Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Should I Buy a Plastic or Metal Lawn Roller?
Should I Buy a Plastic or Metal Lawn Roller?. Lawn rollers are used when you're planting a new lawn from seed or laying down sod. The two main types of rollers are made from plastic or metal. The one you choose will depend on the type of work you need to do and the amount of money you want to spend.
Lawn rollers are used when you're planting a new lawn from seed or laying down sod. The two main types of rollers are made from plastic or metal. The one you choose will depend on the type of work you need to do and the amount of money you want to spend.
Metal Rollers
Most metal rollers are made of steel, which makes them heavy but extremely durable. Metal rollers come in a number of sizes, from rollers measuring 2 or 3 feet across for small jobs to rollers 4 or 5 feet wide for larger jobs. The rollers are hollow drums attached to a handle. They're filled with water to provide them with enough weight to press down on new sod and ensure the roots are in direct contact with the soil below. In addition to being heavy and durable, metal rollers cost more than plastic rollers. They're also prone to rust, particularly if they're left outdoors in wet climates.
Plastic Rollers
Plastic rollers are constructed and shaped the same way as metal rollers but the cylindrical drum and handle are made of hard plastic. Plastic rollers are lighter and easier to handle and offer a good choice for small jobs. Plastic rollers are also less expensive than metal rollers, and are easier to transport and move around. But plastic rollers aren't as solid as metal rollers and high stress jobs can cause the drums and handles to crack under pressure.
Hybrid Rollers
Some homeowners opt for the middle ground by purchasing lawn rollers made of strong polyethylene. Polyethylene rollers are made of a stronger type of plastic that's slightly heavier and more durable, making them less likely to crack or break under stress. And unlike metal, polyetheylene rollers won't rust and can be used in wet climates with little or no maintenance. Some manufacturers also make lawn rollers with concrete drums. Concrete rollers are as tough and durable as metal rollers and just as heavy.
Choosing the Right One
Choosing the right roller depends on how much money you want to spend and the type of jobs you have planned. Someone who needs a roller for basic lawn installation and yard work will find a plastic version is suitable for most tasks. Somebody using the roller on a daily basis as part of his business will probably want to use a metal roller, particularly if the job requires rolling large areas or hooking the roller behind a tractor. If cost is the primary concern, plastic rollers are less expensive than metal rollers.
