The Pros and Cons of Artificial Grass in Your Landscaping

Artificial grass has both benefits and downsides, but deciding on artificial grass is a personal decision.

There was a time in the 1960s when artificial grass, also known by the brand name AstroTurf, looked like it was going to take over the world. At that time, homeowners marveled at the ability to have synthetic grass that looked convincingly like the real thing.

Now, whether or not artificial turf ever looked like real grass is up for debate, especially considering the quality of manufacturing components in the 1960s. What remains true, however, is that some people still choose artificial grass for inclusion in their landscaping.

At Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features, we’re not here to tell you whether you should or should not use artificial grass at your home or business. We serve customers in the Rock Hill SC area who have artificial grass, and while we love working with the real thing, artificial grass can be a landscaping solution for some people.

If you’re currently wondering whether you should take the plunge and use artificial turf for your landscaping, below are some of the pros and cons we like to point out to our customers to help them make informed decisions:

Artificial grass comes with a number of benefits for your landscaping & outdoor living space.

The Pros of Artificial Grass

Low Maintenance

One of the most significant advantages of artificial grass is its low maintenance requirements. Unlike natural grass, which requires regular mowing, watering, and fertilizing to maintain its appearance, artificial grass requires minimal upkeep. Occasional brushing and rinsing are generally all that’s required to keep the fibers upright and looking great.

Less Water Usage

Natural grass requires water to maintain strength and health. For some of our customers in Rock Hill, this means installing irrigation system components and planning out installation for sod and other soil and foliage. Artificial grass requires no watering aside from the occasional cleaning, meaning you save on water bills and conserve water for the Rock Hill community.

With increasing concerns about water scarcity and the need to reduce water usage in landscaping, artificial grass offers a water-saving solution. Unlike natural grass, which requires regular watering to stay green and healthy, artificial grass does not need to be watered, making it an environmentally friendly option for drought-prone areas like Rock Hill, SC.

Artificial grass holds its color and beauty all year long

Year-Round Beauty and Color

We have some mild temperatures in Rock Hill during the fall and winter, but grass still dies or goes dormant depending on the type of grass and how you care for your landscaping. Artificial grass maintains year-round color no matter the season, and this can be a big plus for homeowners who want to skip the hassle of preparing the landscaping for the colder temperatures each year.

Durability

We’re including durability on our list because we often run into landscaping that has been worn down with time. Natural walkways, for example, can become shabby and unkempt with years of use, but artificial grass maintains its strength year after year. If you’re concerned about a high-traffic outdoor living space, artificial grass may be a good option for you.

Allergy-Friendly

Lastly, artificial turf is a good alternative to natural grass for people with outdoor or seasonal allergies. Because artificial grass contains no histamine-causing offshoots, allergy sufferers can rest easier with landscaping that includes artificial grass.

Despite the benefits, there are some downsides that come along with artificial grass

Cons of Artificial Grass

The Initial Cost

The cost of artificial grass can be a concern for homeowners on a budget. In most cases, installing artificial turf instead of natural grass or sod will be more expensive. Some of this cost can be offset in time due to the low-maintenance factors we mentioned above, but the initial cost can be a bit tough to swallow for some people.

Heat Retention

If you’ve ever walked barefoot across a synthetic surface after it’s sat in the sun all day, you already know that synthetic materials can become scorching hot. Natural grass gets hot too, but anywhere near as hot as artificial grass. If you plan to spend a lot of time in your outdoor living space during the summer months with no shoes on, artificial grass may not be the best solution for comfort.

Artificial grass can do a convincing job of mimicking natural grass, but it can’t outdo the real thing

Lack of Natural Aesthetic

As we mentioned above, we’re not in the business of telling people what looks good and what doesn’t when it comes to selecting materials for their landscaping. Our landscapers are happy to offer design guidance based on experience and knowledge, but we aren’t here to tell you what looks good and what doesn’t. After all, this is your outdoor living space, not ours.

With that said, artificial turf does lack the natural aesthetic of grass. From a distance, it can look rather convincing, but up close, it’s usually easy to tell that artificial grass is synthetic. This doesn’t mean it looks bad, but it does mean that artificial turf may not be for you if you’re going for a natural look in your outdoor living space.

Environmental Impact

Although we just talked about how artificial turf conserves water and is therefore good for the environment, the flipside is that the manufacturing process may be a problem for the environment. Artificial grass is usually made from plastic derivatives, meaning petroleum is needed to manufacture it.

Additionally, artificial turf isn’t really biodegradable, so it can hand around for many years. This may or may not be a big deal to you, but these are factors to keep in mind. which can contribute to landfill waste at the end of its lifespan. Additionally, the manufacturing process of artificial grass requires energy and resources, further impacting the environment.

The decision to use artificial grass comes down to personal preference and goals for your outdoor living space

Should You Get Artificial Grass?

There are pros and cons to using artificial grass in your landscaping, and what matters most to you is a personal decision. At Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features, our goal is always to provide our customers with outdoor solutions for water features, landscaping, and hardscaping. How you direct our team to accomplish your goals is up to you, but we’re with you every step of the way.

Contact Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features in Rock Hill SC

To learn more about solutions to give you the outdoor living space of your dreams, contact the experienced landscapers at Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features. Our team will be happy to provide you with options to bring your vision to life! Call us today to schedule your free- no-obligation estimate at (803) 371-2324, or use our contact form to reach us on the web.