How Much is Artificial Grass?
So what's the big deal about artificial grass anyway?
Artificial grass is material that is made of synthetic, man-made fibres that look like real grass.
Let's get straight into it...
For this section, we'll outline the price range for installing artificial grass, while looking at the average cost for various types of artificial grass, including polypropylene and nylon.
The main an most obvious benefit of having artificial grass laid is that it's almost maintenance-free!
These price ranges are averages for the UK as a whole and you should expect them to vary depending on the supplier you purchase from.
Let's take a look at the average costs then...
To install polypropylene artificial grass, the cost will come to around £55 to £60 per m². To have a polyethylene product installed will likely cost you between £55 and £65 per m².
Nylon artificial grass installation is priced at about £60 to £70 per m². Costs will vary depending on where in the UK you are situated.
Artificial Grass Prices
We will now break down the costs involved in having artificial grass installed. This section will look at the labour and installation costs associated with having different types and sizes of artificial grass installed by a gardener/artificial grass installer.
Broadly speaking, the cost of an installation will likely cost between £55 and £75 per m². The labour costs will likely end up between £300 and £500 although this can increase depending on the size of the installation. The table below shows the estimated installation costs for different types and sizes of artificial grass.
| Type of Grass | Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene | 10 square metres | £550 to £650 |
| Polypropylene | 25 square metres | £1400 to £1500 |
| Polypropylene | 50 square metres | £2500 to £3000 |
| Polypropylene | 100 square metres | £4000 to £5500 |
| Polyethylene | 10 square metres | £550 to £700 |
| Polyethylene | 25 square metres | £1400 to £1600 |
| Polyethylene | 50 square metres | £2500 to £3250 |
| Polyethylene | 100 square metres | £4000 to £6000 |
| Nylon | 10 square metres | £600 to £700 |
| Nylon | 25 square metres | £1500 to £1750 |
| Nylon | 50 square metres | £2500 to £3500 |
| Nylon | 100 square metres | £4500 to £6500 |
Artificial Grass Supply Costs
In this section, we will break down the fake grass cost based on supplies. We will look at the retail costs of different types of artificial grass. These costs exclude any installation expenses.
Polypropylene Grass Supply Cost
The cost of artificial grass that is polypropylene based will end up between £10 and £15 per m². Polypropylene is relatively cheap as the best priced artificial grass to choose from. It is also quite popular.
Polyethylene Grass Supply Cost
Polyethylene artificial grass will likely cost around £10 to £20 per m². This type of artificial grass tends to fit into the mid-range of costs when it comes to artificial grass products.
Nylon Grass Supply Cost
Generally, the price of artificial grass which is nylon-based will cost around £15 to £25 per m². Nylon is the most expensive type of artificial grass although aspects of this grass including its durability and strength justify the higher costs involved.
What are the Additional Costs of Artificial Grass?
We will now look at the additional costs which you may accumulate after the cost of laying artificial grass.
Adding Garden Fencing Cost
You will need to budget for around £20 to £80 per panel. How much you pay will depend on if you wish to have high-end timber panels installed.
Garden Maintenance Cost
Garden maintenance will cost you somewhere in the range of £20 to £110 per hour. The majority of garden maintenance work will come with a two-hour minimum fee.
Paint Exterior of House Cost
For a terraced house with 2-3 bedrooms, you can expect to pay between £550 and £750 to have the exterior of your home painted, for a semi-detached house with 3 bedrooms the cost will likely come to about £700 to £1000 while for a 3-4 bedroom detached house, the cost will probably end up around £900 to £1500.
Outside Lighting Cost
The cost of having an outside security light installed will vary depending on where you live and the type of light you wish to have installed. To have a single 30-watt security light installed, it will cost you somewhere in the range of £125 to £150 and involve about 1-2 hours of work.
To get a PIR motion sensor light installed into the mains, you can expect to pay £150 to £200 and it will likely take 2-4 hours to be installed.
Outside Heating Cost
To have an electric patio heater installed will cost you between £175 and £350.
How Long Does It Take to Install Artificial Grass?
We will now provide a timeframe of how long it should take for artificial grass to be installed. For this section, we will look at the different lengths of time it takes to install various sized areas of artificial grass.
As shown in the table below, to install artificial grass in an average garden of about 100 square metres will take about 3-4 days. For smaller gardens it may take between 1 and 3 days while for large gardens it can take anywhere from 4 days to a week.
| Size of Garden | Duration to Install |
|---|---|
| 10 square metres | 1 day |
| 25 square metres | 1 day |
| 50 square metres | 1-2 days |
| 75 square metres | 2-3 days |
| 100 square metres | 3-4 days |
| 150 square metres | 4-5 days |
| 200 square metres | 5-7 days |
The duration will vary depending on the size of the garden, type of artificial grass and other factors (e.g. such as how accessible your garden is).
