OMO: artificial lawn recommendations

Morning org,
Over the past couple of weeks I've been steadily digging up our "lawn" it had spent 2-3 years untended and turned into a bed of dandelions and moss in reality.

I've gotten to the point where it is clear now and I have 3 options, break the ground further and seed it (possibly a bit late in the year now anyway), prep and lay turf on it or (my preferred option) lay some of that fake grass and never have to worry about it (well not for c.5 years anyway) needing mowing or maintaining.

Has anyone had any experience? recommendations of brands or suppliers, tips for laying, horror stories.... any or all of the above greatly appreciated. I'm googling my little fingers off but I'd be a fool not to ask the org as so many times you lot have proved invaluable

[Bluepete]

There are a few fake grass lawns around here. They look great all year 'round and need little maintenance. They are all very expensive though and feel rough as a bear's ****. I wouldn't like to picnic on it! They need a solid edge - block, paving slabs etc which get weeds growing through. This all makes it very expensive. One neighbour needed his front lawn re-laying 'cos the hardcore sank and it made a big puddle in the middle. No idea on specific companies, I'm sure like many things, you get what you pay for.

If it was me, having seen your garden photo's, I'd rotovate it, rake it out and turf it with good quality grass then look after it. Natural is always best!

Pete

[dizzyblonde]

Funnily enough, my brother is involved in a small company supplying artificial grass.

http://bosscoe.com/Home_Page.html

Some of his examples are really soft!

[squirrel_hunter]

Concrete. Then paint it green.

Anything else I can help with?

I saw some the other day that you could only tell wasn't real because it was too perfect. soft too.

Can't help with details but it is out there.

I have artificial grass at my house in Manchester...and have had it for at least 4 years. It cost me about £1k supplied and fitted by the experts and having seen the process I wasn't prepared to do it! My garden is a strange shape and so I paid for a square space even though I needed less.

Like you I decided I couldn't be asked looking after the lawn and trying to fill the patches that appeared.

Mine looks like new still, it can be bleached if you want to wash it and apart from pulling out a couple of weeds that come out now and then, there is nothing else you need to do.

My approach to choosing was get some samples to understand thickness, color and feel. Look at warranty periods and speak to the companies to understand their approach to installing it.

I have never regretted having it fitted!