Case study: A shared front-lawn install in Wilmslow.
Mohammed and Daryl are neighbours sharing a front lawn in Wilmslow -- a setup that needed real coordination because the install crossed both properties and both households had to be happy with the finish. They found us online, rang to ask about options, and had L...
Project at a glance Verified Wolsten build
- Property type
- Shared front lawn (two households) -- Wilmslow
- Time on site
- 2 days
- Pile height
- 40mm 'Grass Directo' premium artificial turf
- Subbase
- MOT + sand subbase, bespoke timber frame
- Surrounds
- Bespoke timber frame -- shared boundary install
- Finish
- Kiln-dried sand top-dress
- Customer
- Mohammed & Daryl
Why Mohammed & Daryl called us.
Mohammed and Daryl are neighbours sharing a front lawn in Wilmslow -- a setup that needed real coordination because the install crossed both properties and both households had to be happy with the finish. They found us online, rang to ask about options, and had Liam round to quote within 2 days. The install ran the following weekend.
The shared boundary made this a more bespoke job than a typical single-household install. A custom timber frame ran around the perimeter to define the shared lawn footprint cleanly. The turf was a 40mm 'Grass Directo' premium spec -- which for a front lawn at this kerb position pays back tenfold in visual impact.
What we did.
A 1.5-day install with bespoke timber framing -- because the shared boundary needed a clean perimeter that both neighbours owned.
The build sequence:
- Mapped the shared lawn footprint across both properties
- Built a bespoke treated timber frame around the perimeter -- this defines the lawn boundary in a shared install
- Laid the standard MOT type-1 subbase and bedded with sand
- Whacker-plate compacted to a clean finished level
- Rolled out the 40mm 'Grass Directo' premium turf -- highest-spec pile in our range
- Pinned the perimeter into the bespoke frame
- Kiln-dried sand top-dressed and brushed to lift the pile
One and a half days from start to finished lawn. Two neighbours happy, one shared lawn that elevates the whole kerb appeal of both properties.
The whole project, in four shots.
Real photos from the actual Wilmslow job.
Day 1: bespoke shared-boundary timber frame in -- the foundation of the install.
Day 1 cont'd: MOT compacted with wacker plate around the manhole detail.
40mm Grass Directo premium down -- front-of-house kerb appeal.
The edge detail where the lawn meets the driveway -- pinned tight.What Mohammed & Daryl said.
We found the details online and rang to ask about options. We had a visit from Liam within 2 days of calling and installed the following weekend. Very happy, it looks fantastic.
Every detail of the Wilmslow build.
The full set of photos taken throughout the project.
For the discerning homeowner.
What we actually built into this install.
Shared front-lawn installs -- the boundary challenge
Most AG installs sit cleanly inside one homeowner's boundary. Shared front lawns need more care: the perimeter has to be defined in a way both households agree on, and any drainage or settlement issue affects two property owners not one. We always insist on a single bespoke timber frame across the shared footprint -- it gives both households a clear visual boundary, anchors the turf perimeter, and means future maintenance is everyone's lawn rather than two adjacent installs.
40mm 'Grass Directo' premium -- when to spec the top end
40mm Grass Directo premium is the highest-spec pile we fit on residential work. The longer fibres + four-tone colour blend read as natural turf in any light, and the curly-yarn rebound holds up over years of use. For a front lawn at the kerb, the visual difference between this and a 30mm mid-range pile is dramatic -- and on a small footprint the cost premium is minimal.
Bespoke timber framing -- not just a perimeter
A bespoke timber frame for a shared install does three jobs: defines the boundary visually, anchors the turf edge so it doesn't lift, and retains the subbase if the surrounding ground level differs. For Mohammed and Daryl we built the frame slightly proud of the driveway level so the turf would tension against it cleanly. Small detail, big impact on long-term appearance.
2-day enquiry-to-quote -- why we move fast on the front end
Mohammed and Daryl rang on a Wednesday or Thursday; Liam was on site within 2 days; install ran the weekend after. That speed isn't accidental -- we keep the diary set up so quoting visits happen within 48 hours of an enquiry whenever possible. The faster you get a real quote in front of a homeowner, the easier the decision becomes and the less time you spend chasing leads that have already gone cold.
Three founders, plus extended crew when the job calls for it.
Liam, Ryan and Paul on every job. Where the work needs more hands, we bring in trusted regulars.
Liam
Surveyed and quoted. Supervised the build on site.
Ryan
Time-served bricklayer and artificial grass install lead.
Paul
Cut the timber surrounds and handled the finish detail.
Wilmslow
Wilmslow is well covered by our North West service area. We install artificial grass right across Cheshire -- usually within 30 minutes drive of our Westhoughton base.
Questions homeowners ask about artificial grass installs like this.
How long does an artificial grass install take?
This Wilmslow job took 2 days. Most North West artificial grass installs run 2-4 days depending on garden size and ground conditions. Drainage rescues (like Lisa's Westhoughton job) can add a day for French drain installation.
Is 'fake grass' the same as artificial grass?
Yes -- fake grass, artificial grass, astro turf, synthetic lawn: all names for the same product family. Whatever you call it, the quality difference isn't the name -- it's the pile density, the backing, and above all the sub-base it's installed on. A premium turf laid over a poorly compacted base will fail years before a mid-range turf on a proper one.
Will the joins between rolls be visible?
Not if they're done right. We use proper jointing tape + adhesive and match the pile direction across the seam. From a metre away the joins are invisible.
What's the lifespan of a properly-installed artificial grass lawn?
8-12 years on a properly compacted MOT subbase. The variables are pile quality, subbase compaction, and whether the perimeter is properly bordered. Lawns where installers cheap out on subbase often need replacing within 3-4 years -- which is why we never cut that corner.
Do I need to do any maintenance on artificial grass?
Very little. Brush the pile occasionally to keep it standing upright, top up the kiln-dried sand every 2-3 years, and rinse it off after the dog. That's it. Compared to a real lawn (mowing, feeding, edging, reseeding), the time saving is huge.
Do I need planning permission for artificial grass?
Almost never for a rear garden. Front-garden non-permeable surfacing over 5m² CAN trigger planning, but rear gardens fall under permitted development.
Get a fixed Wilmslow-style artificial grass quote in 1 working day.
Free on-site survey at your property. Itemised written quote back within 1 working day. No deposit, no pressure -- exactly the way this project worked for Mohammed & Daryl.
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