It probably feels as though you are spending more time than ever maintaining your lawn. With each passing year, you spend more time watering, mowing, weeding, and otherwise tending your lawn so it looks good. After all, you understand the importance of curb appeal, and besides, most homeowners are willing to do what is necessary to keep their outdoor space in tip-top shape. But if you are getting tired of spending so much time working in your yard, there is an alternative. It might be time for you to transition your yard from natural grass to artificial turf. Now, this is a solution that has its ups and downs, so it makes sense to do a little research and see if this is the right solution for you. Here are the pros and cons of artificial turf.
The Good
There are many homeowners turning to artificial turf as a solution to their lawn woes and for good reasons. There are several benefits to having artificial turf installed, and the benefits can certainly outweigh the initial costs. Here are a few ways in which an artificial lawn might benefit you.
No Watering– Homeowners with natural grass spend a lot of time and money watering their lawn to keep it green and healthy. You also spend a lot of time and money fixing broken sprinkler heads, having the system blown out every fall, and attempting to keep the sprinklers from watering the sidewalk. In a nutshell, watering your lawn is no picnic. Artificial turf does not and will never need to be watered. Think about how much time and money that saves you every summer.
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No Mowing– Nobody lists mowing as one of their favorite chores. In fact, mowing is often viewed as one of the most despised chores. Have artificial turf installed in your yard, and you can sell your mower because you will never have to use it again.
It’s Safe– If you have an artificial lawn, your kids and pets remain safe because there is no need for the harsh chemicals found in fertilizers, weed killers, and pesticides. That’s right; you don’t have to spray your lawn with these chemicals and never have to worry about weeds popping up or grass dying because it is unhealthy.
Looks Great– Having an artificial lawn means that your outdoor space always looks great. Natural grass is tough to maintain, and even the best-looking lawns have dead spots and other imperfections. Artificial lawns are green all year long and always look perfect.
The Bad
It would be wonderful if having artificial grass installed on your property would solve all of your problems, but that just isn’t the case. As beneficial as artificial turf, it also has a few downsides. Here are a few reasons why artificial turf might not be a good choice for you.
Cost- Artificial turf is an investment that will serve you for many years, but the initial cost can be a little unnerving. While traditional sod costs around .50 cents per square foot, artificial grass will set you back between $6.00 and $12.00 per square foot. That’s significant.
Heat and Odor– When artificial turf is exposed to direct sunlight, it can become quite hot. Don’t expect to stroll through your lawn on a hot day if you have artificial turf and it’s not cool and refreshing on the feet like natural grass. In addition, if you have a pet, you can expect a build-up of bacteria over time and a funky smell to go with it. Even though artificial grass is much easier to maintain, there are still tasks that must be done to keep it clean and safe.
Not Traditional– Let’s face it, some homeowners do enjoy and take great pride in the work they do maintaining their lawn and garden. These people view artificial turf as a way to cheat. Also, with artificial turf, you will never again enjoy the scent of freshly mowed grass, and you will never enjoy lying in a patch of cool and soft grass under a tree on a hot day.
No Wildlife– Having an artificial lawn installed on your property will reduce its biodiversity. This means that you will probably see far fewer birds, butterflies, and other wildlife enjoying your yard. You can counter this a little by adding real trees and plants and even a bird feeder to your yard, but you will still see less wildlife.
Other Considerations
When thinking about switching to artificial turf, there are other considerations. For example, eliminating the need to mow makes artificial turf a good choice for homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint. In fact, artificial turf is a great way to improve the environment as you don’t have to use chemicals to maintain it.
Artificial grass is also an ideal choice for homeowners with small yards. You might have tight spots in your yard where growing grass is almost impossible, so artificial turf is a good solution. And who says your lawn has to be in the front and back of your home? With artificial turf, having a lawn on your roof terrace or deck is a viable option.
It might make perfect sense to have a consultation with a landscape design professional to learn about the pros and cons of artificial turf. The pros at Radiant Landscape Design and Build can help. We are more than happy to answer any questions you might have about artificial turf and if it is right for you. Fill out our contact form, and we will be in touch.
