August 18th, 2022
Both turf and grass are great options for enhancing the look of any outdoor space. Here we will break down the Pros and Cons of each.
Artificial grass has been replacing live grass more and more throughout the years. From soccer fields, to playgrounds, to backyards; this adoption of an alternative to an American standard has become more popular than most people realize. So it begs the question, is artificial grass (turf) worth the hype?
Cons of Live Grass
Environmental Threat: Did you know that watering natural grass accounts for one-third of all residential water usage? This poses a threat to areas that are susceptible to drought and have dry climates; thus leaving these areas with an even more limited water supply. Sure, the water usage is a problem, but the fertilizer usage is another concern that needs to be addressed as the run-off from lawns seep into the soil streams and chemicals pollute the groundwater.
Maintenance: It's no secret that maintaining live grass is a hassle. The fertilizing, watering, mowing, and blowing takes away time that you could be spending by doing something more enjoyable, such as spending time with family. Regardless of whether it's you or your spouse that does it, or you pay to have it done for you, this adds on to the already high-maintenance upkeep of having a home and the cost will add up over-time.
Traffic: If you have kids or pets that frequently like to use the yard, then you will notice discoloration and/or muddy/flat areas from over-usage. So, unless you are going to be monitoring how much time your kids and pets spend on each side of the yard, then I would suggest looking for something lower maintenance.
Pros of Having Live Grass
It's Real: If you are one to really care about the look of authentic grass, then this would be your #1 reason to go with live grass. Real grass can really make the home look more elegant and put-together; especially when it is freshly-cut and the well-thought-out stripes or designs are on display. This, plus the feel of having barefoot on live grass is incomparable to anything artificial.
Affordable: It is affordable to install and does not require many sophisticated material. All you need are some seeds, soil, water, an area with good sunlight, and you're set.
"Although the maintenance is higher, a natural lawn has an emotional factor to it. It also helps make your lawn look and feel homier." – Hill Horticulture, grass specialist
Cons of Artificial Turf
Upfront Cost: The cost of having a turf specialist give you a consultation (Element Outdoor Living does not charge for consultations), installation and material will be higher than natural grass at first. This can easily add up if you are looking to install it in a larger space.
Maintenance: It's no secret that maintaining live grass is a hassle. The fertilizing, watering, mowing, and blowing takes away time that you could be spending by doing something more enjoyable, such as spending time with family. Regardless of whether it's you or your spouse that does it, or you pay to have it done for you, this adds on to the already high-maintenance upkeep of having a home and the cost will add up over-time.
Traffic: If you have kids or pets that frequently like to use the yard, then you will notice discoloration and/or muddy/flat areas from over-usage. So, unless you are going to be monitoring how much time your kids and pets spend on each side of the yard, then I would suggest looking for something lower maintenance.
Pros of Artificial Turf
Low-Maitenance: If you are tired of looking after a high-maintenance lawn that you think should no longer steal your time, then this would be the selling-point for you. Installing artificial turf is a long-term fix for not having to slave away in the heat to maintain a perfect lawn, as it is always perfect and requires hardly any effort to be that way. Once installed, it does not require any water, fertilizer or mowing, and will always look perfect.
Long-Term Savings: It may not seem like it at first because of the initial cost, but in the long-run having artificial grass is less costly than real grass. This is because of the low-maintenance upkeep, with no watering, fertilizing or mowing you will be saving quite a bit monthly, depending on your area of grass. If you pay someone to care for your lawn, you will be pocketing those extra savings every month for the rest of your turf's life.
Long-Term Beauty: You don't have to worry about your artificial grass dying on you in the winter. Artificial turf will look beautiful in any weather and is an effortless way to maintain the beauty of your home, even in colder weather when regular grass is dying or yellowing. The HOA will never be on your case for an "unkept" lawn.
Easy Clean-Up: Artificial turf can be raked with a rake, just like a regular lawn. The only difference is that if it dirties, you can just hose it off and it looks brand new again. If installed properly, the water will just drain down and you do not need to worry about any unwanted water patches or mud, like with regular grass.
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