which they eventually name ‘ChemGrass’. It was installed and tested at the Moses Brown School in Rhode Island in 1964 and proved to be a huge success. They later changed the name to ‘AstroTurf and installed it at the Astrodome.

AstroTurf soon took off in popularity and quickly spread to the rest of the United States, followed by Canada and Europe. By the early 1970’s, AstroTurf was being installed in the many closed and domed sports arena’s which had become a trend across the globe.

AstroTurf in its early days was a pretty hard and unforgiving playing surface that wore quickly and resulted in injuries and a reduced quality of game play. It was only after decades of further research and product development that the artificial grass we see today, was developed and started regaining popularity as an sports field turf alternative.

Modern Artificial Grass – the innovations that made the difference

Artificial grass was originally made of polypropylene which made it hard and unyielding. Today however, artificial grass is manufactured using polyethylene. Polyethylene is not only much softer and kinder to the skin, but it is also not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.

The substrate used before laying artificial grass has also improved immensely, resulting in a more cushioned experience and less stress on players joints.

Instead of short, hard blades of grass, the grass blades are now longer and spaced further apart which allows cleats to sink into the surface, just like they do on natural grass.

How Artificial Grass will make your sports field a pleasure

Maintenance: Artificial grass does not require irrigation, mowing, fertilising, top-dressing, scarifying or any other tasks that make natural grass so challenging to keep looking perfect.

Wear and Tear: It is very difficult to keep sports fields that are used regularly looking their best. Natural grass wears quickly and constant use can cause it to die off – particularly in harsher climates. Artificial grass on the other hand is extremely hard-wearing and can be used almost permanently without degrading.

Water-wise: Because artificial grass does not need watering, it is a definite winner in water-scarce regions.

Increased Practice Time: Artificial grass fields can be used for up to 3000 hours per year, whereas natural turf can only be used for around 700 hours per year.

Aesthetics: No matter the weather, artificial grass always looks fresh and green, and lines can be inlaid to ensure the field always looks perfect.

Versatile: Artificial grass fields can be used for a wide range of sports both indoor and outdoor. Some of the more popular South African sports that use artificial grass include soccer, rugby, hockey, athletics, golf and cricket.

Perfect Grass offers the professional installation of sports fields with artificial grass. With offices in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, if you are a school, sports club, university or any other organisation looking for a sports field with artificial grass – give us a call.

Call us on 021 212 9898 (Cape Town) or 010 442 0400 (Johannesburg)

You may still be on the fence about whether or not to install artificial grass in your garden. Perhaps this is because you are unsure as to whether artificial grass will feel plasticky, bristly and uncomfortable.

The good news is that artificial grass has come a very long way in recent years. Vast improvements in the design and production of artificial grass, as well as the materials used to manufacture and install it, have almost eliminated the drawbacks that were traditionally a feature of artificial grass.

The Feel

Many of us love the feel of a beautiful lawn under our feet. So how does artificial grass measure up?

The blades of artificial grass are formed by sending thin nylon or polypropylene sheets through specially designed moulds. This process produces thin blades of grass that have an oval shape and are slightly irregular, which closely resembles natural grass.

Secondly, a filler, which feels very similar to soil, is used keep the blades of grass upright. The result of this is that artificial grass feels genuine underfoot and to the touch.

In short, good quality artificial grass has a soft, comfortable and welcoming feel that mirrors the most beautiful varieties of perfectly maintained, natural grass.

The Smell

DIY artificial grass is made of rubber and other materials that tend to give off unpleasant fumes when exposed to the heat of the sun. Good quality artificial grass however, such as that which we supply at Perfect Grass, has been designed and manufactured using materials that do not smell, even when exposed to high temperatures.

Without proper drainage, hygiene can also be a problem with artificial grass. Urine and water need a means to drain away from the lawn in order to keep it dry and free of stagnant liquid. Besides sanitising your artificial grass from time-to-time, ensuring that you select a professional and reputable artificial grass installer, who will ensure the correct levelling and drainage, is imperative.

