Artificial turf or real grass – which option is best near your swimming pool?
The big debate of real v’s artificial – we’re talking all things grass; and I’ve provided some points of consideration for both.
If you’re anything like me, you love the look and feel of real grass under your feet and that ‘spring’ smell of freshly cut grass, some of our childhood memories will include running barefoot in the summer playing with neighbourhood friends in their yards. But is having real grass around your new concrete swimming pool a good idea, or is artificial turf a better choice?
From the research I’ve done – it all seems to point in one direction – artificial all the way! Here’s some things to keep in mind when making landscape decisions for your new swimming pool – but like all things when installing a new pool, it all comes down to personal choice.
Splish Splash!
Let’s start with the obvious – pools are made for fun and splashing about, kids will be in and out of your swimming pool for hours on end – all that pool water must go somewhere and if you have real grass adjoining your swimming pool coping tiles, that water is going straight onto your perfectly manicured lawns, creating puddles of mud and the potential for slipping on wet, slippery grass.
Chemical Considerations
The somewhat tricky balance of chemicals works for both swimming pools and grass. Chemicals and salt from your pool water splashing onto your grass or nearby plants, can harm or kill them very quickly – you can opt to hose them off every evening to help break down and dissolve these chemicals, so they are less harmful to your adjoining greenery, however, not only does this add more time to your pool maintenance, it’s not always guaranteed to dissipate and is also more water and money being wasted.
Likewise, chemicals from the maintenance of your grass could accidentally end up being sprayed in your swimming pool water or enter it from little feet running around on the grass, unbalancing your swimming pool water – sometimes in a matter of hours.
How did our parents do it?
The areas around swimming pools are generally high traffic areas with all of that running and jumping, natural grass will inevitably begin to wear in these areas, as kids we had no idea of the maintenance that went into maintaining a beautiful lawn, as adults we now know just how much hard work it can be to maintain this space – time much better spent enjoying your new concrete swimming pool with your family and friends!
Keep it out of the pool
When mowing your grass, no matter how cautious you are, clippings are likely to end up in the pool – potentially clogging drains and filters, and if left unattended in your concrete swimming pool, garden matter can stain your swimming pool surface, not to mention grass and mud sticking to wet little feet that are running in and out of the house looking for cold drinks or icy-poles!
The low down on the low maintenance
Artificial turf is really a set and forget product, which, when laid professionally will look great for many years to come. It will always look evenly coloured and is super low maintenance, you might need to occasionally pull a stray weed out or give it a quick hose off from dust and loose debris perhaps once a month to keep it looking clean, but that’s about it.
Artificial turf has a permeable backing, so any pool water splashed onto it will quickly drain away so you won’t be left with muddy puddles around your beautiful new pool and it doesn’t become slippery when it’s wet – so the safety of children, pets and guests is well worth consideration.
A ‘hot’ consideration
If your artificial grass is in direct sunlight, like concrete, natural stone or tile surrounds, it will heat up under our glorious Aussie sun, however it does cool quickly when in shade or after a quick hose off, the consideration of putting up a permanent shade option over the area is an easy solution and will provide a nice cool space to relax – without the little bugs that come with natural grass.
Artificial all the way!
The debate is clear for me – while I love the look and feel of natural grass, it is not something that I would use around my swimming pool coping – I would much prefer to be enjoying my pool with friends and family, rather than maintaining lawn.
Contact the friendly team at Bali Pools, your premium concrete pool builder on the Gold Coast on 07 5576 0900 for a free quote, or for more inspiration, head to our gallery to get some inspiration and let us help you make your dreams of owning a beautiful backyard oasis, a reality.
Happy Swimming!
