Do you need underlay for artificial grass?

While it may not be strictly essential, installing underlay before fitting artificial grass can be a worthwhile option with multiple benefits. From safety considerations to extra comfort, if you’re looking to explore the additional support that underlay can provide for your artificial lawn, read on for some helpful information.

Additional safety from using an underlay with artificial grass

Artificially fashioned grass can have a number of different applications, from lawns for residences and poolside turf in fitness centres, to school play areas used by children. While manmade grass solutions are designed to be soft, installing a foam underlay can form extra protection during play. Foam underlays are designed to be compliant with the internationally accepted and school-recognised Head Injury Criterion (HIC), which assesses the risk of head injuries occurring. With extra cushioned support in place, you can provide your family members, pupils or customers with additional safety during use.

Putting an extra spring in your step

While the latest artificial lawn options have been developed to provide the same comfort levels supplied by natural grass, customers seeking to ramp up this effect may consider the installation of an underlay. A dedicated underlay can act as a shock pad and deliver an even softer, springy experience when enjoying your lawn.

Installing an underlay on a pre-existing patio

Where you are planning to place your artificial lawn can be a factor on whether or not you decide to use underlay. If you have a concrete, stone, or tile patio currently in position, digging it up to position your lawn can sometimes incur additional time and costs. When you’re looking for a less expensive option with guaranteed results, underlay could be the answer. Instead of unearthing your patio, you can simply fit underlay on top of the paving before installing your new artificial lawn.

Creating a more attractive lawn

If you have chosen artificial grass because you would like to create the perfect lawn on your property, you will find choosing to fit an underlay can be exceptionally beneficial. Installing artificial grass on either a natural surface or manmade option like decking or patio slabs can result in unsightly ridges forming over time, because of the ground or deck edges pushing through. However, with a well-designed foam layer in between you can ensure your lawn will remain undisturbed and perfectly preserved.

A simpler installation process to complete

Finally, a standard artificial turf installation will require a wheelbarrow, rake, shovel and vibrating plate compactor. Not only can this equipment be costly, it can also involve harder work in operation. When you opt for a foam underlay below your artificial grass, none of these tools will be required for an installation. Rather than hours of shovelling and multiple trips with a wheelbarrow, a foam underlay can be unrolled and fitted into position in far less time. Even if you are not tackling the task yourself, you will find professional contractors installing your artificial lawn with underlay included, will have the work completed far more quickly, causing you less inconvenience.

How do you install carpet on stairs?

While taking advantage of professional help is always a wise move when you want carpet fitted around your home, if you’re handy about the house and want to install some on your stairs, read on for some useful advice before you get started.

Tools for the task

To fit your stair carpeting you’ll require a staple gun and staples, a cutter, and a metal ruler. You’ll also need a dedicated carpet tucker and stretcher tool. Many of these items can be bought together in a single kit for fitting carpet to cut back costs.

Stage one – Gripper rods

Reusing the existing gripper rods if they’re in working condition, or fitting new ones when damage has occurred, is the first step. The rods must be placed on either side of every tread as well as at the back of every tread at the base of the next consecutive step.

Stage two - Underlay

Begin by adding a piece of underlay on your first step, place it within the grippers leaving a little overlap. Staple the underlay down and then trim any unwanted excess. Repeat the process for every step.

Stage three – Cut and fit your carpet

If you have a short staircase, you may be able to use a single piece of carpet. For longer ones, use shorter lengths and join them.

Measure out the first piece of carpet. Begin with four steps’ worth and, using your ruler for a straight edge, cut the amount you need. Now you can staple it into place - begin with the front edge of your length of carpet and staple it to the base of your first step, ensuring it is entirely level with your floor.

Employing the fitting tool, push the carpet against your gripper rods at the point where the first step meets the second and force it into the corner. You can use your knee for additional pressure and run the carpet tucker along the step top from the front of your first tread to the second step’s base. Take time to make sure you have a snug fit.

Continue this process until you reach the end of your first length of carpet and cut the material at the steps base before it ends to get rid of unwanted excess. Now you can start your next length – beginning on a full step you’ll be able to hide the join at the bottom of the step’s base.

