4 Reasons to Switch to Artificial Grass
BY CARMEN DEXTER | AUGUST 4TH, 2022 | BLOG
If lawn care’s got you down, consider artificial grass. There are a number of reasons to switch to artificial grass. It conserves water, it’s durable and may be more cost-effective over time.
In this article we’ll highlight four reasons to switch to artificial grass – and some of the drawbacks of manufactured or fake turf.
Benefits of Switching to Artificial Grass
Synthetic turf is made from stronger materials today than it was 30 years ago. Manufacturers attach the individual blades to a backing, much like a carpet that you roll out over a prepared yard space. Artificial grass has vastly improved and looks more like the real thing these days.
Aside from saving you hours of yard work, there are numerous benefits of switching to artificial turf.
Conserves water
With synthetic grass, you don’t have to worry about sprinklers. You’ll help the planet and significantly reduce your water bill.
One-third of the country is suffering from drought right now. The government estimates Americans use 9 billion gallons a day watering our lawns. We waste much of it due to wind, evaporation, and runoff.
Low-maintenance
You can get rid of the mower, weedeater, and edger. With artificial turf, you’ll never have to worry about lawn care.
However low-maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. You’ll want to keep your garden hose handy, especially if you have pets. You will have to spend about 15 minutes a week keeping it clean with a few minimal chores.
- Pick up debris/pet waste
- Hose the artificial grass down
- Brush up the artificial grass blades
- Spot clean
Durable
If you can afford the initial cost to switch to fake grass, landscapers estimate it will pay for itself in 2-5 years.
Maintaining natural grass is a constant expense; mowing, seeding, fertilizing, weeding, and more. Artificial turf requires a significant investment upfront for installation but costs very little to maintain.
Once installed, synthetic grass requires only a regular hosing down. If you have an incident where part of the turf is damaged, you can replace just a section.
FAQ’s about artificial grass
1. Does fake grass get warmer than natural grass?
Yes. Artificial turf gets on average 5-10 degrees hotter than natural grass on a hot day. You can compensate for this by making sure sections of the synthetic lawn are in the shade.
2. Is artificial grass flammable?
No! While the blades of fake grass can and will melt from sparks from a fire pit or grill, synthetic turf is not flammable and will not burst into flames. If a small section of the lawn gets damaged by excessive heat, you can easily replace it.
3. Can I install artificial grass on top of my existing lawn?
No. In order to have a lawn that drains well when it rains or snows, you should install fake grass over rocks or stones on the ground after removing existing natural grass has been dug out.
4. Can I have artificial grass in snowy areas?
Yes, freezing temperatures and snow don’t affect fake grass. Allow snow to melt naturally and drain through your synthetic lawn’s drainage system.
Don’t have the time or energy to install an artificial lawn? We can find a landscaping pro near you to install it for you.