Astro Turf Chic
Anyone that grew up in the 60s and 70s will tell you that “back in the day” artificial grass was the best thing since sliced bread, only to eventually be the first thing removed by a new homeowner in the 80s and 90s. Go figure.
Now it seems to have found its way back into sophisticated home décor designs.
So why is that? One big reason is that the technology has improved to the point where it’s less like carpet made from green plastic twist ties and more like the annoying neighbor's perfect lawn. It can look pretty darn real!
As with any topic, there are two sides. So, let’s talk about the pros and cons of replacing your man-managed grass with the man-made kind before you run out to your back yard and start digging up what thirsty blades you have left in this summer heat.
THE PROS:
Low Maintenance
This one is hard to argue with. No more mowing, raking, weeding, edging and picking grass burrs off your shoelaces. Oh, and no more watering (see next point). Once installed, you simply enjoy with an occasional spin on the leaf blower.
Water Savings
For those of us in Texas, it goes without saying that the water savings is one of the largest advantages. It is a great way to conserve water in our hot summer months, especially in areas of substantial growth with concern for water capacities.
Clean
Imagine, no more muddy shoe prints coming in the house, grass being tracked in after mowing, grass burrs stuck in the carpet. Artificial grass is easy to clean, too. Just get the water hose out.
Longevity
Its durability makes the investment much easier to consider. Most turf will last an average of 10-20 years depending on the manufacturer and type. Plus, some even come with guarantees. Install and forget about it.
Appearance
This is not your grandma's screened-in porch turf. These days, artificial grass can be very realistic. It’s always green and has that beautifully-manicured look so many homeowners crave.
Comfort
Artificial grass is very pet and child friendly. It’s so soft you can run around with bare feet. No grass allergies to worry about for anyone with skin sensitivities.
Better for the environment
Anyone that is “pro-turf” will be in the camp that it’s better for the environment because of the significant water savings and the almost 100% absence of weed killers, fertilizers other chemicals that typically get poured onto your residential soil.
THE CONS:
Worse for the environment
Yep, there’s two sides to every coin. Anyone that is “anti-turf” will be in the camp that it’s worse for the environment because of the amount of plastic. Not only is it covering more of the natural earth with plastic, but the material itself can harm the underlying soil in two ways. First, it can seep particles of polypropylene or nylon (polymide) into and/or through the soil causing more microplastic pollution. Secondly, because sunlight and natural organic elements cannot penetrate the turf, there is no food for burrowing insects or soil dwellers. In addition, while there are companies that sell “used turf” it can be hard or virtually impossible to recycle.
It Can get hot
Turf can be up to 10 degrees hotter than the real stuff. Just throwing that in there.
Drainage issues
When installing, you need to be careful with drainage on sloped areas more so than with natural grass since there is not as much natural absorption.
Cost
Simply said, for a great looking lawn, sod is much cheaper than artificial grass. However, as we mentioned above, if you’re aiming for a pristine-looking lawn, it’s going to require much more maintenance.
It’s not real
Last but certainly not least — it’s just not the real thing. This might be on someone’s pro list, but the bragging rights for an impressive lawn of real grass far outweighs its artificial neighbor.
At the end of the day, do your research. Understand your options as there are many varieties of artificial grass available and proper installation is important to avoid ripples, and wear.
Whether you are considering selling or acquiring property, we would love to be your trusted real estate partner and advisor. At Fredericksburg Realty and Texas Ranch Realty, we stand by our word, our authenticity and treat each client like family.
Visit us at fredericksburgrealty.com or call us at 830-997-6531.
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