Artificial lawns are a great option for people that want their lawns to look lush and green year-round. We’ve put together a list of the pros and cons of artificial turf and what maintenance looks like to help you make the best decision for you and your lawn.
What Is Astroturf?
Artificial turf is a surface of synthetic fibers that looks like natural grass. What was most often reserved for sports arenas is now commonly used on residential lawns and commercial properties. The industry has come a long way since the first artificial turf brand, AstroTurf, gained popularity in the 1960s; what started as a short pile without infill has transformed into a third-generation turf with longer fibers and infill mixtures of sand and granules of recycled rubber.
Pros of Having Artificial Turf at Home
- Water Conservation: Conserving water is good for the environment and your bank account. And if you live somewhere that experiences droughts, you will no longer have to worry about how that affects your lawn.
- Non-Allergenic: If you suffer from allergies, this is a big selling point. Say goodbye to grass pollen and hello to enjoying your yard without sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.
- Low-Maintenance: Artificial grass does not require mowing, seeding, fertilizing, or watering, which keeps yearly maintenance costs way down.
- No Chemicals: To attempt to keep a regular yard bug-free, you need a number of chemicals to do the work. But because artificial turf is designed with year-round perfection, you won’t need to invest in herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers.
- Durability: Artificial turf is extremely durable; not only is it dig-proof (even for the most curious dogs), but it’s also stain- and fade-resistant, and it won’t fray at the edges.
Cons of Artificial Turf
- Surface Heat: Artificial turf holds significantly more heat than real grass. Certain types of infill can also raise the surface temperature, meaning it can get too hot to sit on or walk on with bare feet.
- Cost: The initial cost of installing artificial turf can be substantially higher than laying sod.
- Heat Sensitivity: While artificial grass does not flame up, it can melt if something like hot coal hits it. The good news? Artificial turf can be repaired.
- Local Restrictions: Some homeowners associations and city municipalities have restrictions or even bans on installing artificial turf, so it’s always important to know before you begin the process.
Artificial Grass Care Maintenance
All lawns need some type of routine maintenance, but taking care of artificial turf is not nearly as time-consuming or financially demanding as natural grass.
- Artificial grass does not need to be watered, but it benefits from a shower now and then to rid the blades of any buildup.
- Think of artificial turf as a new, lush, green rug. What do rugs require? Spot cleaning. For everyday spills like coffee or paint, a basic household cleaner will do the trick. But for the tougher stuff like gum or motor oil, you’ll need a special grease remover.
- After a certain amount of time, you might find that artificial grass blades look a little worn down, but time is no match for brushes designed to perk artificial grass right up.
Do you have artificial turf at home? Share your experience with us in the comments below!