The Colour

Artificial grass is often associated with an unnaturally bright, solid colour green lawn. The colour of good quality artificial grass offers the more muted green colours and subtle blade colour variations which closely resemble natural lawn. Depending on the variant you choose, a high-end artificial lawn, such as our Spring Series – 30mm, will even include the light-brown root-level tufting that is found in natural grass.

The Texture

Thanks to the materials used in the manufacture of artificial grass, as well as the filler used to keep the blades of grass upright, artificial grass has the same basic texture, shape and size as natural grass. This means that the grass reacts in the same way as natural grass.

After running on artificial grass, playing on it and so forth, the blades of grass found in a good quality product, bounce back up just as natural grass does.

Some types of artificial grass, such as the range we supply at Perfect Grass, are so well manufactured, that you would need to get down to ground level and inspect the grass very closely to determine whether it is the real deal or not.

But don’t take our word for it! Why not give us a call today and arrange a consultation at no charge to you. We will provide samples of our artificial grass range for you to touch and feel, which is the best way for you to make sure whether artificial grass is the lawn solution you’ve been looking for.

Call us on 021 212 9898 (Cape Town) or 010 442 0400 (Johannesburg)

Imagine a hassle free lawn that looks gorgeous all year round? The technology used to manufacture and install Artificial Grass has come a very long way in the last decade. Artificial Grass which today, looks and feels very close to the real thing, provides so many benefits over natural grass, that it has to be the obvious choice for anyone looking for the perfect, property value boosting and practical lawn.

Aesthetics
Artificial Grass always looks great.

A lawn from Artificial Grass has the appeal of perfectly maintained, natural grass throughout all four seasons of the year and under all weather conditions. You will never experience soggy, muddy patches during the rainy season, nor dry, brown grass during the hot or dry seasons of the year. The colour of Artificial Grass remains consistent across the entire expanse of the lawn, including under shaded areas where grass typically does not grow well.

Maintenance
Artificial Grass is so easy to maintain.

When it comes to maintaining a lawn in high traffic areas or under challenging conditions, you can save time, which you can put to far more productive use. Mowing, trimming, edging, fertilising, re-seeding and watering become a thing of the past when you install Artificial Grass! All that is required to maintain your lawn is the occasional sweeping to remove debris and lift the pile of the grass, as well as a spray if you have pets.

Water Savings
Artificial Grass needs zero irrigation.

Not only are we facing constant water restrictions in South Africa, but water is also becoming increasingly pricey. With Artificial Grass there is never the need for irrigation, which typically consumes hundreds of precious litres of water every day. Just an occasional spray is all your Artificial Grass will need to remove dust or pet soiling’s.

Saves Money
Artificial Grass is easy on your monthly budget.

Once you have invested in the installation of your Artificial Grass, your expenditure is over. Not only will you save on the cost of watering and irrigation system maintenance, but you will also save on fertiliser, pesticides, top-dressing and mowing. Artifical Grass saves you money in the long run!

Healthy
Artificial Grass can be better for our health.

Many children and pets suffer allergies from grass, but with Artificial Grass, you no longer have to worry about this! Not only are allergies a thing of the past – you can also wave goodbye to your exposure to harmful pesticides and chemical fertilisers.

Versatile
Artificial Grass can be installed anywhere.

For anyone in search of the perfect lawn, it can be very difficult to find a grass species that will thrive under all conditions. In hot Mediterranean climates, a green lawn is a virtually impossible achievement, while most grasses, despite all the promises made by manufacturers, is rarely capable of surviving dense shade. With Artificial Grass you can enjoy the perfect lawn in all conditions and locations! From large suburban gardens, to tiny rooftop gardens, Artificial Grass can be installed anywhere!

Reliable
Artificial Grass always looks great.

If you are a landlord or if you travel often – keeping a lawn looking beautiful so that it continues to add value to your property, is a nightmare. Tenants are rarely concerned about maintaining a perfect lawn, while relying on maintenance teams and irrigation systems to keep your lawn perfectly clipped and hydrated while you’re away, is a genuine headache. With Artificial Grass, you can rest assured that a once-off investment is all you need to enjoy the benefits of a perfect lawn, all year round, whether you are there to care for it or not.

