Which grass is always greener—real or synthetic?
Synthetic grass is more expensive to install, but more economical over the long haul.
Artificial turf requires no watering or weeding.
Synthetic grass always looks healthy and is usable virtually all the time.
Synthetic lawns can trap bacteria.
Artificial grass can get very hot in the summer.
You’re trying to decide whether to outfit your yard with synthetic or real grass. To help you make the call, read on for the pros and cons of artificial grass. Then, get ready to install and savor your new turf.
| Pros of Artificial Grass | Cons of Artificial Grass |
|---|---|
| Little to no maintenance | Can be vulnerable to damage |
| Ideal in shady or sloped areas | Can trap bacteria |
| Always looks green and healthy | Hot in the summer |
| Cost-effective in the long run | Expensive to install |
| Lasts for around 20 – 25 years | Can cause health issues |
| Various styles to pick from | Isn’t eco-friendly |
Synthetic grass offers many advantages. Keep reading to learn more about artificial grass pros and cons.
Live grass requires regular watering and weeding (and sometimes fertilizing), which will rack up your water bills and charges from your local gardener. In contrast, artificial turf doesn’t need any of this TLC. That’s why it’s ideal in low-water landscape designs and areas where drought is an issue.
Plus, with synthetic turf, you won’t need to deal with burrowers digging up parts of your lawn. As an added perk, since fake grass doesn’t stain clothing, there’ll be no need to spend as much time in the laundry room.
If grass doesn’t see the light of day regularly, it will die. That’s why artificial grass is perfect under trampolines. It’s also a smart choice in steeply graded sections of your yard, since they’re difficult to access, mow, and weed. Ask your local artificial grass company to install synthetic grass in those areas.
Sometimes, real grass develops brown and patchy spots. In contrast, artificial turf always appears bright green, with no empty spots. Plus, the height is perpetually ideal since fake grass never grows too long and looks unkempt.
The initial cost of artificial turf averages about $4,700 for materials and installation. Yet artificial turf will require a smaller cash outlay over the long haul. No watering, weeding, or fertilizing means almost no maintenance costs.
When seeded grass yards are wet, they’re muddy and easily damaged. On the other hand, synthetic turf dries quickly after rain, meaning it can serve as a play surface almost all the time. Similarly, since you won’t need to spray your artificial grass with fertilizers or deal with side effects from pesticides, it won’t be off-limits at times.
High-quality artificial grass can last 20 to 25 years. If any areas become damaged over time, you can always refill those patches.
There are plenty of different artificial grass types to choose from, including different colors, textures, and blade lengths to customize your lawn.
Unfortunately, the many pros come with some cons. We list some of the most common problems with artificial grass and disadvantages below.
With synthetic grass, you do need to make that upfront investment.
Since synthetic grass absorbs heat, it can become very hot and uncomfortable to walk on during the warmer months. If you have artificial grass around your pool, you’ll want to hose it down before walking on it and plant trees to keep it shaded.
Artificial turf is a petroleum-based product. This means it can off-gas and potentially lead to health issues like asthma and delayed development in children.
Some manufacturers produce artificial turf with recycled materials (like old tires or plastic bottles). Still, water runoff from synthetic grass can sometimes carry chemicals to water sources. Plus, artificial lawn is not biodegradable and will end up in a landfill.
Unfortunately, artificial grass can trap blood, skin, and animal waste and become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, like staphylococcus. If you have pets, you will need to clean dog urine from artificial grass on a regular basis to keep things more sanitary.
If you install artificial grass in a high-traffic area with a lot of direct desert sunlight, it will deteriorate more quickly.
Whether this grass alternative is worth the investment is up to your individual preferences and needs. If you have limited time or desire to spend on lawn care like watering, fertilizing, reseeding, mowing, and more, artificial grass could be the perfect solution for you.
It’s also great for smaller patches of lawn where you want beautiful year-round green grass without the effort. However, faux grass gets hot and will cost more to install upfront. Weigh the pros and cons of artificial grass before deciding what’s right for you, your family, and furry friends.
You can install artificial grass on bare dirt, with compacted sandy soil being the best choice. You can also install it on concrete, but make sure it’s in good condition first. You’ll also want to install a layer of sand or tile between the turf and concrete. Another option to install faux grass is decking—just make sure it’s in prime condition before laying the grass down.
For artificial turf that’s the most durable, look for heat-resistant products with thicker blades. Keep in mind that there’s a difference between artificial grass versus artificial turf, with turf consisting of a shorter look while artificial grass is longer and more closely resembles real grass.
No, you shouldn’t vacuum artificial grass, particularly if you lay your synthetic grass with infill. Vacuuming could suction it up and loosen the connection between the grass and the ground.
