Artificial Grass vs. Natural Grass – What Are the Differences?
Homeowners with lawns have to decide between natural grass or artificial turf. Both have pros and cons for things like look, cost, care, and effect on the environment. Knowing the key differences between artificial and natural grass can help make the choice easier. This article will show artificial grass vs natural grass to help you choose the best lawn options.
Key Differences Between Artificial And Natural Grass
Appearance
One obvious difference is how each looks. Natural grass is lush and green when cared for. These have different blade lengths, colors, and textures. It allows for custom landscape designs. Artificial turf mimics natural grass. But it lacks natural variations. Fake grass uses one blade type. It can seem unnatural up close. However, making synthetic turf has improved a lot over time. It looks more realistic now.
Natural grass changes with the seasons. It turns brown or yellow when dormant. Synthetic grass always stays vibrant green. Natural lawns get bare or thin spots from traffic. The artificial grass looks the same throughout. Overall, artificial grass can’t perfectly match natural grass. But it is an attractive alternative.
Maintenance
For maintenance, artificial grass beats natural grass. Once installed right, artificial grass needs little care. Just rinse dust and debris occasionally. Weeds, pests, and diseases don’t affect it.
It never needs mowing, watering, fertilizing, or other care. Natural grass needs regular mowing, watering, weeding, pest control, and more. Caring for a natural lawn takes a lot of work and money.
Water Use
Many homeowners like artificial turf because it saves water versus natural grass. Lawns use a lot of water, especially in hot, dry climates. Artificial grass needs no irrigation. Natural grass needs regular watering.
In peak summer, natural lawns may need watering multiple times per week. Depending on climate, artificial turf can save thousands of gallons yearly compared to watering natural grass. It makes it an eco-friendly choice for many.
Usability
An important factor is usability, or how well each works as a lawn. Natural grass is soft for kids and pets to play on. But natural grass can get mud and bare spots from traffic. Artificial grass typically drains well and holds up to heavy use.
But some types use infill like crumb rubber. It can get hot in the sun. Overall, natural grass is more comfortable for play. But artificial grass may work better for playgrounds, dog runs, or putting greens. These get heavy wear.
Durability
- Natural grass requires consistent care and maintenance to stay attractive and usable.
- Heavy foot traffic, pets, and recreational activities wear down natural grass over time.
- Artificial turf is quite durable and retains its appearance despite heavy usage.
- Well-made synthetic grass blades are UV-stabilized to prevent fading or deterioration.
- Quality artificial grass should retain its vibrant green color for up to 10+ years.
- Artificial lawns resist damage from pets, children playing, parties, and athletic activities.
- Artificial grass won’t get muddy or develop worn, bare spots like natural lawns.
Cost Comparison
Looking at cost shows a more balanced view. Artificial grass costs more upfront – $8-20 per square foot installed. Seeding natural lawns is $0.05-0.25 per square foot. But fake turf should last 10-25 years with little maintenance.
Natural grass needs regular care and reseeding. Factoring in ongoing mowing, fertilizing, watering, and replacing dead grass, natural lawns often cost more long-term than artificial ones. But for homeowners willing to work, natural grass can be cheaper upfront.
Environmental Impact
Natural and artificial turf both have environmental pros and cons. Natural grass is better for soil, absorbs carbon dioxide, and provides habitat. But it needs substantial water, mowing, fertilizers, and pesticides. Artificial grass needs no water or chemicals once installed. But it’s made of plastic and rubber from non-renewable sources. These make recycling or reusing fake turf hard.
There are also concerns about toxic infill materials. Overall, natural grass is likely the greener choice. But artificial turf can be an acceptable eco-friendly option. Proper installation and disposal are key.
Customization Possibilities
- Natural grass offers greater customization and variety in landscape design
- Can mix grass species and varieties to create unique textures and patterns
- Artificial turf has a more limited selection of blade lengths, colors, and thatch tones
- Most synthetic grass uses a single style of blade and infill material for consistency
- Still, some fake grasses offer different blade heights and colors to mimic natural grass
- Can install artificial grass in creative patterns and shapes not possible with sod
- Artificial grass allows flexibility for designs like putting greens that would be tricky with natural turf
Conclusion
Choosing the best choice from natural and artificial grass is not so easy. Natural grass looks better and is more eco-friendly. But artificial grass takes less work and water to maintain. Careful selection of materials and professional installation can reduce the impact of artificial turf. The decision depends on budget, needs, and preferences. Understanding the differences allows an informed landscaping decision.
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