Stage four - Joining up your carpet

Measure and cut your next length and ensure the joins are perfectly in line. If a pattern is present, make sure it matches from the first to second length of carpet. You can then employ the carpet stretcher and tucker as you did before, and carry on carpeting your stair until the job is complete.

While carpeting a staircase is not the most complicated task, if an installation isn’t performed correctly, it can lead to your carpet wearing out over time. If you are at all unsure about the process, don’t hesitate to take advice from professional fitter.

Five reasons to choose wood flooring

Wood flooring is increasingly popular for a variety of reasons. Here are five of its benefits:

1. Durable

Wood flooring lasts a long time, provided it is maintained. Waxed wood needs regularly polishing and re-waxing to strengthen it, whereas non-waxed wood that’s worn can be sanded and refinished to restore it to a near new condition.

2. Easy to clean

Wood floors don’t need cleaning with a wet mop or steam cleaning. Dry sweeping will keep the floor clean and tidy, and stains can be removed with a little effort.

3. Environmentally friendly material

Wood is a natural material and is environmentally friendly, providing the wood is sourced from sustainable forests. Wood floors contain no harmful chemicals, and at the end of a floor’s life, it can be recycled and used in a variety of products.

4. Suitable for allergy sufferers

Wood is a non-porous material that doesn’t trap fungus or bacteria that can be harmful to allergy sufferers. It is also much better than carpets for those who suffer allergic reactions.

For those concerned about catching a virus, sweeping a wood floor once or twice a day removes viruses.

5. Attractive look

Natural wood looks beautiful. Wood flooring is available in a variety of shades, from light to dark, and can either be left in its natural colour or stained. Wood also complements most decor styles – grey stained wood suits a modern contemporary look, or for a traditional style room, choose natural oak.

Many people opt for wood flooring in their Chester homes, and with the wide variety of styles and finishes, there’s a wood floor to suit everyone.

Artificial grass installed as part of career change

A woman looking to change for career from working in the media to fitness instruction has used artificial grass to create an outdoor gym.

Tracey Lloyd worked for 25 years in radio and television, but in 2017 she decided she needed a change of career. She enrolled on an outdoor course in 2017 and gained a first qualification in fitness, followed by a boxing fitness training certificate.

She decided to open a fitness training business early in 2020. She developed a website and was planning a big launch of her new career, but this had to be postponed due to the virus lockdown. She took the opportunity of being at Wallington, London home to transform her garden into an outdoor gym space. Decking and garden furniture were replaced with a spin bike, weights and trampoline, and artificial grass was laid so that the gym could be used in all weathers.

Lloyd described the appeal of her gym business:

“The Garden Gym is personal, one-to-one, tailored training. It is outdoor fitness, but it is private. I like to think of The Garden Gym as a hybrid mix of outdoor fitness and traditional gym space. Not everyone wants to train in the park as many people feel self-conscious."

People located anywhere in the country can enjoy the benefits of an artificial grass fitness space. Replacing the lawn with artificial grass in a Chester garden, and adding the appropriate gym or sports equipment, makes for a low maintenance, all-weather home gym and sports area.

Superyacht owners want handmade carpets

Superyachts are fitted with many luxury items, as owners often want the best of everything – including the carpets.

German carpet designer Oliver Treutlein specialises in bespoke carpets for high-end, luxury yachts. Many of the carpets he creates are handmade and unique to each superyacht he is commissioned to design for. He told the Superyacht Times:

“There is no limit to what we can do with a carpet design and so each project becomes very unique and memorable.”

Treutlein recently went to Australia, where he collected leaves in the Australian Bush to incorporate into a unique vegetarian carpet. He also designs hand-woven carpets using natural yarns, such as silk and virgin wool, from New Zealand.

Treutlein’s yacht carpets often involve at least three weeks or tufting work. They are made to last and are sustainable. After designing and making the carpets, Treutlein and his team supervise the fitting to make sure that every carpet fits exactly.

Many North Wales residents who live near the coast own yachts, but few own superyachts costing millions of pounds. If a yacht has a cabin or salon area, carpets are a good floor covering. They make areas comfortable and provide a non-slip surface, and they can also help to reduce engine noise. Wool carpets are ideal for yachts, as they are strong and easy to keep clean.

People take great care in choosing carpets for their North Wales homes, and the same care is taken when choosing luxury floor coverings for their yachts.