Advantages and Disadvantages of Artificial Grass in your Home

Artificial grass, also known as synthetic grass, is gaining popularity for being maintenance-free and eco-friendly. In fact, this generation of grass is good enough to fool us into thinking whether it is real or artificial.

However, let me ask you — are you extolling the qualities of artificial grass without having it in your lawn or backyard?

We understand that the thought of a lawn that doesn’t require you to spend money on its maintenance is pretty amazing, but think about it for a minute.

There’s a high possibility that when people learn the whole truth about artificial grass, it will end up in a file labeled “too good to be true.”

Yes, artificial grass is a type of grass for drought-prone climates and, to be honest, a great alternative to traditional grass.

However, you need to look at the bigger picture. We are not saying that you shouldn’t invest in it, but do weigh the good and the bad before making a decision.

Following are a few pros and cons of artificial grass that will clear the air for you:

Pros of Artificial Grass

Non-Toxic

One of the best things about artificial grass is that it’s non-toxic. The materials used in the making of the grass are of high quality. In order to mimic the feel and look of real grass, great care is taken during the manufacturing stage.

Water Conservation

In some states, such as Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, and Colorado, the water restrictions are too strict.

When it comes to artificial grass, water consumption automatically reduces. The aesthetic standard of the grass remains, you conserve water, it’s budget-friendly, and it’s eco-friendly. What more could you ask for!

Non-Allergic

Say goodbye to grass pollen. Since fake grass does not grow, you can enjoy your yard in every season. This brings us back to the point — no maintenance problems, which saves your time and money.

Durability

To make sure that artificial grass maintains its beauty, it is made with extremely durable materials that can withstand wear and tear. It is dig-proof for varmints and dogs, fade-resistant, exceptionally stain-resistant, and won’t faint from the corners.

No Chemical Residues

You don’t need fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides to keep the artificial grass clean, bug-free, and beautiful. This makes it a safe environmental option, as well as safe for your family. A little sprinkle of water to make it shine works just fine.

Safer Surface

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Over time, natural grass develops humps and dips, which can cause injuries through trips and falls when your children are playing and running.

Since artificial grass is smooth all over and remains that way for its life, you don’t need to worry about any injuries. Some artificial grass rolls come with FallSoft® technology that provides a smoother surface and reduces the risk of injuries.

Return on Investment

Artificial grass comes in various qualities. The cost is measured in per square foot, which can be between $5 and $20. The upfront cost might seem hefty, but the return on investment is pretty great.

Since artificial grass is easy to maintain, you don’t need to spend money on water and fertilizers. Still you should clean your artificial grass once every season, and more if you have dogs. Instead of using a hose, just splash a bucket of water and use a broom to remove the dirt.

Cons of Artificial Grass

Surface Heat

In drought-prone climates, temperature gets very high and this can make artificial grass pretty hot. Even with the FallSoft® technology, the stored heat can cause burns.

If the infill is not of good quality, the surface temperature can exponentially. While the artificial grass won’t light up, it will melt if charcoal falls on it. The good news is that the grass is repairable.

Odor Build-Up

If mess such as dog poop or dirty water is not cleaned from the artificial grass, it will fester. There are some infills that hold odors, so there’s that.

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Toxic Run-Off

Water from infill is not that toxic. There are plenty of options other than rubber, but since we are talking about artificial grass here, there’s a possibility that toxic residue might settle in the infill.

Summary

One thing you need to keep in mind when weighing the pros and cons of artificial grass is that not all artificial grass materials are equal.

Professional installation is another factor that affects the life of artificial grass. If the corners are not laid down properly, artificial grass can get displaced.

The good news is that artificial grass can be laid down on turf, soil, paving, concrete, tarmac, and decking.

Make sure there’s no vegetable material in the soil before laying down artificial grass or it will rot. Now that you have all the information, you can make an informed decision. If you are looking for more informative articles on landscape designing ideas like this, then visit Epic Home Ideas.