As homeowners, we want to make sure that our homes look their very best, inside and out. We take pride in our lawns and gardens, some of us spending thousands of dollars a year just to maintain appearances. A good-looking home can help you feel more at peace and increase your resale value.

As artificial turf, or fake grass, grows in popularity, there’s been much debate about whether it’s better than natural grass. While both can get you the lawn and yard you’ve always dreamed of, they both have very different benefits and cons that you have to consider. Let’s take a look at the basic differences between artificial turf and natural grass.

Appearance and aesthetic

Artificial grass looks and feels like real grass if it’s made correctly. In terms of differences, artificial grass can actually look better than natural grass. Natural grass is susceptible to weeds and can turn yellow from pets and droughts. Artificial grass doesn’t do this, it’ll stay the same color no matter how little rain you experience. The one thing artificial grass can’t replicate is the smell of natural grass, but if that’s not a deal-breaker for you then artificial grass may be better if you want to keep up appearances.

Price

Artificial grass can cost a lot of money when you first put it in. It can cost anywhere from $5 to $17 per square foot. This can rack up depending on how much lawn you have to fill with artificial turf. You don’t have this same upfront cost with a regular lawn, but it still costs money to maintain. Real lawns need to be fertilized and weeded occasionally, as well as trimmed with a lawnmower to keep them looking nice. At the end of the day though, if you did a cost-by-cost comparison on what both cost over the span of ten or fifteen years, it would probably add up to about the same.

Maintenance

This is one of those parts here where artificial grass takes the win hands down. Artificial grass needs very little maintenance. All it requires is debris removal or the occasional rinse if you have pets who use the bathroom. This is not the case for natural grass.

Real grass grows constantly and needs to be cut at least once a week to prevent it from overgrowing. It also needs lots of water, fertilizer, and weed management to keep it from deteriorating. To see just how much work it can be to maintain an amazing yard, click here.

Considering all that is involved with real grass, artificial grass is much easier to take care of. If you don’t mind the extra work and find it therapeutic, then natural grass might be a better option for you.

Time

Natural grass can last you a long time, if and only if, it’s properly maintained. Heat, snow, and sun can all impact the lifespan of natural grass and if you don’t properly protect it and maintain it the best you can, it won’t look nice year-round.

Artificial grass can last over a decade, two decades if you’re lucky and aren’t overusing it. It doesn’t need any maintenance for upkeep, so you don’t have to give more time up to maintain your yard.

Environmental factors

While grass helps absorb carbon dioxide in the air, it’s minimal. We actually use a lot more carbon dioxide to maintain our lawns by using lawnmowers. We also use a ton of water to maintain our health, which can have a negative impact on our environment. Artificial grass doesn’t need a lawnmower or water to maintain its appearance, so they’re environmentally friendly.

The only thing you should be aware of is that natural grass provides food and shelter for animals. If you like seeing birds, squirrels, or butterflies on your lawn, then you’ll miss this if you get artificial turf. Alternatively, if you’re looking to rid yourself of insects and pests, then artificial turf is the perfect solution for you.

Kids and Pets

Kids and pets love running and playing in yards. It’s in their nature. While regular grass is soft and perfect for eating or digging for pets, it can create a bit of a mess when you let your dog back inside the house covered in grass and dirt. Natural grass is also treated with fertilizers, pest controllers, and weed killers, which can be harmful to kids and pets rolling in it.

Artificial grass doesn’t get treated with any of this, which means that you don’t have to worry about them getting dangerous chemicals on their skin, clothes, or fur. Most kids don’t care about the slight differences in feel in artificial turf because they’re too busy having the time of their life playing outdoor games. For ideas on outdoor games, you can play with your kids on your front or back lawn, follow the link. https://www.wired.com/2009/08/simpleoutdoorplay/