For many homeowners, their lush lawn is their pride and joy. It’s the first thing neighbors and guests see, making it one of the most valuable parts of the home. While natural grass can dramatically boost curb appeal, there’s a lot of maintenance work behind the scenes. All the weeding, watering and mowing can take a toll on your hands and back.
That’s where artificial grass comes in. Resembling natural grass, you can use it to beautify your property without the backbreaking maintenance work. You don’t have to worry about technicalities like “When is the best time of day to fertilize your lawn?” Contact lawn care professionals if you want the look of a sprawling, pristine lawn minus the stress. They will install artificial grass in your yard and make it look seamless.
Turf Versus Artificial Grass: Pros and Cons
While artificial and turf grass are both synthetic, their main difference lies in their usage. Artificial grass is designed for residential and commercial properties and looks more like natural grass than turf. Meanwhile, turf grass is for sports fields. It can handle a lot of use without looking worn out, a trait it doesn’t share with artificial grass. Here’s a closer look at the two.
Artificial Grass
Artificial grass, pictured above, is a low-maintenance alternative to natural grass with a water-efficient surface. Its popularity is through the roof and is now a common sight in homes, malls, restaurants and hotels. Artificial grass is made with polypropylene, polyethylene or nylon woven into a mesh atop an infill system.
It’s ideal for homeowners who want the look and feel of natural grass without costly maintenance. It’s also great for families with pets or children who like playing outside. However, artificial grass does better in low-traffic areas. It looks bushier that way and lasts longer. Here are its pros if you’re considering installing it in your yard.
Little Downtime
With most lawns, you must wait hours or days to use them again after heavy rain. There’s not as much downtime with artificial grass. It dries out quickly and isn’t a shelter for pests, allowing you to get more usage out of it.
Low Maintenance
Natural grass can be finicky. It can die even if you provide the best care. You don’t have to worry about keeping artificial grass alive. With little maintenance, you can keep it in excellent condition for years.
Natural Look
Artificial grass has come a long way, looking more realistic than ever. The blades come in various lengths to mimic the appearance of natural grass. It’s soft under the feet and even sways in the wind.
Versatility
Because of its realistic look, you can place artificial grass anywhere that needs a pop of green. That can be in your yard, balcony or sunroom.
However, artificial grass does have some cons. These include the following.
Wears Down With Time
While artificial grass scores high in looks, it doesn’t fare as well in durability. It’ll start looking flat if you place it in a high-traffic area.
Higher Upfront Cost
Artificial grass can last several years with proper maintenance, saving you tons of money on water, fertilizer, seeding and mowing. However, the upfront cost can be more of an investment.
Dirt and Bacteria
While you don’t have to water, fertilize or mow artificial grass, you do need to clean it regularly. Otherwise, dirt and bacteria will build up over time.
Turf Grass
The main goal of artificial grass is to beautify a space. Meanwhile, turf grass, pictured above, is for heavy wear and tear. You’ll spot it in sports fields, putting greens, dog parks and playgrounds. It’s the better pick if longevity matters more than looks.
Like artificial grass, turf grass is made with polypropylene, polyethylene or nylon. However, it has shorter and denser fibers for added strength. Here are some of its pros.
Durability
Turf grass can take on the harshest sports. Children and pets will be no problem since it can handle pro athletes. With its durability, you can expect to get 15 years out of it, even in rough conditions.
Low Maintenance
Like artificial grass, turf grass doesn’t need much care. You don’t have to worry about watering or mowing schedules.
Here is a look at some of turf grass’ cons.
Unrealistic Look
Unlike artificial grass, turf grass doesn’t look as realistic. Its blades are short and uniform in length, easily giving it away.
High Upfront Cost
Turf grass is pricier upfront than natural grass. While it’s an investment, it can save you a significant amount in maintenance costs.
Dirt and Bacteria
Since turf grass is for sports, pets and recreational activities, it can accumulate dirt and bacteria with continuous use. Clean it regularly to keep it looking nice.
Are you trying to decide between turf and artificial grass? For homeowners who want to impress their family and friends with a beautiful lawn, you can’t go wrong with artificial grass. It’s a low-maintenance, realistic alternative to natural grass. Contact a lawn care specialist for proper installation and maintenance.
Can Water Drain Through Artificial Grass?
If you’re installing artificial grass, you might wonder what happens to the water when it rains. The good news is that artificial grass drains and does it better than natural grass.
Artificial grass has a backing designed to be porous, letting more water through than natural grass. Drainage holes, permeable pores, blade coating and drainage systems are some ways artificial grass drains. Top-quality artificial grass can have a drain rate of up to 1,200 inches per hour, which is more than enough for any season.
While artificial grass has excellent drainage, you might experience flooding issues during the rainy season if it is incorrectly installed. Water always needs somewhere to go, leading to problems if your base layer can’t handle much of it. You likely don’t have to worry about this if your area has well-draining soil. However, you’ll have to put more thought into drainage if you’re already experiencing flooding in your lawn before installation.
Contact lawn care professionals to assess your lawn and prepare it for efficient drainage. They will install your artificial grass correctly, so you don’t have to worry about flooding and other drainage issues. Lawn care specialists can also return for regular maintenance checks to keep your grass in excellent shape. These pros might even have other low-maintenance modern front yard landscaping ideas to share with you.
What Should You Not Put on Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass is the no-frills version of natural grass. It adds the same beauty to your lush green beauty to your property sans the expensive upkeep. While you don’t have to bother with watering, seeding or fertilizing, that doesn’t mean artificial grass doesn’t require any care. It still needs some maintenance to keep its perfect form.
In addition, there are some things you should never put on artificial grass, including the following.
Barbecue Grills and Fireworks
You’ll want to find a different spot for barbecue parties. Stray coal can damage your artificial grass, leading to premature replacement. Fireworks are another no-no for the same reason.
Your Car
While artificial grass can withstand playful children and pets, they’re nowhere durable enough to take on your car’s weight. Even if you drive slowly, your tires will pull out the fibers. Also, car oil and artificial grass don’t mix well.
Chewing Gum
It’s a nightmare to have chewing gum stuck to artificial grass. Some natural remedies might work if you catch it early. But if the gum has been there too long, your only option might be to cut the affected blades. That will leave an unsightly bald spot on your lawn that won’t grow back.
Furniture With Sharp Legs
While there’s nothing wrong with beautifying your lawn, stay away from furniture with sharp legs. These pointy edges can split the blades or pull them out. They can even damage your artificial grass’s underlayer. Go for furniture with wide and flat legs.
Leave Lawn Care to the Pros
It can be extra challenging to care for a lawn with natural grass. It involves many questions like “Aerating versus dethatching: what’s the difference? While artificial grass is much easier to maintain, it still needs TLC. Whether you have natural or artificial grass, you can leave the upkeep to a lawn care specialist. They have the tools and expertise to keep your lawn in impeccable shape.
ABC Can Create The Yard Of Your Dreams
If you’re the type of homeowner who relishes a beautiful yard but doesn’t look forward to the work that goes into creating it, ABC Home & Commercial Services can install artificial turf so you can have a low-maintenance yard. Afterward, our team of lawn care service experts can help you maintain it so your yard retains its curb appeal.
