Are you considering getting artificial turf for your lawn but don’t know if it’s a good fit? Depending on your budget, yard space, and lifestyle, artificial grass can transform your curb appeal and save you money.
On the other hand, artificial turf is made of plastic, so it may be bad for the environment and reduce the biodiversity of your garden. However, if you’re looking for easy maintenance at affordable prices, artificial turf will work for you.
Read on to discover the pros and cons of artificial turf to help you decide if it’s the best choice for your garden.
What Are the Pros of Artificial Turf?
It’s Easy To Maintain
Artificial turf is easy to maintain as it doesn’t require watering, mowing, fertilizing, or treating in any way. All you need to do is vacuum it occasionally or rinse it if it’s dirty but other than that, it’ll look good all year round.
This ease of maintenance is great for making all your landscaping ideas come true as you won’t have to worry about grass seed quality and lawn care.
It’s Long-Lasting and Durable
One of the best benefits of artificial grass is durability. A good quality artificial turf will last anywhere from 7-15 years or more with proper care. It’s also great for high traffic areas where kids and pets play and you don’t want any bald patches.
It’s a Great Return on Investment
Artificial turf may be a bigger initial investment than real grass but it’ll pay off greatly throughout the years. Artificial grass prices vary depending on the quality and type you want. But since turf doesn’t require any maintenance, you won’t need to spend money on fertilizers, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and all kinds of tools you’d need for real grass.
What Are the Cons of Artificial Turf?
It’s Not Environmentally Friendly
Artificial grass is made of plastic, which is a strong and sturdy material but may not be biodegradable. When you stop using it and are ready to throw it away, it may take decades to break down in a landfill.
However, the biodegradable properties depend on the manufacturer and their production practices. There are many artificial turf companies that make eco-friendly turf that won’t pollute the environment.
It Gets Hot in the Heat
If you plan to put artificial grass in your entire backyard, bear in mind it’ll get hot in the spring and summer, especially if you live in a hotter part of the country.
Though hot turf won’t cause any skin burns, it can be unbearable to walk on for both humans and pets. This means you’ll have to run the hose more often or stay away from the turf until the evening.
Should You Choose Artificial Turf for Your Lawn? Now You Know!
Whether you want to do a lawn update for the season or start over with landscaping, these pros and cons of artificial turf will help you make the right decision.
Need more gardening and landscaping tips? There’s plenty to read on these topics over on our blog where we share the best advice for homeowners.