April 27th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Artificial grass can be tempting for those who are looking for a lawn maintenance alternative to a natural lawn but don’t want a completely grassless yard, and while a big investment they certainly are a great choice for many people but before you make the switch we will go over all the up’s and downs of an artificial lawn to hopefully help you make the best choice.

What is artificial grass?

Let’s start from the very beginning and explain in a little bit more depth what exactly artificial grass is. Most often you will find artificial turn installed on sports fields but it has certainly become more popular in recent terms as an alternative to a natural lawn in many homes – this is in most part due to its relatively low maintenance upkeep.

These artificial lawns are made up of individual blades of grass made with polyethene (plastic) fibres that are bound together using rubber infill granules – these give the texture the ability to compress and raise just like real grass when stepped on. These lawns come in a range of shades with darker shades often looking more natural.

Should I Consider Artificial Grass?

As mentioned if you are looking for something that is a little more low-maintenance it can be beneficial for those who don’t have time to spend in the garden or the means to hire a gardener to conduct regular maintenance.  It is also a great choice for those who live in an area with poor growth which can result in grass looking patchy and discoloured – while this can be fixed with fertiliser it can be a lengthy process and will need to constantly be maintained which can become quite expensive over time. So, if you feel like you fit in any of the above then certainly switching to artificial could be a great choice for you.

The Up’s

We will now take some time to discuss the benefits of installing an artificial lawn in your yard -

Can be installed by yourself.

Now while we would usually recommend getting an artificial lawn installed by a professional to ensure that all bases are covered, it is in fact easier than may have originally thought to install artificial grass yourself – proving you have all the correct tools and the time and patience to dedicate to the project. There are a plethora of tutorials and guides available online to help guide you but be sure to follow the steps closely and have someone to work alongside you to make the job much easier.

Artificial grass is easier to maintain

As mentioned above the number one reason most people opt to switch to artificial lawns is that is much easier to maintain than natural grass. This becomes the synthetic fibres that do not require watering or cutting. Providing it has been correctly installed the chance of weeds sprouting is also very low and even on the occasion that they do they are much more manageable than in natural grass. Synthetic fibres also have the benefit of being more durable than natural grass as they will not develop lawn disease and will not brown or die during changes in temperature.

Lower maintenance cost

As you can imagine, due to the lower maintenance requirements, artificial lawns also incur fewer maintenance costs – grass feed, fertiliser and weed killers are not required, not to mention more expensive one-off purchases such as lawn mowers are not necessary either. This means that while artificial grass can be a fairly expensive initial investment it will be to pay off the longer it is installed. Artificial lawns can also help to save big on water costs too.

Saves water

You can save money and be more economical with water usage with an artificial lawn – in fact, you can save 1000s of litres of water a year by making the switch. Not only is less water usage fantastic news for your wallet but also for the planet too! In fact, your lawn will only require water while being cleaned and it also removes the concern that your grass may suffer from drought or scorching during long periods of no rain.  

The Downs

So, as you can see there are plenty of perks to making the switch to an artificial lawn – however, that’s not to say that it doesn’t come with any downsides at all -  

Low maintenance not no maintenance

Without a doubt taking care of a synthetic lawn is much easier than the care required to keep a natural lawn looking its best all year round, however, this does not mean that there is no maintenance required at all.

In fact, it is a good idea to think of an artificial lawn as somewhat of a carpet for your garden and should be taken care of in very much the same way this means that you should regularly clean your artificial lawn. This means using a brush to remove debris and being careful to not let fallen leaves sit as they can rot when wet and this can result in staining that can be incredibly difficult to remove, unlike natural blades synthetic fibres can become stained from spills and pets with homes may find that their own retains odours such as urine which is why it is important to also include a made for purpose cleaner on your lawn too. Not taking care of your lawn can result in it deteriorating which can be incredibly pricey to correct.

Not as naturally soft

While most artificial lawns these days are very good and replicate the texture and appearance of a natural lawn – they are still not able to compete with the natural springiness and softness that natural blades of grass offers. This is definitely something that homes with children should keep in mind as taking a stumble on artificial grass can be a little more painful and can lead to friction burns similar to those you get from carpets.

Reduces the biodiversity of your garden

Perhaps the largest downside of an artificial lawn is that it will reduce the biodiversity of your yard, so if you enjoy welcoming lots of wildlife into your garden then this is unlikely to be the right choice for you. This is because there will be fewer insects and grubs present to entice birds, hedgehogs and other wildlife into your yard after all where there is no food there is little reason for animals to visit. This can be counteracted with the use of plant and bird feeders however animals will always prefer to make a home in the natural environment.

High Initial Expense

Artificial lawns are a long-term investment you will start noticing the savings in maintenance fees after a few months however the initial cost can be quite high. Even if you look to save money by completing the job yourself to really make your lawn last long term it is not recommended to cut costs when it comes to the quality of your lawn. If you were to then include professional installation the price can almost double. 

Deteriorates with time

Even in nature nothing lasts forever, so it is important to understand that your artificial lawn will not last forever and will age and deteriorate over time, becoming flatter it may also become sparse in areas and suffer from discolouration – unfortunately this is unavoidable. However, with correct care, your lawn can last up to 15 years.

We hope that this blog was helpful in understanding the ups and downs of an artificial lawn and will help you to make an informed decision as to what is the best for you and your garden, certainly an artificial lawn has a lot to offer but as we can see it is not suitable for everyone but regardless of your choice it is important to understand all lawns require TLC to keep looking their best!