With all of the artificial and synthetic turf options available today, it makes sense to consider the pros and cons of a synthetic turf installation compared to real grass. Both have their benefits, and depending upon what your goals are, one make more sense than the other. We have compiled a list of factors for to consider before making a decision.
Maintenance
When it comes to maintenance, artificial turf is the clear winner. Real grass installations require constant maintenance, and we’re not talking about just mowing your grass when it gets long. Depending upon the weather where you live, you may have to constantly water your grass. Not only does this run up your water bill, but it also isn’t good for the environment to be wasting all that fresh water all the time.
You also have to factor in other maintenance that real grass requires, such as aeration, fertilizing, edging and more. With artificial turf installations you don’t really have to worry about any of that. Of course you’ll still want to provide care for it, but it doesn’t take nearly as much work. If it gets dirty, you can hose it off. You also don’t have to worry about mud and dirt getting tracked into your home.
Aesthetics & Feel
There are pros and cons to both options when it comes to visual aesthetics and how the grass/turf actually feels.
Real Grass - Even the best and most expensive artificial turfs can’t match the feel of real grass. There is something about the feel of a well maintained real grass installation under your feet that cannot be matched. Real grass can also look beautiful if properly installed and cared for. For beautiful landscape and garden design projects, real grass can be a great option.
Synthetic Turf - There are a lot of companies that produce a variety of artificial and synthetic turf products. Cheaper installations obviously have a cheap feel to them. It can be spotted as “fake grass” from a mile away, and it just feels cheap to walk on. Higher end turf can look much more natural and can actually be very beautiful. No matter what though, you’re never going to get the same natural feel from artificial turf.
Costs
When evaluating the costs of an artificial turf vs. real grass installation, you need to factor in the upfront costs as well as the long term costs. Artificial turf is going to almost always be more expensive upfront. Real grass will cost less to install but you will have higher maintenance costs in the long run. When evaluating the costs associated with a new installation it is important to consider what the new grass is going to be used for and how long of a lifespan you would like to get out of it.
Artificial Turf or Real Grass, Which One is Right For You?
As you can see, there are plenty of factors to consider when deciding between real grass and artificial turf installations. What are you using it for? Do you mind doing maintenance on it? Do you have a problem with spending more money up front to save on long term costs? These are all important things to consider when deciding which path to take.