What Artificial Grass Fibre is Best for You?
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How to choose the best artificial grass for you!

It can be tricky knowing what artificial grass fibre to pick when creating your new garden… Moreover, it can be tricky just knowing what the difference is and what difference it makes. We are here to shed some light on it because the secret to the perfect artificial grass is in the fibre… And here at Cheshire Artificial Grass, we have worked hard to find the perfect artificial grass fibres for your perfect garden. So, sit back, read on, and learn all about grass fibres and why they are important.

Photo of someone looking into a special tool to see the artificial grass fibre present in that artificial grass.

Some Key phrases…

Before we get into it, the language is often confusing, especially considering not everyone is versed in all the artificial grass lingo – so, we’re going to lay down the foundations of what we mean when we’re talking about the differences in artificial grass. Artificial grass is made out of synthetic strands that we call artificial grass yarn. The yarn is then used to create fibres, which are then used to create the turf!

Artificial Grass Yarn – Fibrillated vs Monofilament

Fibrillated is the more traditional, albeit a little outdated, method of creating the yarn… What it means is that the plastic is pressed into strands and then small notches are made within the strands. When put together, it creates a honeycomb structure when pulled apart. While it works, we find that this type of yarn isn’t entirely durable. As the notches split, it can lead to thinner fibres which are not ideal for long-term use… It also loses its natural look, which we don’t want!

Enter Monofilament… This is where we create yarn by pressing the plastic into long strands and these are then coiled and combined to create a little bundle that then creates the grass pile (the little blades of grass). Monofilament has a more natural appearance and leads to the grass being easier to manipulate to create different qualities of fibres. 

Photo of artificial grass yarn on the machine ready to be turn into artificial grass fibres.

Artificial Grass Fibre – What are they exactly?

So, the yarn is the strands that are used like threads and are stitched together to create the fibres. Yarns can be made out of PP, PE, or Nylon and are threaded together in one of the above two ways. The fibres are the individual short stands you see that are the equivalent of grass blades, they can be shaped to add different qualities to the artificial turf to give a more realistic feel to the grass.

Photo of a artificial grass fibre close up using a magnifying glass.

So, now we know a little bit more about the terminology, let’s have a look into the different types of fibres there are…

Flat Fibres

Much like it says on the tin, these fibres have been left as they are and remain in their raw flat shape. The OG artificial grass fibre! This was the first in the progression of artificial grass in monofilament yarn. Where fibrillated yarn was clumpy, flat fibre, monofilament yarn creates a cleaner grass blade. This untampered fibre gives a soft and gentle texture that most resembles grass, it is best used for aesthetic purposes such as front gardens, or gardens that don’t see much use. This is because they don’t have the solid structure or spring-back technology that other fibres do that can stand the test of time… but fear not, there are plenty of fibres that can withstand lots of use… so keep reading!

Stem Fibres

Inspired by the natural look of grass blades, stem fibres have a thick vertical spine down the length of the ‘blade’. Its look and feel are very similar to flat fibres, however, stem fibres are slightly more resilient as it is slightly wider. Due to it being a little broader, it can reflect more light, meaning the grass can sometimes look a little shiny… it also means that it absorbs more heat… So, when we get those freak heatwaves here in the UK, your grass can get a little too hot and not the most pleasant thing to be standing on. This isn’t to say stem fibre doesn’t have its uses, it looks great in front gardens and works well in low-traffic areas.

Diamond Shaped Fibres (AKA Reinforced 3D Grass Fibres)

As the name suggests, the fibres are put together in a diamond shape. It’s significantly stronger than flat fibre grass, yet it is still soft to the touch and has the appearance of real grass blades. The diamond shape is a top development in grass fibres as it allows for the light to reflect in all kinds of directions, meaning you get less shine than you would from flat fibre or stem fibres. It’s perfect for natural-looking gardens or areas that might see a little bit of usage. Some say that this type of fibre gives the grass a multi-directional look, and it does, but we think using a mixture of fibres does this better! Check out Astbury, a 40mm pile of artificial grass to see what a diamond fibre looks like in action. 

C-Shaped Fibres

The C shape holds some amazing characteristics when it comes to artificial grass fibres. This is one of our favourites and its unique curved structure reflects light better than any other which results in very good realism, without slacking on performance! It’s one of the most hard-wearing fibres on the market. It has a unique spring-back technology which means that the fibres can withstand hours of use! The only downfall? It’s not the softest of grasses. It is, however, perfect for those with busy gardens, sports areas, pet owners and high-traffic areas. Check out our C-shaped artificial grasses Kingsley P.U 25mm pile artificial grass, Delamere 30mm pile artificial grass and EcoGrass 35mm pile artificial grass to see what a diamond fibre looks like in action. 

S-Shaped Fibres

The S-shaped fibre is the epitome of design. It has been designed to replicate the texture of real grass, being both soft and smooth. Unlike flat fibre, the S-shape allows for more durability due to its irregular texture and characteristics. When walked on, the fibre bounces back up… When it comes to S-shape fibres, the thicker the better, as it means it’s all the more durable and has a much greater spring-back! The uneven fibre service means that the sunlight gets scattered reducing the glossy look you can get from flat fibres and it also means it doesn’t retain as much heat! It’s great for family gardens, perfect for people with pets and works well in fairly busy to very busy areas!

V-Shaped Fibres

V-shaped fibre comes with a higher wear tolerance which means the strands will stay upright for longer! The springback technology in these types of fibres means that your grass won’t go flat over time, it does mean, however, that it is a little rough to the touch which can make the artificial grass seem… well, artificial. But it does have its uses! It is great for playgrounds and sports areas as it can withstand a beating.

W-Shaped Fibres

The fibre that is a jack of all trades, master of none. It might not shine in one particular area, but it delivers in all areas, which we respect. The W shape provides a greater surface to refract the light in different directions, reducing any shiny look and also means that the grass retains less heat – which is a big thumbs up! These fibres are mostly used and recommended to be used in places that might be hot and dry. They are best to be used in gardens that get a lot of sunshine or have multiple viewpoints.

Photo of a magnifying glass getting a close up of artificial grass fibres.

So which artificial grass fibre is right for you…

So, as you can see, fibres make a difference! The fibres are what give each turf its qualities and which one you go for is all down to personal preference and how you want to use your lawn. If we had to pick our favourite fibre we would maybe choose C-Shaped as it gives you that “freshly installed” look for longer… Something to note though is that you don’t have to just pick one fibre! We find the best way to go is to use a combination of different fibres to create the best type of turf that will meet all of your needs and look the most realistic… Something like our NATURAL 42mm pile artificial grass which includes W, Diamond and C-shaped fibres. This is the beautiful thing about artificial grass and the fibres that make it, there’s so much possibility in mixing the fibres to get the perfect look and functionality!

When picking your turf, you will now be able to better know what you’re looking for based on the fibres it uses and what the functionality of these fibres is! Whether you need to account for children, dogs, garden parties, or simply a picture-perfect garden, the fibres count.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help you get that perfect garden. 

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