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Pick a narrow roll to cut waste
Artificial grass is sold on a roll, like carpet, and rolls only come in set widths. For small or narrow areas, a 1m or 2m wide roll usually wastes far less than a 4m one. Why does that matter? You pay for the full width of the roll, then cut off the part you don't need — and that offcut goes in the bin. Our calculator compares 1m, 1.5m, 2m, 3m and 4m for your exact size and tells you which wastes least. If your space matches a roll width (say it is 2m wide), you can get an almost perfect fit with nothing wasted.
Laying on a balcony, patio or decking
On a hard surface you don't need any groundwork (digging out and building up a stone base — the hard part of most garden jobs). Sweep the surface clean. Lay a foam shockpad underlay (a soft foam sheet that goes under the grass — it makes the grass nicer to walk on and lets water drain through). Then lay the grass on top, trim it to fit, and fix it down at the edges. Check that rainwater can still run off the way it did before. If it can't, puddles will sit under the grass.
Choosing the grass
In a small space you see the grass up close, so it is worth paying a little more for grass that looks natural. Look for a mid pile (the pile is the length of the plastic blades — around 30mm looks most like a real lawn). Because the area is small, the extra cost over budget grass is tiny — often just a few pounds.
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Can I put artificial grass on a balcony?
Yes. Lay it over a clean, hard surface with a foam underlay underneath, and make sure rainwater can still drain away. No digging or base-building is needed.
What roll width is best for a small garden?
Usually 1m or 2m. These narrower rolls waste less on small or narrow areas. The calculator shows the width that wastes least for your size.
How much grass do I need for a small space?
Measure the length and width of your space, then let the calculator work out the amount. Grass only comes in fixed roll widths, so the calculator allows for that — you won't come up short.
Rather not do it yourself?
Even a small job needs a level base (a flat, firm surface for the grass to sit on). Post the job free and local landscapers reply with quotes, so you can compare real prices against our estimate.
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