While artificial grass lawns are an attractive option, it’s important to note that they come with a higher initial cost compared to sod. This cost is attributed to the materials used – high-quality synthetic fibers designed to mimic the look and feel of real grass and the complexity of the installation process. While it’s possible to install artificial grass yourself, professional installation is often recommended to ensure optimal results, and longevity of the lawn, and to take full advantage of the warranty that comes with most artificial grass products.
Low Maintenance
One of the main advantages of artificial grass lawns is their low maintenance requirements. Unlike sod lawns, they don’t require mowing, watering, fertilizing, or weed control. This can result in significant savings in terms of time, money, and resources. However, they do require occasional cleaning to remove debris and dust, and infill replacement to keep them looking their best and to ensure their longevity. Despite these tasks, the overall maintenance required for artificial grass lawns is significantly less compared to sod lawns.
One of the main advantages of choosing sod is its relative affordability compared to artificial turf installation. While the upfront cost of sod might be higher than seeding a lawn from scratch, it’s generally less expensive than artificial grass installation. Planting grass seed can be a cost-effective alternative for those considering more budget-friendly DIY options, though it requires more time and effort. On the other hand, professional sod installation ensures a well-laid lawn, free from gaps and weeds, right from the start.
Maintenance Needs
Maintaining a sod lawn requires a significant time commitment. Regular upkeep including mowing, watering, fertilizing, weed control, and aeration are all part of the package. Depending on the type of grass and the season, you might need to mow your lawn once a week or every other week. Weeds will need to be checked and removed regularly, and aeration is typically done once a year. Additionally, homeowners should factor in the cost of a lawnmower, fertilizers, weed killers, and potentially a sprinkler system. Despite these requirements, many find the process of tending to their lawn a rewarding experience.
Whether you’re planning to transform your backyard into a lush green landscape, create a safe play area for kids, or even install a rooftop garden, there’s one crucial question you need to answer: “How much artificial grass do I need?”
Accurate measurement is the first step towards a successful artificial grass installation. It helps you avoid unnecessary expenses and ensures that you have enough artificial turf material to cover your entire space. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you measure your space, no matter its shape:
Step 1: Gather Your Tools
Every successful project starts with the right tools. For this particular part of your DIY project, you need the following tools:
Tape measure
Piece of paper
Pen or pencil
Calculator (optional but handy)
Step 2: Sketch Your Area
Start by drawing a rough sketch of the area where you plan to install the artificial grass. This sketch will serve as a visual guide and make it easier for you to take measurements. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a work of art, but it should represent the shape of your space accurately.
Step 3: Measure the Length and Width
Next, measure the length and width of your area using your tape measure. If your space is not a perfect square or rectangle, measure the longest and widest parts to ensure full coverage. It’s always better to have a little extra than not enough. But here’s how you can measure for different spaces:
Designing a retaining wall involves more than just stacking retaining wall blocks and hoping they hold up. Whether you’re working with concrete walls, segmental retaining walls, or traditional stone walls, here are some basic steps for designing a retaining wall
1. Start with a Solid Foundation
The foundation is the backbone of any retaining wall. It must be strong enough to support the wall and resist the pressure from the soil behind it.
Preparation: Proper site preparation involves clearing debris around the construction location, grading the site, and ensuring a stable base.
Depth: The foundation should be deep enough to prevent the wall from shifting or settling. A common rule of thumb is to bury about one-eighth to one-quarter of the height of the wall below the ground.
Material: Use compacted gravel or crushed stone for the foundation, which provides excellent drainage and stability. Usually, for concrete walls, we lay reinforced concrete footing, while for stone walls, it may involve compacting a gravel base.
2. Ensure Proper Drainage
Water is one of the leading causes of retaining wall failure. To prevent this you need to relieve hydrostatic pressure that builds up behind the wall. You can do this by using:
Gravel Backfill: Use gravel or crushed stone behind the wall to allow water to drain freely.
Weep Holes: Incorporate weep holes at the base of the wall to let water escape.
Drainage Pipe: Install perforated drainage pipes behind the wall to channel water away from the structure.
Slope Management: Ensure the surrounding landscape is graded to direct surface water away from the wall.
