9 Problems With Artificial Grass: Is It Worth the Hassle?

Even as lawn alternatives take off across the country, there's a familiar plastic imitation that has found its way onto front lawns and sports fields. That being said, it's very important to consider the problems with artificial grass before investing in its hefty price tag. Artificial grass may initially look the part, but its effect on the environment, comfort level, and decreasingly stylish appearance are worth considering.

1. Heat Issues

If you’re a pet owner or have little kiddos who like to run around with bare feet, it’s important to consider that artificial grass can heat up on hot days—and potentially cause burns. Hot turf isn’t just a problem because it can burn your feet. Your turf can melt, but usually, it’s not from the weather. Most artificial turf can withstand temperatures up to 175 degrees to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, but the glare from an outdoor mirror, window (particularly low-E glass), or other reflective surfaces can make it much hotter.

2. Forever Chemicals (PFAs)

As the term PFAs—"forever chemicals"—has become a notorious household name, you may not want to spread them across your lawn. Most artificial grass manufacturers use a mixture of nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene. While these materials are pretty tough, they can break down from wear and tear, sending microplastics into the groundwater and sticking them to your skin and clothing. These materials also require fossil fuels during their manufacturing, making them a less-than-friendly choice for the environment. 

3. Drainage Problems

One of the most common problems with artificial grass is improper drainage. This can cause puddling, leading to a squishy, wet turf and isn’t comfortable or aesthetically pleasing to walk on. It can also damage it, reducing how long your artificial grass lasts.

Keep in mind that most artificial grass companies design the turf with a permeable weave to allow water to pass through as much as possible. However, encouraging the water to permeate the soil past this point is another story. It's important to mix the base soil with loose sediment to keep the soil from becoming too compacted over the years.

If soil compaction occurs, it's nearly impossible to fix without removing the artificial grass. The water can then pour away from your lawn and lead to a range of foundation water damage issues or problems with your surrounding planting beds.

4. Soil Damage

Installing artificial grass requires homeowners to remove their current turf and modify the top layer of soil with a permeable sub-base. Covering the soil with artificial grass doesn't always bode well for the long-term health of the soil. The high temperatures in the summer, poor ventilation, and constant foot traffic without amendments can leave the soil in rough shape.

In other words, if you or the next homeowner choose to return to a natural groundcover plant later on, it will take some time for the soil to rejuvenate. Natural turf allows you to aerate, fertilize, and reseed the grass twice per year.

5. Ongoing Appearance Issues

Artificial grass has certainly come a long way in the style department, but there's no question that installation issues can cause problems. Aligning the seams properly between rolls takes practice and patience, requiring hiring a local turf installer.

Additionally, drainage problems or sinkholes from local burrowing creatures can lead to patches of uneven ground. Lastly, artificial grass won't always hold up in the sunlight forever. If one side of your lawn gets more sun than the other, you'll end up with uneven coloring.

6. Effects on Wildlife

Most of our backyard visitors are not pests. Bees, butterflies, birds, and insects make up a balanced ecosystem aided by groundcover plants like grass. Without these pollinators and natural pest predators in your lawn, your surrounding flowers, shrubs, and trees can struggle. Additionally, heated artificial turf will be hard on the paws of any passing small animals without providing shelter from the sun.

7. Off-Putting Odors

Another one of the most common problems with artificial turf is an odor that’s less-than-fresh. 

Some brands let off a plastic smell, especially when they heat up. Additionally, the moment the local parade of pups walks by and leaves waste on your lawn, you will end up with some lingering odors. Lastly, it's important to consider the fresh aroma lost by not using ground cover plants. There's no way to take in the smell of morning dew with a plastic turf.

8. Difficult Disposal

Depending on the type of artificial grass you choose, you may not be able to recycle the materials when you're finished. A portion of the turf may be recyclable in your areas when properly separated, but in most cases, the turf ends up in a landfill. Junk disposal, particularly for large amounts of artificial grass, will also increase the price to remove or replace it.

9. Diminishing Quality

Take a moment to think about why we head outside into the backyard in the first place. The soft cushion of natural grass is a great place to play tag, set up a picnic, or kick back with a good book. 

While artificial turf can last up to two decades, it will not retain its beauty, comfort, and overall quality for this long. Artificial grass will begin to dry up, harden, and break down over time. Unlike natural grass, once the faux turf begins to go, there's not much you can do to revive it other than replacing the affected area.