Types of Artificial Grass
For this section, we will discuss the different types of artificial grass in further detail. We will look at the average labour price for each type, what each type of artificial grass is, when it should be used as well as list the pros and cons of each type.
Labour costs are separate to the artificial grass installation price with a labour fee often set as a separate fee. Installation expenses will increase depending on how large a space you need for the artificial grass to cover.
Polypropylene Grass Cost
This type of artificial grass is made from polypropylene which is a thermoplastic polymer. This type tends to be the cheapest. In terms of the labour costs involved with having polypropylene artificial grass installed, the labour cost will come to about £300 to £500 for a 10 square metre installation.
Since this artificial grass type is not as durable as polyethylene or nylon, it is most suited for use in small spots rather than to cover large garden spaces.
Pros
- Cheaper than other types of artificial grass.
- Ideal for filling in small spots of a lawn.
Cons
- Unsuitable for covering a full garden space.
- The least durable option.
Polyethylene Grass Cost
Polyethylene is an artificial grass type that is quite convincing and is still cheaper than nylon although it is more expensive than polypropylene. Polyethylene is a common, linear plastic. This type of artificial grass will likely involve labour costs of about £300 to £550.
It’s perfect to use for covering your garden so long as you aren’t expecting excessive wear to be imposed on the grass such as from children, animals or/and continuous physical activity.
Pros
- Not as expensive as nylon artificial grass.
- More durable than polypropylene.
- Can be used to cover a full garden in many circumstances.
Cons
- Not ideal for a garden that experiences heavy foot-traffic.
- Less durable in comparison to nylon artificial grass.
Nylon Grass Cost
Nylon artificial grass is the strongest and most durable type. Nylon is a family of synthetic polymers. The blades of this type of artificial grass are particularly strong and stiff. The labour costs involved in the installation of nylon artificial grass will likely come to about £400 to £600.
Nylon is ideal for covering a full garden especially those which are susceptible to wear and tear from heavy foot-traffic.
Pros
- Suitable for covering large gardens including those with plenty of foot-traffic.
- Strong and durable.
Cons
- Most costly option.
Artificial Grass Maintenance Costs
Over time, your artificial grass may need repairs and maintenance. We will explore the prices involved in such repairs and maintenance in this section as well as looking at the types of repairs that may be needed among other subtopics.
Some of the best ways to maintain your artificial grass are by keeping it clean and brushing it. It will likely cost you between £15 and £30 to buy an appropriate brush.
Problems with artificial grass might include it being too loose due to an incorrect fitting, small tears, burn marks such as from sparks or embers from a barbecue or as a result of cigarette butts, rips and tears and chemical exposure damage. In such scenarios, repairs may be necessary. Repairs may cost between £20 and £110 per hour.
The total price for repairs and maintenance may vary depending on the type of grass in question, the size of the area, how accessible your garden is and where exactly in the UK you’re situated. Of course, this does not apply to all expenses such as purchasing an artificial grass brush.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove Artificial Grass?
We will now discuss the average prices involved in having fake grass removed. The removal of artificial grass cost per square metre will likely come to about £10 to £20. For a 25 m² garden, the labour costs will come to about £300 to £500. Waste removal will set you back around £100 to £200.
Once more, these prices may vary depending on factors such as where in the UK you live and how accessible your garden is.
FAQs
Q: How thick is artificial grass?
A: Most artificial grass will have a thickness of between an inch and 1.5 inches.
Q: What do you put under artificial grass?
A: It is best to place compacted sharp sand beneath artificial grass.
Q: What is the best artificial grass?
A: Nylon is the strongest and most durable type of artificial grass.
Q: What sand do I put on top of artificial grass?
A: Silica sand is arguably the best type of sand to add on top of artificial grass. It is popular and widely recommended.
Q: How long does artificial grass last?
A: Artificial grass could last anywhere from 10-25 years. Its life duration may fall before or after this range depending on how well looked after it is. Regular maintenance can help prolong the lifespan of your artificial grass fitting.
Sources
- https://neograss.co.uk/what-is-the-cost-of-artificial-grass/
- https://www.artificiallawn.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-artificial-grass-cost/
- https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/artificial-grass/article/how-to-buy-the-best-artificial-grass
- https://www.clsscotland.com/long-artificial-grass-take-install/
- https://www.grass247.co.uk/artificial-grass/thickness/40mm-thick-artificial-grass.html
- https://www.artificialgrass-direct.com/diy-installation/
- hthttps://newgrass.com/synthetic-grass-lifespan-long-will-lawn-last/
