Artificial turf is growing... (or at least demand for it)

Weeds are not an issue, nor does artificial turf suffer from hot and bone-dry summers. So no risk of a shabby, withered or damaged turf. Those who choose artificial turf in garden projects essentially have only one important consideration: the appearance.

In everyday life, we frequently let slip that looks don't matter, but in the world of artificial grass, nothing could be further from the truth. After all, if it doesn't look natural, the practical benefits of artificial grass will never win the argument. With the latest generation of artificial grass, the Dutch company EasyLawn is therefore striving for an artificial grass mat that is barely distinguishable from natural grass.

Perfection lies in imperfection

The secret to a perfect and true-to-nature artificial turf lies in imperfection. "Real grass doesn't look like a billiard sheet either," pontificates Bob Slenders of EasyLawn. "By mimicking just the imperfections of natural grass in artificial turf, we create a result that may look slightly messy, but therefore looks exactly real." 

EasyLawn's various artificial turf products therefore make ample use of different fiber heights, shapes and colors, which are also stitched and cut counter-threaded into the supporting fabric.

Durable in all situations

Artificial turf is maintenance-free and, in principle, continues to look beautiful in all weather conditions, but its durability obviously also depends on the choice of material. "By consistently using a polyurethane (PU) based backing, we are opting for a solution that not only increases the recyclability of the product, but above all ensures stronger poly adhesion, does not shrink and does not retain moisture," Slenders said. "Among other things, this makes the artificial grass more suitable for pets that want to dig, munch, poop and pee on the grass." 

In addition, PU remains flexible even at temperatures below zero, making it effortless to install even in winter. "The PU backing extends my selling season in this way," testifies garden contractor and pool specialist Bart Dankers from Olen.

Support

Of all individuals choosing artificial turf, about 39% turn directly to a garden contractor; another 29% visit a garden center. Because garden centers lack installation capacity, much of that second group ends up with the garden contractor for the time being.

"The garden centers and garden contractors are our primary partners. To guide them in the successful inclusion of artificial grass in their assortment and to bring the products to the attention of end users, we provide a total package of service and support. A complete product range, short delivery times of up to three days, generous trade margins and the necessary guarantees form the essential basis of this, but we also provide, for example, calculations, leads and the necessary promotional material, including brochures, displays and a samples folder."

"In other words, it is not exclusively about beautiful and natural-looking grass," Slenders concludes, "but also about the optimal relationship with and support from our partners."