3. Design for Stability
As we already mentioned, a retaining wall must be designed to resist the forces that push against it. To achieve this, consider using:
Wall Batter: Angle the wall slightly backward into the soil (a process known as batter) to improve stability and prevent outward movement. One common design guideline is to design a 1-inch setback for every 1 foot of wall height.
Step Back: For taller walls, consider a stepped-back design where the wall is built in multiple tiers or sections, reducing the load on each part of the wall.
Reinforcement: For retaining walls over a certain height (typically four feet), include reinforcement such as geogrid or steel rebar to strengthen the structure. This helps distribute loads evenly.
4. Consider Local Building Codes and Regulations
Adhering to local building codes is not just a legal requirement but also a best practice for ensuring your retaining wall is safe and compliant. Key considerations include:
Permits: Determine whether your project requires a building permit, especially for walls over a certain height.
Engineering Approval: For complex or large-scale walls, a civil engineer’s approval may be necessary to confirm that the design meets all safety standards.
Setbacks: Check local regulations regarding setbacks from property lines, utilities, and other structures. Following these guidelines ensures that your wall meets all legal requirements and avoids potential issues down the road.
5. Building and Reinforcing the Wall
The construction of a retaining wall can vary depending on the type of wall. For example, while building cantilever retaining walls, it’s essential to properly place rebar and pour concrete in stages to avoid cold joints. When building a segmental retaining wall, the key is to stagger the joints and ensure that each layer is level.
6. Finishing Touches
The final steps in wall construction include adding capstones, applying any desired finishes, and integrating the wall into the surrounding landscape. Consider adding aesthetic elements like lighting, water features, or decorative tiles to enhance the designed retaining wall’s appearance. These finishing touches, when done right, can heavily contribute to the wall’s overall function and durability.
Water can be one of the biggest challenges for retaining walls. Poor drainage can lead to water accumulation behind the wall, increasing the soil pressure and potentially causing the wall to collapse. To prevent this, you need to effectively manage your water. This involves integrating drainage solutions into the wall design, such as weep holes, drainage pipes, and permeable backfill materials. Please ensure you have proper drainage, especially in areas with high rainfall or where groundwater levels are significant.
A cantilever retaining wall is a relatively more complex structure. This design uses the principles of leverage to provide support and to resist overturning and sliding. The weight of the retained soil on the base slab helps to stabilize these walls and is hence believed to be an efficient solution for taller walls. Cantilever walls are often reinforced with rebar and may require geotechnical engineering expertise to ensure they meet the necessary safety factors, especially in areas with seismic activity.
Segmental Retaining Walls
Segmental retaining walls are modular systems made from interlocking concrete blocks. These walls are popular in DIY projects due to their ease of installation and flexibility in design. The blocks are designed to work together, using friction and gravity to hold back the soil. For larger or more critical applications, geogrid reinforcement may be used to provide additional stability.
Artificial grass isn’t just aesthetically green. Artificial grass saves one of the world’s most critical natural resources, water. You are helping to eliminate the amount of pesticides and chemicals that run off your property. Lastly, your purchase keeps tires out of the landfill, as our manufacturing process incorporates used tires.
If you are a parent, you know the difficulty in keeping your home dirt and mud free after playtime. With an artificial grass lawn, children can go between indoor and outdoor play with minimal mess being tracked inside.
With an artificial grass lawn, you can rest easy knowing that your children are playing on a lawn that is free of pesticide sprays, hard surfaces, and stinging insects. All of our artificial grass products are chemical-free and non-toxic. And despite popular belief, artificial grass is actually softer than natural grass. Let’s help make playtime safe and fun for your family!
Homeowners love synthetic grass because it is effortlessly green and realistic-looking. If you are looking to sell your home, artificial grass homes in Toronto are being reported as taking less time to receive an offer. If you aren’t moving, your neighbours will walk past your house wondering how your lawn stays so green and yet they never see you slaving away.
The saying goes, time is money, and money is time. COVID has taught us all that time is a precious commodity that cannot be given back. Don’t waste this summer weeding, watering, mowing and fertilizing. Don’t miss out on family time scheduling gardeners and shopping for lawn chemicals. Spend time playing on your lawn with your family this summer, make the switch to an artificial grass lawn like so many others have in Toronto. Choose a high-quality product from Feildmasters online shop to ensure you purchase grass that won’t require frequent turf repairs.
