Schools & Nurseries Artificial Grass Installation

The type of artificial grass you choose really depends on your needs and your budget. Most arterial grass installations for schools and nurseries require a short pile (between 23-30m) which provides a smooth surface which is versatile enough to accommodate a number of ball games but still provides enough padding to minimise the risk of fall injuries.

Artificial grass applications for schools and nurseries typically receive heavy footfall so a surface with a high pile density will extend the longevity of the playing surface with minimal wear and tear.

Recreational playgrounds designed for infants give you a wider choice. If you don’t need a smooth surface for ball games, a longer pile is more aesthetically pleasing and offers toddlers more protection in the likely event they fall over.

If you’re not sure which of our synthetic turfs will satisfy your needs, feel free to contact our knowledgeable specialists. We are happy to answer your questions and offer guidance.

The amount of time it will take us to install artificial turf installation for schools and nurseries depends on the size of the playing area you want to install and how much groundwork is required.

Our experts are typically able to cover a large surface area in 2-4 days but complex installations will take longer. For example, if there is a lot of debris to remove (i.e tree stumps) or the surface area is severely uneven, laying the foundations requires more prep work and naturally takes longer.

Regardless of the expected installation period, My Lovely Lawn aims to be as flexible and accommodating as possible. We can discuss how to minimise the disruption so that our team does not interfere with the normal running of your establishment or inconvenience your staff.

In the UK, May to September is arguably the best time of year to fit artificial grass because of the weather. Commercial artificial grass installation London is weather resistant and will not be affected by the elements but wet conditions are not conducive to the installation process. 

Snow and heavy or persistent rain naturally delay commercial fake grass installation because they damage the quality of the ground soil and can create an uneven surface - which is not ideal for sports surfaces. Dry weather provides the most optimal conditions. 

During the summer holidays is probably the best time for school and nursery installations. May to September is always the best time to install any type of artificial turf installation in the UK because there is less chance of the weather disrupting the installation process.

Installing artificial turf whilst your school or nursery is closed for the summer also eliminates disruption and inconvenience for your staff members. All we need is for the ground keeper to give us access to the installation area - whether that’s indoors or outdoors.

We prefer to avoid winter months for laying outdoor installations because snow or persistent, heavy rain can damage the quality of the ground soil. If the foundation is soaking wet, it’s harder to gain control over the levelling process and increases the risk of the playing surface being uneven. Dry weather provides us with perfect conditions to install the premium-quality grass installation you expect.

The majority of modern artificial grass manufactured in Europe is made from recycled polymers (plastics) such as polypropylene, polyethene and nylon (polyamide). Polyethene is the most commonly used material.

Most premium grasses in today’s market use a blend of polyethene and polypropylene because of their soft and durable nature. The alternative material is nylon which is naturally more hard-wearing but is abrasive - which is not ideal for children to play on.

School and nursery artificial grass installations are only long-lasting if you invest in high-quality materials. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that will help you determine whether an artificial grass sample is made from the premium materials you demand.

First of all, look where the turf is manufactured, perform a price comparison and examine the backing layer closely. Here’s why we recommend these three tests.

The majority of fake turf manufactured and shipped from China to the UK is low-quality. The colour fades after a couple of years and the fibres lose their latency.

Low-quality synthetic grass is usually reflected in the price. The cheapest suppliers do not deliver the best quality products. When you invest in cheap artificial turf, it needs replacing every few years - so, in the long run, is much more expensive to maintain your playing field and ensure it is in pristine condition for children to play on safely.

You can also determine the quality of synthetic grass by the type of fibre. High-quality piles manufactured in Europe are made with C-shaped or S-shaped fibrous which are hard wearing and have an immediate bounce back when it's been trodden on.

Safety standards are also higher in Europe than in other parts of the world. There is no guarantee that commercial grass shipped from countries that notoriously employ cheap labour strategies have the same level of regulation as European manufacturers. Reports reveal that artificial grass made in other parts of the world, including China and the USA, is made from recycled car tyres which are more likely to contain toxins and heavy metals which can be damaging to the health of children.

Lastly, and most importantly, check the backing of the astroturf. Fake grass is made with two layers of latex which provides the grass fibres with stability and enables the astroturf to maintain an upright position. If the second layer is made with an insufficient amount of latex, the fibres will not stand upright and your grass installation will look limp and woeful in a couple of years. Low-latex backings are low-quality and can be peeled apart.

Synthetic turf is fire-retardant, but not fire-proof. Whilst this means astroturf can resist exposure to high temperatures and will not burst into flames when exposed to fire, the damage will be caused. As you would expect from a product fundamentally made from plastic polymers, fake grass melts when they come into contact with fire.

The artificial grass applications we supply at My Lovely Lawn have been certified as safe by European regulators. We have hand-picked a high-quality selection of artificial turf sourced from Europe where we are assured quality standards enforce stringent safety measures.

In accordance with the EU's safety standards, substances that potentially represent a public health risk are forbidden. The substances used in the manufacturing of synthetic materials like artificial turf are deemed to be toxin-free and safe for children and pets.

You should expect an astroturf made from high-quality materials to last at least 20 years. However, it’s difficult to put a precise timeline on the longevity of an installation because various factors come into play such as the amount of use, how well you maintain the surface together with the length and density of the pile. A shorter pile length with a thicker density will naturally last longer than a longer pile length with a less density.

What we can say with confidence is that the premium artificial grass products we supply at My Lovely Lawn are high-quality and made to last. That’s why we offer a 10-year guarantee for most of our fake turf.

Fake turf is generally low maintenance. It doesn’t require fertiliser, mowing, seeding or weeding. Our tip is to clear any litter and debris from the playing areas and hose the grass down every now and again to prevent a build-up of dust.

You can lay astroturf yourself, but quality results and longevity cannot be guaranteed if the artificial grass is not installed correctly. We highly recommend leaving the installation process to experienced specialists.

At the very least, employ an experienced groundsman with knowledge of irrigation systems and laying stable foundations. If the foundations of your artificial grass are not prepped properly, it will collect water and create puddles. The artificial grass fitter also needs specialised tools, skills and knowledge of stitching mats together seamlessly otherwise your lawn will be uneven and bobbly.

Modern astroturf manufactured in Europe will not cause any damage to the environment and is deemed an eco-friendly asset for schools and nurseries because it does not need mowing, watering, weed killer or chemical fertilisers. You, therefore, avoid pollution, avoid chemicals that are potentially harmful to children’s health and reduce your carbon footprint by using less electricity and water - which is better for your ESG rating.

Installation costs for schools and nurseries depend on the dimension of the playing area and the amount of preparation work required to lay the foundations. The only way we can give you an accurate quote is to visit your premises, survey the area, draft the design and give you a quote for your preferred astroturf. Once we understand the requirements, we can accurately calculate the fitting costs.