The benefits of having a lawn with Artificial Grass is clear. There are options to suit all commercial and residential lawn applications, and we can help you with all of them.

Get in touch with us today, and one of our consultants will be happy to visit your premises and advise on the best artificial grass options for your particular needs.

Call us on 021 212 9898 (Cape Town) or 010 442 0400 (Johannesburg)

One of the most appealing aspects of having artificial grass installed in your garden, is its distinct ease of maintenance. Having said this, what exactly should you do to maintain your artificial grass, and ensure that it gives you maximum years of service?

To keep your artificial grass in tip-top condition, your maintenance routine will involve cleaning. How much cleaning you need to do, depends entirely on what your artificial grass endures on a day-to-day basis. If you were told that you simply need to hose down your lawn occasionally, well, that is not the whole story. A well maintained artificial lawn will require a little more attention than that, albeit quick and simple to care for.

Debris and Dust
Keeping your artificial lawn free of leaves, branches, sand and dust is vital, as a build-up of these will cause blockages in the draining system of the lawn and could result in the pile of the lawn lying flat.

Using a garden blower and a garden vacuum, you will be able to easily keep your artificial lawn looking beautiful. The more regularly you attend to your lawn, the easier it will be to keep clean.

If you don’t have a garden blower and vacuum, you can also use a broom and pan, however we would highly recommend the garden blower and vacuum combination.

Spills and Stains
It’s fairly obvious that strong chemicals, paint and anything hot or flammable should be kept away from your artificial lawn, but what about more common substances that could stain? Coffee, tea, wine, blood, sweet drinks and alcohol are bound to find their way on to your artificial lawn at some point, so how do you clean up spills and stains?

1. Absorb: Using a towel, paper towel or even cat litter, blot up fresh spills as quickly as possible.
2. Treat: Using water and some mild detergent such as dishwashing liquid or even better, a biodegradable detergent, gently clean the spillage from your artificial lawn.
3. Rinse: Thoroughly rinse the detergent and spillage away using cool, clean water.

Pets and Piles
An artificial lawn can be a real boon for pet owners as now, they don’t need to worry about pet messes killing the grass they’ve so meticulously maintained! Hygiene however, remains a concern.

Daily removal of waste is essential and this, in addition to your Four-step Maintenance Mantra below, will keep your lawn looking great. Solid waste is simple. Allow it to dry, after which it can be easily removed. Urine however, can result in smell over time. Male dogs, as well as cats will tend to leave the worst urine smells behind.

For regular urine management, we recommend using a liquid spray product specifically designed to biodegrade organic pet matter. There are a variety of such products on the market, and they are generally environmentally friendly and safe to use around both pets and children.

Traffic from people and pets will over time, result in flattened grass fibres. A simple brush against the pile and cross brushing of the grass fibres from side-to-side using a medium – stiff broom, will bring the pile of your artificial lawn back up again.

We have specialised products for use on artificial grass and we would definitely recommend such products. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions to the letter and you will enjoy both a hygienic and beautiful artificial lawn.

Your Four-step Maintenance Mantra
Clean: Remove debris and dust using a garden blower and vacuum, or broom and pan. Attend to any spills and pet waste using biodegradable detergents.
Rinse: Use a hose and cool, clean water, or a pressurised garden spray can if you are living in a water-restricted zone, to rinse dust and pollens from your lawn.
Brush: Using a medium – stiff broom, brush against the pile and across the pile to lift the fibres of your artificial lawn.
Repeat: For an artificial lawn that lasts and lasts, be sure to give it attention every day, or every week at the very least.

A solid quality artificial grass is non-negotiable if you are looking to get a few decades of service from it. At Perfect Grass we have not only sourced a range of premium quality artificial grass options that we ourselves would be happy to invest in for our own premises, but we ensure that you will get the best service from your investment, through our industry leading installation methods.

Get in touch with us today, and one of our consultants will be happy to visit your premises and advise on the best artificial grass options for your particular needs.

Call us on 021 212 9898 (Cape Town) or 010 442 0400 (Johannesburg)