Artificial Grass vs. Natural Grass: Which Should You Choose for Your Lawn?

Artificial grass is becoming increasingly popular as it is more suitable for modern busy lifestyles. Compared to traditional lawns, artificial turf requires far less time and effort. Natural grass also has its charms, and here are some trade-offs when deciding what’s the best option for your lawn.

Pros and Cons of Artificial Grass

Artificial grass benefits

1. Water conservation

Conserve water by opting for fake grass, which eliminates the necessity for frequent watering. This not only saves substantial amounts of water but also reduces water bills and supports water-efficient landscaping practices, especially beneficial in arid and water-scarce regions.

2. All-weather

Artificial lawns remain green all year round, are basically weather-proof, and are all-weather lawns that drain quickly after heavy rains without standing water or flooding.

3. Extensive uses

Artificial grass is widely used. Not only does it look stunning in the garden, but it can be used for a variety of uses and environments, including decks, poolsides, roof terraces, play areas, offices, exhibition spaces, balconies, restaurants, hotels, sports fields, and more.

4. Safe for children and pets

The great thing about synthetic turf is that you can choose anti-bacterial artificial grass to help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. It is clean and tidy, soft and cushioned so perfect for playing on, as well as requires no chemicals or pesticides so is safer.

5. Cost-effective

Commercially synthetic turf pitches are proven to be a lifeline for schools and clubs when the income from external bookings is considered. They withstand intensive use, offer more usage time, and maintain the performance and safety throughout its entire life cycle.

The benefits of synthetic turf for household are even more, such as no mowing, no watering, and no fertilizing, which can undoubtedly save a lot of expenses for your family.

Disadvantages of artificial grass

1. The initial cost

Installing artificial lawn is not a small investment. To get the best results, most homeowners pay for counseling, artificial grass and installation. The cost of a project depends on the area of artificial turf you need to install. We offer free consultations and valuations for anyone considering turf.

2. Syntheticgrass absorbs heat in hot weather

Faux grass gets hot in extreme heat but does not cause any burns. There are many easy ways to keep your synthetic turf from getting too hot even on a hot summer day. Check this article to learn about 5 ways to cool down artificial grass.

Pros and Cons of Natural Grass

Pros of real grass

1. Natural and fresh air

Live lawn can purify dust and dirt from the air, capture carbon dioxide, produce oxygen and help improve the air quality around your home. Microbes in the soil also help break down pollutants.

2. Natural grass has the potential to last forever

If you enjoy spending weekends in the garden and taking care of your outdoor areas, then a natural lawn is a great option for you. With a natural lawn, what you put in is what you get. A well-maintained natural lawn has the potential to last for many years.

3. Biodiversity support

A real lawn supports biodiversity, offering a habitat and nourishment for a diverse range of insects, birds, and small animals, thereby enhancing the local ecological balance.

Disadvantages of natural grass

1. Not durable enough

Real turf cannot withstand prolonged use and trampling, which may make it unsuitable for children’s play, homes with dogs, commercial areas, and other high-traffic areas.

2. Easily can become an eyesore

Since the grass is natural, it is profoundly affected by the environment and weather and has seasonal yellowing periods. If grass is not well maintained, it can reduce the value of your home, increase pests, and develop fungus.

Turf vs. Grass: Video Highlights

Catch the highlights of our discussion on artificial versus natural grass in a quick video. It’s the perfect summary to aid your decision-making.

The Differences between Natural Grass and Artificial Grass

In addition to the pros and cons mentioned above, the following will elaborate on the differences between natural grass and artificial turf from the aspects of aesthetics, maintenance, cost and environmental impact.

Aesthetic

Natural grass aesthetics

A traditional lawn will certainly give your outdoor space a more beautiful and natural look, but without a lot of weekend time or a gardener, keeping real grass flat, green and weed-free can be a major challenge.

It is nearly impossible to have a beautiful natural lawn without spending a lot of time and money – especially in arid regions such as northern Australia, western America and the Middle East. In these areas, the grass needs irrigation at least twice a day.

Artificial grass aesthetics

Synthetic grass aesthetics vary widely. Cheap fake lawns often have a plastic feel, lacking the natural allure of real lawn. In contrast, high-quality options offer realistic looks, with various yarns, textures, and design choices.

Inspired by natural grass, CCGrass designs grass in diverse shapes, colour shades, thicknesses and special combinations, making sure it looks as natural as possible while having different personalities.

Care and maintenance

How to maintain natural grass?

Natural lawns require high and continuous maintenance. Natural grass maintenance includes:

• Mowing
• Weeding
• Fertilizing
• Watering
• Overseeding
• Pest control

To get the most out of your lawn, try to get your soil at the correct PH level and choose a seed mix that matches your local climate. This will slightly reduce the amount of fertilizer, watering, and seeds needed to maintain your backyard.

How to maintain an artificial lawn?

Compared to real turf, artificial grass is almost maintenance-free.

Steps to clean artificial turf regularly include:

• Use a broom, leaf rake, or leaf blowerto remove debris from the lawn.
• Your turf is flushed every time it rains, but it can be helpful to give it a hose rinse from time to time, especially during periods of low rainfall. This can help remove dust, pollen and grime from the surface.
• For areas that a simple rinse cannot clean completely,a simple solution of warm water and a small amount of mild detergent will do the trick. Wipe it with a sponge, then rinse.
• Brush it every now to make your fake lawnlook lush and attractive.

Cost

Real grass

Complicated maintenance procedures lead to high maintenance costs. The recurring costs of water, conventional fertilizers and seeds are already significant expenses. Additionally, the lawnmower, weeder and strimmer are costly to buy and operate. To counter this, you may also need to hire a local landscaper.

Synthetic turf

In terms of initial cost, installing faux grass can cost more than natural turf. But when it comes to maintenance costs, artificial turf costs are basically nothing.

The environment

The environmental impact of real grass

Natural grass requires a lot of water, especially during the hot summer months. The air pollution caused by equipment needed to maintain lawns, such as gas mowers, far outstrips the oxygen-producing benefits of grass. If you use fertilizers and pesticides on grass, the runoff may contaminate the surrounding area.

The environmental impact of artificial grass

With water conservation issues on the rise, synthetic grass makes more sense than ever. Fake grass uses far less water than real grass, doesn’t need water to keep it green, and doesn’t require fertilizers or pesticides. Since mowing is not required, the carbon emissions of lawnmowers are non-existent. The low-maintenance nature of fake grass makes it an eco-friendly option.

Real Grass vs. Fake Grass: Which Should You Choose for Your Lawn?

Some keen gardeners love to care for and maintain their gardens and take pride in their appearance, enjoying the pleasure of mowing the lawn on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

However, if you’re open to the idea of a free weekend, more cash in your pocket, and lean toward a “set it and forget it” landscaping option, artificial turf is for you.

In regions with limited water availability or for those leading busy lives filled with work and travel, artificial grass becomes the perfect option.

If you are interested in artificial grass and want to know more, you can click our “Knowledge Center” column. Contact us on 86 25 6981 1666 or email [email protected] for free samples and quotes!