Home artificial turf installations deliver a number of benefits. A little-known fact is that when artificial grass is in cold climates, it performs even better than standard grass which suffers damage from frost.
With the right care and proper installation, artificial grass can survive in any type of weather, including cold climates and wet weather conditions like we have in the UK.
To make sure your artificial lawn is suitable for cold claims speak with an experienced and knowledgable artificial grass installer.
Is Artificial grass OK in Winter?
The main concern for artificial grass owners in the winter is that it will freeze in the winter. That is not strictly true. However, artificial grass in cold climates is not averse to frost and the fibres can snap if you walk on it whilst it is frosted over.
Snow, on the other hand, is fine for artificial grass. So long as there is no ice, your children can play in the snow as much as they like. Just make sure the kids don’t pile it up too high, as the condensed snow can form ice at the bottom of the pile.
How do you take care of fake grass in the winter?
There are steps you can take to keep your artificial grass healthy in cold climates.
Firstly, allow snow or ice to melt naturally. That way, you can ensure you do not accidentally damage the artificial grass fibres. If there are build-ups of snow, then you can remove these before they turn into ice.
Remove any remnants of snow and ice by hand or with a plastic shovel. Don’t use metal spades as they can sever the strands.
Also, avoid using chemicals on your artificial lawn to defrost it. They can bleach it, and caustic chemicals can deliver irreversible damage.
Instead, get some salt from your cupboard and spread it thinly over the grass. Salt lowers the freezing temperature of water to -2 Celsius, meaning it will freeze much less. Use salt sparingly to avoid a build-up blocking the drainage holes.
If you need to put heavy items on your artificial grass during the winter, the strands constantly freezing and defrosting lying down can make it hard for them to stand back up again. By making sure that heavy items don’t remain in one spot for too long and that you brush the strands back upright after you have moved the item, then you can keep your artificial grass standing up.
Home artificial turf installation tips for winter
Winter and autumn are great months to conduct your home artificial turf installation. If the ground is not completely frozen, it will be much softer than in summer. A muddier surface is more workable for an artificial grass installer, and you should not see your installation delayed by bad weather.
An artificial lawn does need to be at the right temperature to be installed: between 5 Celsius and 19 Celsius. If your climate means reaching 5 Celcius is unlikely during winter, you can wait for a sunny day.
Leave your artificial grass out in the winter sun for a while, and it will warm up to the standard temperature naturally. If you unroll it in the morning and leave it to dry in the sun, it should be ready by mid-afternoon by the latest.
When glueing down your artificial lawn, you should be extra patient when waiting for the glue to dry. It will take longer in cold temperatures, and extra time must be allowed. A strong join could last upwards of 20 years, so it is well worth the effort.
Damp and cold can also affect the strength of your joining tape. Wet joining tape will not produce a secure bond, and your grass sections may come apart later. Be sure to only get out the joining tape when you need it, and hold off using it until any rain stops.
What happens to turf when it snows?
Under light snowfall, your artificial grass will be fine, and you shouldn’t worry about it being damaged. It will sit there for a while and then melt into your drainage system, leaving no damage.
If your artificial grass is not clean, snowfall can get slushy. Any organic matter can turn into mulch, which is nearly impossible to get out of the artificial grass. So if you see any snow on the forecast, clear up any leaves and let the children know they are in for an exciting day.
With any debris out of the way, snow is just frozen water. It has no damaging properties or chemicals. No matter how much snowfall it comes under, the vibrant colour of your artificial grass will not be changed.
Does turf hold up in the snow?
Snow can be heavy, and it will press down onto your artificial grass. Often, the weight will temporarily flatten it. Don’t worry, though, because the change isn’t permanent. Once the snow has melted and drained into the membrane, the grass will not have any weight on it. Typically, it will spring back up by itself, but you may want to use a broom to brush it up.
Is artificial grass weather resistant?
Artificial grass is resilient, much more so than regular grass. Sadly though, it is not perfect. Heavy snowfall and extremely low temperatures can damage it, and heavy rain can flood it. Keep an eye on the forecast throughout winter. Cover over your artificial grass with a tarpaulin if you see that a patch of bad weather is coming. This will protect it so that you can enjoy your garden properly in summer.
An easy winter of artificial grass maintenance
Everybody has looked out over an ugly lawn after winter. They have seen brown spots of dead grass and more frost damage than they can count. These horrible days of early Spring are gone with artificial grass. It truly is a low-maintenance alternative without sacrificing any of the beauty of a good lawn.
If you’re considering an artificial lawn, look out for AstroTurf for sale that is suitable for cold climates. For more advice speak with one of our experienced artificial grass installers.
