Artificial Turf Winnipeg
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Did you know that artificial turf got widespread attention in 1966 when installed in Houston’s Astrodome? The product was branded as “Astroturf” (no, we’re not making that up). It was used as a viable replacement for natural grass. Grass couldn’t live long enough because of the lack of sunlight in the dome.
Fast forward decades later, and you can spot artificial turf almost anywhere, from sports stadiums to playgrounds and residential properties. Its resistance against heavy use, such as sports, has made it a popular choice for many applications. No need to worry about irrigation or trimming; artificial grass has stood the test of time.
What Is Artificial Grass?
Artificial turf (also known as artificial grass, if you want to be more specific) is made of synthetic, human-made fibers resembling real grass. Artificial grass is put together the same way as carpet; the artificial grass blades are machine-stitched onto a solid backing. A popular design you’ll see with modern applications is a brown thatch that mimics the look and texture of dirt and soil under the artificial grass.
Synthetic grass blades are typically a vibrant green that you can get in different pile heights. You’ll often see artificial turf on playground surfaces, high school football fields, soccer complexes, and golf greens. It’s also become a go-to choice for residential and commercial landscape design companies (that’s us!).
Benefits of Artificial Grass
Living in Winnipeg, you have to get used to the scorching hot summers. However, what you shouldn’t have to get used to is a dried-out, discoloured lawn. The last thing you want is to use hundreds of litres of water each year to keep your grass nice and healthy. Artificial grass is the solution to that problem.
Installing synthetic grass can yield many benefits:
Low maintenance
No water, fertilizers, pesticides, or mowing is necessary
Looks like a natural green
Highly versatile
Artificial grass can’t die or fade
No more mud
Increases property value
Pet-friendly
Heavy-duty resistance
Weed resistant
Remains pest-free
Excellent drainage properties if installed correctly
Artificial turf promotes a clean and healthy environment
Our Process
Our team starts the artificial grass installation process with a layout and design, usually on paper. We measure exactly what you need and provide you with our extensive list of turf options. Our personal favourites include the Durapet and the Everblade 50 (tell us that isn’t the coolest name you’ve ever heard for turf). We’ll show you the different grass types, colours, blade lengths, and durability. Artificial grass is designed to meet the needs of different environments. Some are better for high traffic, while others best suit the needs of low-traffic areas.
In addition, we demonstrate the different types of infill needed for specific applications. Infill is necessary to ensure that the synthetic grass blades stand up and won’t get crushed down over time. Infill is a crucial aspect of maintaining the appearance of your lawn. If you have kids that plan on roughhousing on the turf or pets that deposit their animal waste on it, the infill will make sure the grass doesn’t flatten.
Once we have a clear vision of what type of turf our clients want, we move forward with the job. We start by excavating the area, usually 10-15 cm/4-6 inches depending on the application. Then, we install the base layer using ¾ down limestone and compact in 7.6 cm/3-inch lifts to ensure it’s packed down properly. When we reach our grade, we account for 2.5 cm/1 inch of screed layer, which is a ¼ down limestone that acts as a softer bed for the artificial turf to lay on. As soft as turf can be, the extra layer helps thwart the risk of injuries for anyone that chooses to play on it.
After the turf gets laid down, we cut it to size and nail it down with ungalvanized 25.4 cm/10-inch nails along the border. We always ensure to include 25.4-30.5 cm/10-12 inches of space between them. If any seams need to be made, we’ll cut and glue them down with parchment-like paper underneath to keep it all in place. Once the nails are in, we sweep in the infill and broom it into the crevices using a power sweeper.
Best Use Cases
Aside from sports stadiums and golf greens, there are many uses for artificial turf. Some artificial grass projects may include:
Home/residential use
Playground surfaces
Dog runs/pet turf
Indoor athletic facilities
Decks and patios
Swimming pools
Commercial businesses
For years, our team at Bulger Brothers Landscape has worked on many projects. Will your lawn be one of them? If you’re interested in learning more about our artificial grass installation, we’re more than happy to connect with you. We’re proud to serve all Winnipeg clients (and their lawns). Contact us today!
