Natural grass can transform your curb appeal, but it comes with its own problems. For example, some grass will fade in hot temperatures. Additionally, you’ll have to water it regularly to keep it fresh, and this will end up increasing your water bills.
So, if you’re thinking about using artificial grass and want to know its benefits over natural grass, you’re in the right place!
In this article, we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of artificial grass. So let’s get into it.
What Are the Main Benefits of Artificial Grass?
Installing artificial grass will help you cut down on water bills. It’ll also provide a safe and clean environment for your children and pets. In addition, artificial grass isn’t expensive to maintain; you won’t have to spend money on fertilisers, lawn mowers, or garden equipment.
The Pros of Artificial Grass
Keeping artificial grass has several advantages. In the following points, we’ll go through some of them.
Requires Little Maintenance
To maintain real grass, you’ll have to trim or mow your lawn, feed the grass with compost, and regularly check for pests. All this requires time and attention.
On the other hand, fake grass doesn’t need frequent watering or mowing, so installing it will save you from these activities. However, it still needs some maintenance, but it doesn’t require that much.
Helps You Save on Water Bills
One of the concerns of keeping natural grass is the water bill you have to pay. Conversely, artificial grass is made with plastic materials; hence, there’s no need to water it regularly. As a result, you get to cut down on your monthly water bills.
This isn’t to say that you don’t need water to keep artificial grass. Of course, you’ll have to rinse off the dust from your grass to keep it bright and green. However, the amount of water required is less than what you’ll need if you water your natural lawn.
Can Withstand Harsh Weather Conditions
Whether rain or shine, artificial grass will still look neat. For example, it won’t wither or turn brown in hot temperatures like natural grass. Instead, it stays fresh throughout any season, maintaining its colour and shine.
No More Weeds
In maintaining natural grass, you’ll have to remove the weeds that grow with it. This is because weeds can affect how the grass grows as they compete with grass for water and nutrients.
However, you don’t have to worry about dealing with weeds with artificial grass. Weeds won’t grow among your lawn, disrupting the growth.
Your Pets Will Love It
Artificial grass is pet-friendly. Your dogs will have a safe space to run around and play freely. You won’t have to worry about them digging out your grass or leaving brown patches on your lawn.
In addition, it’s easier to clean animal droppings from artificial grass. All you have to do is use a mild detergent and some water.
Clean and Safe for Children
Fake grass is ideal for school and recreational facilities because it’s a clean and safe environment for children. No matter how many times they fall on artificial grass, they’ll not rise with grass and mud stains which can be difficult to remove.
Also, they won’t walk in after recess with dirty clothes stained with mud at schools. Plus, they won’t get insect bites as insects and bugs usually prefer natural to artificial grass.
Cost-Effective
Keeping natural grass is costly. You’ll have to include the cost of water, a lawn mower, pesticides, garden shears, to mention a few.
When it comes to fake grass, we know that installing it might be expensive. However, looking at how budget-friendly it is to maintain, we can see that it’s worth it. Throughout its lifespan, the cost of maintaining artificial grass is way less than natural grass.
Great Fit for People With Mobility Issues
Because artificial grass is of low maintenance, it fits people with mobility issues. So if you’re elderly or have a health condition affecting your mobility, you’ll appreciate artificial grass over its natural counterpart.
Ideal for Shaded Areas
Natural grass isn’t ideal for areas with shade because it needs sunlight to thrive. However, the same can’t be said for artificial grass. It doesn’t need sunlight because it’s made from synthetic materials like resin.
No Need to Worry About Allergies
Did you know that grass pollen can cause allergies? This can result in symptoms like a runny nose and itchy eyes. But with artificial grass, you don’t have to bother about allergies.
If you suffer from hay fever, synthetic grass is a great way to manage your symptoms. So you can relax on your lawn without the fear of falling sick. This isn’t to say that you can cure hay fever by spending time on artificial grass. However, it can help you control your symptoms.
Adds to the Aesthetics of Your Property
If you want the outside area of your property to look bright and lovely all year round, then you should consider artificial grass. It stays neat and healthy no matter the weather.
In addition, there are several colours, shapes, and thicknesses to choose from. So whatever style you’re looking for to complement the design of your property, artificial grass would be a fantastic addition.
