For many, venturing into the world of artificial grass can be daunting simply because of the range of unique terms used. Phrases like fibre shape, pile density, and backing material are all unfamiliar to the average homeowner, yet they play a major role in selecting the artificial grass suitable for your garden.

The Artificial Lawn Company team has put together the necessary information to create a comprehensive resource covering pile height. The following guide details everything about pile height, including what it is, why it matters and how to select the right one for your garden.

 What is Pile Height?

The definition of pile height is the measured height from the carpet or artificial grass backing to the top of the surface fibres. In short, this means that the pile height is the total height of the fibres extending from the artificial grass backing. One thing other suppliers do to try and make their products seem better value is including the backing thickness within this measurement.

Usually, pile height is measured in millimetres. Depending on the purpose of your outdoor space, different pile heights can be useful in different settings. With height varying from as small as 10mm to almost 200mm, there is a wide range of options available. Most household gardens tend to opt for pile heights of between 25 and 45mm. At Artificial Lawn Company, our artificial grass range also sticks mostly to these figures.

What Makes Pile Height Important?

Pile height is an essential consideration for anyone looking to install artificial grass because of the many aspects it influences. To understand the best pile height for artificial grass, we need to weigh the following points.

Aesthetics and Looks

Pile height has a notable effect on how good your lawn looks. So, what is the best pile height for artificial grass? Whilst perfectly even, long, lush synthetic grass can look beautiful and realistic, it can start to look a lot less attractive if your lawn’s pile is too high. After being trodden on, the flattening effect will cause it to lose its natural appearance. Therefore, for lawns that expect a high level of footfall, a longer pile height may not be a good idea unless you don’t mind tending to it more with a stiff brush. This can be mitigated by using some form of infill to help the lawn spring back.

On the flip side, extremely short pile heights can make your garden or outdoor space appear more like a sports surface rather than a grassy area for relaxation. Achieving the result you desire is highly dependent on your pile height choice.

Suitability of Purpose

Different pile heights lend themselves to different purposes. If you intend to play sports in your garden or artificial lawn space, select grass that is suitable for sports demands. For example, bowls will require a very different grass surface compared to football

However, if your lawn is going to be strictly for display purposes, you should be able to get away with a longer pile height, as it won’t be disturbed regularly and will best imitate artificial grass.

Durability

There’s no doubt that synthetic turf is extremely hard-wearing and durable from a material perspective. Our artificial grass is designed to withstand all kinds of stresses, from extreme weather conditions to high usage. However, it is important to note that if used in a way these are not designed for, all artificial lawns can begin to show signs of wear and tear after some time.

Pile height is important in this regard because longer fibres may flatten more quickly. With this in mind, it’s worth sticking to shorter synthetic grass if your intent is to use your artificial lawn regularly especially with football mad kids and large pets. This way, it will keep on looking good for longer.

Feeling Underfoot

Touch is one of the five important senses, and it is important to consider the sensation our feet will feel through our artificial grass. Different types of flooring offer different senses of comfort, e.g., a muddy puddle feels different from a soft carpet.

Pile height plays a major role in the feel of artificial grass. Longer fibres offer greater cushioning and flexibility, resulting in a softer and more enjoyable touch when pressed upon. A shorter pile height usually. Less soft underneath due to less materials being present.  This plays an important role if children utilise the surface, as longer fibres can absorb a little bit more energy during falls or accidents, especially when combined with various infills such as kiln-dried sand.

Maintenance

Finally, we should discuss maintenance. Many opt for an artificial grass surface because of the decreased maintenance that a synthetic lawn offers. Regardless of the pile height of artificial grass, maintenance time is significantly decreased by installing an artificial lawn. However, there are still tasks you will need to complete to keep your grass looking perfect.

The pile height of artificial grass can impact these smaller maintenance tasks and affect how long it takes to refresh your synthetic turf. Most notably, longer fibres will need extra brushing to return them to an upright position, meaning brushing off your grass will have to happen more regularly. Similarly, more debris can get stuck in longer fibres, which would require a little more time to remove. This is also the case when looking after pets, longer pile heights are not quite so easy to clean. Therefore, if keeping maintenance to an absolute minimum is your priority, a shorter length is probably the most suitable.

Selecting the Right Pile Height for You

The artificial grass best pile height is easier to determine with the help of the above points. Generally, artificial grass, which is designed for homes, usually sits around the 25–45mm pile height range because these have been found to offer the greatest balance of aesthetics and practicality. There are a variety of products available, all top quality and ranging from 18mm – 45mmpile height artificial grass.

If you are unsure about the right artificial turf pile height, get in touch with our team of experts at Artificial Lawn Company, and we will be happy to help.

We have spent nearly two decades helping thousands of homeowners install artificial grass to create the garden they always wanted! Our team is here to help you choose the best products for your dream garden. Contact us today for bespoke advice tailored to your needs, or order a free artificial grass sample to get an idea of different pile heights.