Artificial Turf vs Grass: Why You Should Switch to Turf Now

If you want a healthier lawn and to not have to worry about the upkeep, it’s time for you to switch from natural grass to artificial turf. Plus there are several other benefits of switching away from your old-fashioned yard into this new age technology.

Artificial turf is a great option for many reasons. It is not only safer than grass, but it also requires less maintenance. Read more in detail here: turf vs grass injuries.

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Many homeowners take pleasure in their well-kept lawns. When you go by a lawn that is even, green, and well-kept, you can tell the owner puts a lot of effort and money into it.

But what if you could have this stunning appearance without spending so much time and money? The answer is artificial grass.

In this post, we’ll go over what artificial grass is and how it may improve the appearance of your house.

Then, based on beauty, upkeep, cost, and environmental effect, we’ll compare artificial turf versus natural grass.

By the time you’ve finished reading, we’re convinced you’ll be ready to install artificial grass in your own yard!

What Is Synthetic Turf?

Artificial turf, often known as artificial grass, is a form of grass that is produced from nonnatural, man-made fibers. These fibers are often comprised of polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon, and are sewed onto a backing similar to how carpet is created.

You may be familiar with the term “AstroTurf,” which is extremely similar. The Houston Astrodome sports stadium was the first to deploy artificial grass in 1966, giving it its name.

Throughout the second part of the twentieth century, it became popular in a variety of sports arenas. It was also employed in less conspicuous places like public green areas and, of course, household lawns.

Can You Tell If a Lawn Is Artificial Just By Looking At It?

Excellent question. No, not generally, and certainly not on current artificial grass.

Artificial grass was limited to sporting stadiums for a reason for the first several decades following its development: it didn’t seem very natural. That has changed as technology has advanced.

Artificial grass nowadays seems to be extremely lifelike. To make it look more realistic, most producers incorporate minor color variances, like little brown spots.

Even modern artificial grass has a realistic appearance. The technology has advanced so far that determining the difference between synthetic and real grass requires a closer examination.

Maintaining a lawn that is as green and well-kept as artificial grass is almost impossible or needs a significant amount of time and work.

You won’t have to worry about weeds or crabgrass with artificial turf, you won’t have brown spots, and you won’t have to worry about who will mow it while you’re gone. What a blessing!

Artificial Turf vs. Grass Maintenance

Artificial turf and genuine grass have no competition when it comes to upkeep. Artificial grass takes so little upkeep that comparing the two is almost unfair.

Artificial grass does not need mowing, which is one of the largest benefits in terms of maintenance.

Most lawns need mowing every one to two weeks, and the operation takes a couple of hours from start to finish. What else might you do with your free time?

Furthermore, it is not only necessary to maintain the grass itself, but also all of the necessary equipment. The most important of them are your lawn mower and trimmer, which need either gas or rechargeable batteries and their own maintenance, not to mention precious garage or shed space to store.

The initial installation phase of artificial grass necessitates the greatest upkeep. After that, you won’t have to do anything to keep your lovely grass looking good.

The most difficult aspect of putting artificial turf still involves actual grass: you must remove the grass that has given you so much grief over the years. To properly install it, you’ll need to remove four inches of grass and dirt; that’s a lot, so you’ll need a dumpster to store it all.

After that, you’ll need to add the base. Four inches should enough, and most people use road base for this. The grass may then be laid down and chopped to match your location.

To finish, use turf nails or staples every six inches around the perimeter and every two feet anywhere else to secure the artificial grass. Finally, place the grass and brush it in. A power broom, which you can usually hire from a hardware shop, should be used for brushing.

Sounds difficult? It is, which is why we suggest having it done by specialists.

You may be able to find an all-in-one package that allows you to purchase artificial grass from the same individuals that install it. If not, contact a few lawn care and landscaping firms to locate someone qualified and skilled.

The crucial thing to remember is that after all of stuff is completed, the majority of artificial grass upkeep is over. Your job with normal grass doesn’t end after it’s planted or sodded.

Clearing garbage, raking leaves, and cleaning spills or sticky patches are all necessary steps in artificial grass maintenance. There’s no need to worry about liquids since the lawn drains naturally.

Brushing artificial grass on a regular basis also keeps it looking fresh. If there isn’t much rain, you’ll need to use a hose to wash away the dust.

Overall, artificial grass upkeep might take an hour each month. Furthermore, it may endure for up to 25 years.

Artificial Turf vs. Grass Cost

We won’t sugarcoat it: artificial grass isn’t cheap at first. The crucial thing to remember is that the recurring savings will more than make it worthwhile in the long run.

You should expect to spend well over $1,000 per year for someone to come and take care of your grass. Over the course of 25 years…well, you do the math.

You will save money by doing it yourself, but you will still have to spend hundreds of dollars every year on your mower, trimmer, fertilizer, seed, and other equipment, as well as gallons upon gallons of water. Furthermore, how much is your time worth to you?

Furthermore, when the scarcity of clean water becomes a worldwide humanitarian catastrophe, we have no clue what will happen to our capacity to water lawns in the future. Water might become prohibitively costly, or lawn watering could be prohibited entirely.

Finally, artificial grass has the potential to increase the value of your house. Because your property is usually your largest investment, you should do everything possible to increase its value.

Artificial Turf vs. Grass in the Environment

Some individuals dislike artificial grass because it isn’t natural, and they feel it is bad for the environment as a result. Artificial grass, according to some, is harmful to animals and soil.

What these folks don’t realize is that grass isn’t natural in most locations, either. You wouldn’t have much grass growing on your lawn if you stopped treating it to stimulate grass growth and discourage other plant life.

Furthermore, grass has a significant environmental cost, especially when it comes to keeping a green lawn.

For every 1,000 square feet of grass, homeowners consume around 125 gallons of water on a typical hot, bright summer day. That implies a 1/4-acre lawn will need almost 1,300 gallons of water every day.

Furthermore, keeping a green grass frequently necessitates the use of pesticides. When chemicals from lawn fertilizers flow off into bodies of water, they kill fish and other species.

Furthermore, the pesticides may endanger your family and pets, particularly if you have children or animals that play on (or eat) the grass. Organic, less harmful fertilizers are available, although they are often ineffective.

The only way to keep a yard looking greener than artificial turf is to totally replace grass with pebbles or another kind of turf that doesn’t need water. This is done in certain desert regions, but the overall look is poor, and it may even depreciate your home’s worth.

Artificial grass is comprised of synthetic materials, and it will ultimately need to disintegrate, posing an environmental risk. However, the amount of trash you’ll save in the meanwhile more than compensates for that, particularly because artificial grass only has to be changed every 15 to 25 years (depending on wear and tear and weather).

Artificial Turf Is the Clearly Better Option

Whether you want to increase the value of your house, boost curb appeal, save money over time, help the environment, or spend more time with your family, artificial grass can help.

Artificial grass makers, merchants, and installers may be found all across the United States. Spend some time researching firms in your area before moving forward with putting artificial grass in your yard in time for spring and summer.

Artificial turf is much better than grass in football because it is less likely to cause injuries. Artificial turf is also easier to maintain and doesn’t require as much water. Reference: why turf is better than grass in football.