Do you have a concrete driveway already or are you planning to install pavers or a concrete ribbon?
If so, it doesn’t have to end in a drab, colorless area at the front of your house. By combining concrete pavers with artificial grass, for instance, you can create a driveway that adds curb appeal as well as functionality to your property.
Synthetic turf is low maintenance, durable, affordable, and natural-looking, making it a convenient and practical ground surface to accompany concrete by your garage or if you park your car at the front of the house.
Here are a few ideas for using artificial turf with concrete in the driveway area…
Why Use Artificial Grass With A Concrete Driveway?
Artificial grass is increasingly used in U.S. homes but most people associate it with a backyard lawn, kids’ play area, around a swimming pool or other backyard landscaping ideas.
Turf also looks fantastic in the front yard or running down the side of the house, providing an affordable and convenient option that can add value to a home.
Some of the main benefits of artificial grass include:
- Ultra-low maintenance: an occasional cross brush, clean or blast with a leaf blower is all you need to keep it looking fantastic all year round
- Looks natural and lush: the best modern artificial grass is of a very high standard and looks much more realistic than the Astroturf type of material that first appeared on the market decades ago.
- Affordable: despite the higher costs of installation than natural grass, artificial grass pays for itself after around five years by removing maintenance costs associated with lawn services, water usage, pesticides/herbicides/fertilizers, garden equipment, and so on.
- Low water usage: for many states, water restrictions can be problematic for homeowners; synthetic grass solves that.
- Durable and long-lasting: the best-quality artificial grass can handle a lot of wear and tear without degrading, often lasting 15-20 years or more.
- All-weather usability: properly installed artificial grass will drain water well and can handle the worst that the elements throw at it without deteriorating,
When comparing artificial grass with real grass, homeowners generally find it more convenient and well worth the money over the long term.
Can You Drive On Artificial Grass?
You can drive on artificial grass and park a car on it. However, because the average weight of vehicles in the U.S. is over 4,000 pounds, most artificial turf will start to show signs of compression if you regularly park a car there for extended periods.
You also need to be wary of oil and gas leaks on artificial grass as they can lead to staining and difficulties with cleaning.
There are pros and cons with artificial grass but most high-quality artificial grass areas can easily handle foot traffic and regular usage from families. It is “springy” and “bounces back” well. But a 4,000-pound vehicle is another matter and it will start to flatten the grass blades. Even concrete cracks under that weight after a while.
Combining artificial grass with concrete can help the driveway area better handle the excessive weight involved. Or you can use artificial grass by the side of the concrete driveway, where it’s not exposed to the huge pressures of a vehicle.
Now it’s time to look at a few of the best ideas for concrete driveways with artificial grass…
7 Ways To Integrate Artificial Grass With A Concrete Driveway
Square or Rectangular Concrete Pavers With Turf Strips In Between
One of the most popular driveway design ideas to combine artificial grass and concrete is square or rectangular pavers with turf strips (sometimes called “turf ribbons”) in between.
The contrast of the pale-colored pavers and the all-year-round verdant green of synthetic turf is eye-catching and makes for a modern and stylish front of the home. And, remember, there’s no work to do to keep the grass looking neat and trimmed like there would be with real grass.
Here’s a good example with square pavers…
And here’s one with rectangular pavers used to great effect with artificial grass:
Creative Paver Shapes With Turf for a More Eye-Catching Design
Pavers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to mix it up a little with your driveway and get more creative.
If you don’t fancy the standard geometric squares and rectangles, how about diamonds, chevrons, circles or another paver design?
This is an interesting example:
Combine Different Types of Pavers
Why stick with one size or shape of paver and a completely uniform driveway? Another idea is to add a slice of uniqueness to your concrete and turf driveway by combining two or more different sizes of pavers, like in this example:
As long as you leave gaps a few inches wide between the pavers to fit the artificial turf strips and the wheels of the vehicle will rest mainly on the concrete or stone, there are few limitations to getting creative with driveway pavers.
Another interesting alternative is to install square pavers with squares of artificial grass to form a checkerboard design. Bear in mind, however, that if the grass areas consistently bear the weight of a vehicle for long periods, they could deteriorate.
Combine a Pathway and Driveway—With Turf In Between
A paved pathway or flagstones at the front of a home alongside a concrete driveway, with an artificial grass area installed in between, is an effective front yard setup that can add color to an otherwise rather dull and colorless scene.
Fit Turf Between Two Concrete Strips
One of the simplest driveway ideas to combine concrete with artificial grass is installing two long concrete strips from the street to your garage, with artificial turf in between and to the sides. This is sometimes called a “ribbon driveway” design and is very traditional.
The concrete takes the weight of the vehicle (make sure you measure the correct distance between the concrete strips correctly to match your vehicle) but you still get the natural-looking benefits of verdant, lush, low-maintenance artificial grass at the front of your home.
Landscape a Front Lawn by the Side of the Driveway
Installing an artificial grass front lawn means that the front of your property, i.e., the view from the street, always looks immaculate, regardless of the weather or amount of maintenance you do.
Even if you barely touch the lawn, it can still look pristine beside a concrete driveway, as in this example:
Run Artificial Grass Up the Side of the Home
The side of the house beside the driveway can be problematic when it comes to adding grass because of the lack of sunshine that reaches these often-shaded areas.
Artificial grass solves this problem, allowing you to add a dash of color to the concrete surroundings without worrying about whether it will grow or develop yellowing, bald patches.
Installation Tips for Artificial Grass With Driveways
A customized driveway using concrete and artificial grass can bring curb appeal, style, and year-round practicality to your property. But only if you invest in high-quality turf—and the right people to install it.
Most homeowners, even keen DIYers, don’t have the necessary expertise and equipment to prepare the ground adequately and then install the grass and concrete/pavers so that important factors like drainage are accounted for. It requires more than simply rolling out a carpet or strip of fake grass.
If you’re using pavers or flagstones, you’ll need to measure precisely and cut the grass accurately. Laying the turf over the stones and pressing down will show where the edges of the stones line up beneath the turf and provide an outline for trimming the turf. But this process generally takes installation expertise, especially if you need to cut the grass to fit around irregular shapes, like this:
Make sure that the concrete or pavers you use can support the weight of your vehicle—and that they bear the brunt of the weight rather than the turfed areas. Pavers that are too thin may crack and buckle under the weight.
To extend the life of concrete or stone pavers, a sealant may need to be applied and small cracks should be repaired as soon as they form.
The best quality artificial grass and turf strips have backing perforated with drainage holes. So, provided the ground beneath the turf has been prepared properly, drainage shouldn’t be a problem—another reason to arrange a professional installation.
Customized Driveways With Artificial Grass…
These ideas for concrete driveways with artificial grass have hopefully inspired you to take the plunge and convert the area in front of your home to an eye-catching and low-maintenance driveway area.
Our experienced team of turf professionals has helped homeowners bring their landscaping ideas to life in front and back yards, bringing texture, color, and creativity to homes across the South.
If you’re considering design ideas for a driveway discuss your options with an artificial grass professional.
