Real vs Artificial Grass

Artificial grass or real grass? If you are doing any work in the garden, or if you are simply tired of your grass dying and browning every year when you're ready to start planning, you've probably gone through this debate in the past. Here we'll discuss the differences between artificial and live grass, the benefits and cons of each, some of the cost aspects you should consider, as well as any other factors worth mentioning. If you are ready to work on your summer garden, this post will point you in the right direction when choosing your turfing material.

Pros & Cons of Real

The obvious benefit of a live lawn is the beauty of real grass. It is aesthetically appealing, it is bright green (when well nourished), and it will truly stand out when you have a well-maintained lawn and garden. But, how about the homeowner who can't mow the lawn every week, or can't properly add soil and nutrients, to ensure it grows evenly and is sustainable for the entire summer season?

Although the benefit of real grass and aesthetic appeal is something which will draw in many buyers, there are also a number of drawbacks you should consider if you are debating whether or not to invest in live lawn grass. First off, the cost is higher. We're not talking about the initial upfront cost, as this is fairly low, but the ongoing maintenance that comes along with it. Lawn and garden fertilizer, soil, enhancers, weed killers, and most important, time (not to mention aching joints and muscles!). Add in the fact that you'll have to mow the lawn regularly and pull weeds routinely to maintain it, and you're going to be spending quite a bit of time outdoors, tending to your garden.

If you have the time, financial resources, and temperament to take care of a real lawn, you are greatly going to prefer the live grass and the aesthetic appeal it brings with it. However, you do have to consider the costs; not only the financial, but also the amount of time it is going to take for you to maintain the garden, and the amount of work you are going to have to do in order to naturally preserve the space.

Estimated Material Cost

Pros & Cons of Artificial

There is an obvious appeal with artificial grass... you don't have to do any maintenance work! If you are the type of individual who simply does not have time for watering, mowing, and general lawn and garden work, you will truly appreciate how easy it is going to be for you to maintain a lawn and garden area which has artificial turf installed. You simply have to lay it out, and once it is properly installed, there is no need to weed, mow, or to water the garden regularly, as is the case with real grass.

It also holds its form well. As long as you buy high-quality turf, it isn't prone to damage from walking on it. You don't have to worry about weeds or other plants growing, since it is not live, and it isn't being fertilised, and is obviously sealed. It is expected to last up to 25-years in some instances; so, although it is going to cost more upfront, it will last for years to come.

There are some drawbacks as well. It is not as Eco-friendly, depending on the manufacturer you purchase from, as it is made with recycled and un-recycled materials. It tends to be harder, so if you fall or slip on it, you will feel it, and it might result in scrapes or nicks, which isn't the case with live grass. You can also see the textured patterns, so it can be easy to spot artificial lawn if a budget material is used.

It is a good option for those who don't have time to garden regularly, but there are also some detractors which should be taken into consideration.

Estimated Material Cost

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