Know What To Expect – Pros and Cons of Artificial Turf

Every decision comes with advantages and disadvantages and installing artificial turf is no different. All factors need to be considered before you pay for a complete overhaul of your natural grass and replace it with synthetic turf.

A Look at the Pros of Artificial Turf

There are a lot of advantages to installing artificial grass for your lawn. The biggest factor for most people is synthetic turf is low maintenance. You will no longer need to spend every weekend cutting grass, weeding, edging and all the rest that goes with lawn upkeep.

Another plus is synthetic turf looks good all year. It is highly durable, so it can withstand both extreme heat and excessive cold and still look green. It doesn’t fade for many years and your lawn always looks perfect.

A third plus for artificial grass is its long-term affordability. The total cost of installing artificial grass costs less than maintaining natural grass over a 10-year period. Savings come in reduced lawn work, which means reduced gasoline for lawnmowers and lawn equipment. These savings will also be created with reduced equipment repairs and the elimination of chemicals like fertilizer and weed killer.

Some homeowners like synthetic grass because it reduces or eliminates chemical use on the lawn. These chemicals can pose immediate dangers to children and pets, both who play close to the ground. These chemicals also hurt the entire ecosystem once they seep into groundwater.

Another positive for installing artificial grass is a reduction in water use. Many local governments are issuing water bans and artificial turf uses no water.

Beautification is another reason homeowners like synthetic grass. You can do things with artificial grass you can’t do with regular grass to add something special to your yard. That includes:

• Putting it over steps or walkways.
• Making a checkerboard with different shades of grass or concrete.
• Using it around stone boulders and other objects where the grass is difficult to grow or hard to trim.

A Look at the Cons of Artificial Turf

Believe it or not, installing synthetic grass has some disadvantages. These should also be weighed against benefits when considering a decision to redo your lawn in artificial grass.

The first disadvantage is the upfront cost. While it does pay for itself in reduced lawn equipment, gas, water, and chemicals, there is an upfront cost to its purchase and installation. You shouldn’t go cheap on this because a good install is one factor impacting the lifespan of your artificial grass. So, be prepared to spend some money on upfront costs.

The second disadvantage is the demolition of your yard. Synthetic grass installation requires that all natural grass be removed and the yard is leveled. Installers will pick out large rocks, eliminate dips and valleys as well as grade the dirt. It can be messy and could take longer than expected if the weather doesn’t hold up.

A third disadvantage is artificial turf can’t be easily changed after its installed. This makes it challenging to add a new garden area or replace a damaged section. You will need to call a professional in those situations.

Fourth, some people like natural grass. They like the way it feels and the way it smells, especially after it’s been cut. They may miss these types of things once synthetic grass is installed.

Most believe there are far more advantages that come with synthetic turf than disadvantages. That’s why it is becoming so popular with homeowners. Even so, all sides need to be considered before a decision is made.