The Cons of Artificial Grass
Although artificial grass has loads of benefits, it comes with some disadvantages. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Expensive to Install
Yes, artificial grass is less costly when it comes to maintenance. However, it’s expensive to install. You’ll have to factor in the process of preparing the ground that precedes the installation. You’ll also need materials like nails and planks to fix the artificial grass.
You can choose to install the grass on your own. However, if you’re hiring a professional, it adds up to the final cost.
Long Installation Process
A lot goes into fixing artificial grass; hence, it takes longer to install when compared to natural grass. Therefore, hiring a professional to install it for you is probably a better option.
However, if you’re thinking of fixing it yourself, you should note that it can take between one and three days.
Can’t Duplicate the Smell of Real Grass
Artificial grass is better than natural grass in many ways, as stated above. Sometimes, it’s almost impossible to tell the grass is artificial. However, synthetic grass doesn’t have that earthy smell you get with natural grass, and some people love that smell.
Deprives Wildlife of Their Natural Habitat
Insects and small animals make their homes in natural grass. So when you use artificial grass, you might be depriving these insects of their natural habitat.
This is because insects can’t survive in synthetic grass. They need natural elements like soils and living matter to thrive.
Gardeners Prefer Going Natural
Most gardeners are advocates for natural grass. This is because artificial grass robs the joy of mowing lawns or trimming. However, it’s a great idea if you’re a busy person who hardly has time to maintain your lawn. So the choice is yours to make.
Can Artificial Grass Last Without Maintenance?
Artificial isn’t difficult to keep like natural grass. However, you’ll need to perform routine maintenance on your lawn if you want it to last. Because artificial grass is usually installed outdoors, it can get dirty or stained. So let’s look at how you can maintain your artificial grass.
Brushing
Your blades can look flattened, especially in areas where people usually walk, so you’ll need to brush occasionally. Always use a stiff natural bristle brush for brushing your artificial lawn. It’s advisable to brush in different directions to keep your artificial grass upright.
Stain Removal
Removing stains and animal waste from artificial grass isn’t difficult. You can use hot soapy water, and your grass will be as good as new. However, always use a light detergent. For the best results, use detergents specifically produced for artificial grass.
Heat Protection
Hot artificial grass is common during summer. However, you can cool it down by sprinkling water on your lawn for a few minutes. Additionally, putting up canopies in your yard can keep your grass cool.
How Long Can Artificial Grass Last?
Artificial grass can last between 10 and 15 years, depending on how you keep it. However, if you practice poor maintenance, it can reduce the lifespan of your artificial grass.
In addition, if you buy poor-quality artificial grass, it won’t last long. For example, if your artificial grass doesn’t come with UV light protection, it can get heat damaged from the sun.
Does Artificial Grass Affect the Value of Your Property?
Both the interior and exterior of your property can affect its value. For example, according to a study on the impact of landscape design on house values, 68.2% of homebuyers agreed that landscape designs affect their decision in buying a house.
Artificial grass increases the value of your property by improving curb appeal; it can make your outside space attractive. In addition, it’s child and pet-friendly. Homebuyers with children and pets will want an environment where their kids can safely play and run around.
Also, people looking for houses to buy often look for ways to cut down on water bills. And artificial grass allows them to create a garden setting without worrying about water usage. Hence, they’re likely to buy your property if you’ve installed it.
Why Is Low-Quality Fake Grass Bad for Your Property?
You can choose low-quality artificial grass, but you’ll end up with problems that cost a lot of money to fix or replace. Also, fake grasses of lower quality may contain toxins that are released during the degradation of turf.
If you’re wondering how to identify poor-quality fake grass, check the following aspects:
Low-Quality Resin
One of the main materials used to produce artificial grass is resin. If your fake grass is fading or melting, there’s a high probability that low-quality resin was used to manufacture it.
Excessive Yarn Loss
When you notice excessive yarn loss in your artificial lawn, it may also be an indication that it was manufactured with low-quality materials. To test the durability of your grass, pull some blades of the artificial grass. If it doesn’t pull out easily, then it’s of high quality.
Thin Fibre
The whole idea of fake grass is to mimic real grass. Manufacturers use thick and wide blades to create that grass effect. So if the blades of your grass are too thin, they’re not of high quality.
Last Words
In this article, we discussed how beneficial artificial grass is to you as a homeowner. It isn’t costly to maintain and doesn’t require much attention.
On the other hand, using natural grass means paying more water bills and spending time and money to maintain your lawn.
Therefore, in designing your property’s landscape, use artificial grass and enjoy the benefits that come with it.