Photo from Wikipedia.
Artificial lawn, also referred to as fake grass or grass carpet, is composed of the base with infill and the synthetic grass itself to resemble a natural-looking landscape, either for sports, aesthetic, or practical purposes.
Although created initially for sports stadiums and indoor arenas, the appeal of artificial lawn has now extended to private areas, including residential and commercial lands.
If you are toying with the idea of installing this on your land, you would do well to look at both sides of the coin before deciding. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of fake grass:
Pros of artificial lawns
1. Low maintenance
How many times do you have to water your lawn? How many hours does it take to mow your lawn? As you spend more time in the office than at home, taking care of a natural lawn becomes more of a burden that may often result in overgrown grass and an unkempt garden.
Synthetic lawn would be a good fit for those who are leading a very active lifestyle, parents taking care of young children, or those who no longer have the vitality to tend to their homes. You do not need to regularly water the grass, pull out weeds, and mow the area. More than saving you those precious hours, it also saves you the cost of regular maintenance.
2. Friendly to the environment
One of the many benefits of artificial grass is its contribution to helping the environment. Without the need to water it, you will save costs on your water utility bills every month while helping to restrict water usage.
Pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals used to maintain the grass—which may be harmful to your health—will be unnecessary. Since you won’t need to use lawn mowers, which run on petrol, you will no longer leave carbon footprints from your home.
3. Long-term gains
Any homeowner will not invest in any form of house renovation without long-term benefits. If you are fond of hosting small parties or opening your home to events with friends, you will be hard-pressed to maintain a beautiful lawn as people tend to trample on grass. However, synthetic grass can withstand high traffic, be it your friends dancing on the lawn or your kids running around.
Furthermore, you do not need to shell out cash on a regular basis for the replanting needs of natural grass. Your will have a manicured lawn for years, as this can withstand wear and tear for a good eight to ten years.
If you own pets, an artificial lawn will also be beneficial as it cannot be easily dug up by dogs and other animals. They will not have muddy paws either, even when it rains.
Cons of Artificial Lawns
1. May not fit your preferences
The appeal of synthetic grass is also the very thing that puts it at a disadvantage. While it is convenient for homeowners, you will never be able to replicate the feel and smell of real grass. With its installation, you may miss the scent of freshly cut grass and watered earth.
The finished lawn may also not resemble the ideal lawn that you have in mind with regards to color and overall appearance. When going for fake grass, be sure to check first how it would look instead of just going straight to installation.
2. Increases in temperature
During the summer or in areas with dry climates, the surface of artificial lawns will increase in temperature as the heat of the sun bears down on it. This can result in you or your family feeling uncomfortable walking on the grass. You can put a source of shade (e.g. umbrellas) on selected areas to shield it from the heat or cool it down a bit with water.
3. Toxic hazard
Although it has yet to be proven, synthetic grass has been said to be made using toxic elements like lead and zinc. Make sure that your manufacturer has passed the health and safety standards of accredited organizations.
As with every decision, it is always imperative to weigh your options so you will come up with an informed decision at the end of the day. What are your thoughts regarding artificial lawns? Share them with us at the comments below!
Author Bio: Gabby Roxas is a freelance writer and interior designer for Aolartificialgrass. She also has a background in marketing and entrepreneurship.
