Lenotre Landscapes & Surfacing
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Pale stepping-stone path set in artificial grass with gravel gaps, leading to white painted steps and raised beds
Artificial grass

Artificial grass installers in Dorset and Hampshire

We lay artificial grass across Dorset, Hampshire, south Wiltshire and West Sussex on a properly built base: dug out, compacted, levelled and edged. That base is what keeps a lawn flat, stops weeds coming through and lets rain drain away.

  • Dug-out, compacted base
  • Weed membrane and firm edging
  • Pet-friendly grasses available
  • Paths, patios and beds done too
Get a free quote 03300 433699

Get your free quote

Tell us a little about the job and we will call you to arrange a site visit.

Free site visit and written quote. No obligation.

  • Free site visitMeasured and quoted in writing
  • Fully insuredPublic liability cover on every job
  • Itemised quotesEvery stage priced separately
  • Bournemouth basedWorking across the south
How we lay it

What goes under an artificial lawn

The grass itself is the easy part. Whether it still looks good in three years depends on what it sits on.

  1. Dig out the old turf and soil to a depth that suits your ground.
  2. Edging in timber, steel or block, so the grass has something firm to fix to.
  3. Sub-base laid and compacted, so the lawn doesn't sink where you walk.
  4. Levelling layer of fine stone or sharp sand, screeded smooth.
  5. Weed membrane, then the grass rolled out, joined, trimmed and fixed at the edges.
  6. Kiln-dried sand brushed in where the grass needs it, and the pile brushed up.
Tiered garden with a porcelain path, strips of artificial grass, white render walls and a glass-fronted garden room
Before and after

A front garden turned into a lawn and a drive

Artificial grass often goes in alongside other work. On this front garden we dug the whole area out, laid a block paving parking space and finished the rest in artificial grass behind a curved edge.

Thinking about real turf instead? See garden landscaping, where we compare the two.

Before: front garden rebuilt with a block paving space and artificial grass lawnAfter: front garden rebuilt with a block paving space and artificial grass lawnBeforeAfter
Is it right for you?

When artificial grass makes sense

Artificial grass suits gardens where real lawn struggles or isn't worth the upkeep: shady corners, small courtyards, dog runs, steep or awkward strips, and families who want a green lawn all year without mowing. It also works for balconies and over old patios.

It isn't the cheapest option at the start, and it gets warm in full summer sun. Real turf costs less to lay and stays cool, but needs mowing, feeding and watering. We'll tell you honestly which suits your garden.

We often lay artificial grass as part of a bigger job, with a new patio, paths, raised beds and walls, or a driveway at the front.

Choosing the grass

What to look for in the grass itself

Cheap grass looks like carpet and flattens within a year. These are the things that make the difference, and we bring samples so you can feel them:

  • Pile height. 25 to 30mm looks neat and is easy to keep clean. 35 to 40mm looks fuller and softer.
  • Brown thatch. Curly brown fibres at the base make it look like real lawn, not a green mat.
  • UV-stable fibres that keep their colour in full sun.
  • A drained backing with holes all over, so rain and dog wee go straight through.
  • Pets and children. A tough, springy fibre for dogs, and a shock pad under play areas.
  • Shade. It stays green under trees and against north walls, where turf thins out.
Small garden with dark grey paving, artificial grass, closeboard fencing and a raised bed
On site

A Bournemouth garden

Porcelain paving and a strip of artificial grass, filmed the day the garden was in use.

Artificial grass and porcelain paving in a Bournemouth garden

Where we lay artificial grass

Dorset

Hampshire

South Wiltshire

West Sussex

FAQs

Artificial grass questions

How much does artificial grass cost to lay?
Most of the cost is the groundwork, not the grass. Digging out, the sub-base, edging and the grass itself all go into the price, along with how easy the access is. We measure up and give you a written figure, with the grass and the base work priced on separate lines.
Can you lay artificial grass straight onto soil?
We don’t. Grass laid on soil dips, ripples and holds puddles within a year or two. We dig out, lay and compact a sub-base, add a fine levelling layer and a weed membrane, then fix the grass to a firm edge.
Is artificial grass good for dogs?
Yes, if it drains properly. A free-draining sub-base lets wee run straight through, and it can be rinsed down. Some grasses are made for pets, with a tougher pile and better drainage holes, and we can show you samples.
Will artificial grass drain in heavy rain?
It drains through holes in the backing, so the base underneath decides how well. On clay ground, which holds water, we dig deeper and use a more open sub-base so water can get away.
How long does artificial grass last?
A good quality grass on a proper base lasts for many years. Most manufacturers give their own warranty on the grass, and we pass that on with the job.
Can it go over a patio or concrete?
Yes. On a sound concrete or paved base we lay a shock pad under the grass for a softer feel and fix it round the edges. The base has to drain or be laid to a slight fall.

Get a price for artificial grass

We'll measure up, bring grass samples and send a written quote with the groundwork and the grass priced separately.

Get a free quote 03300 433699
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