Lawn care and garden maintenance
Turf War: Artificial vs Real Grass
- Font size: Larger Smaller
- Subscribe to this entry
- Bookmark
In the not too distant past, artificial grass was usually confined to sports pitches and greengrocers’ windows. Over the last decade or so though, a lot has changed. As manufacturing techniques improve, artificial grass is starting to look more and more like the real thing. The result is that the much maligned fake stuff is increasingly starting to find its way into our back gardens as an alternative to real turf.
Arguably it’s not just increased realism that is fuelling this uptake. The increasingly busy lifestyle of families with two working parents has created a market for convenience that has seen the low maintenance artificial grass lawn go from strength to strength.
Can it ever replace the real thing, however? Well, whilst that question may ultimately come down to tast, let's take a quick look at the pros and cons of both to get an idea of what each can offer.
· Maintenance
Real grass will require regular maintenance to look its best, including mowing, watering, weeding and feeding. On the other hand, the only maintenance that is required for artificial grass is occasional brushing and hosing down to remove any dirt or stains. Fake grass won't last forever, though and will need replacing after about 15 years.
· Practicality
It does not take too much wear and tear for real grass to start looking less than perfect. Dogs and children can easily damage patches and the grass can become sparse or bald. Mud and water can affect the appearance of a real lawn, as can scorching heat. If your lawn is going to get a lot of use, or is susceptible to wear and tear, then artificial grass could be the perfect panacea to all your turf woes.
Fake grass is also highly adaptable and is perfectly suited to very small outdoor spaces like roof or terrace gardens, where it may be impractical to use a lawnmower. It does not, however, lend itself well to use on slopes.
· Costs
There’s no getting around it, fake turf is far more expensive compared to real turf in terms of initial outlay, costing anywhere from £10 to £30 per square metre (expect to pay more for better-quality types). You could save money by installing it yourself, but for a professional result it is highly recommended that you hire out a specialist or landscaper. Many artificial grass companies will also offer this service.
With real grass the costs involved are in maintaining it. These can vary greatly, depending on how much of a lawn perfectionist you are. The costs of water, fertiliser, mowing might seem tiny but they add up over the years. With fake grass the costs of maintenance are practically zero.
· Environmental Impact
Unlike fake turf, real grass is able to support a natural biodiversity, allowing worms under the soil to thrive. That is not to say, however, that real grass scores a clean sheet when it comes all things environmentally friendly. The energy or petrol used for mowing have environmental impacts as does the need to water and fertilise the soil.
Fake grass, too, has a negative impact, being made from plastic and relying on oil for its production, although, new turfs are now in development that use recycled bottles for their core material. You can bet that the potential of an environmentally friendly, low maintenance and realistic looking fake lawn hasn’t been lost on artificial grass manufacturers.
Whichever type of grass you choose there are advantages and disadvantages to both. With artificial grass improving all the time, it’s becoming an increasingly viable option for our gardens and busy lifestyles. To what extent it takes off will ultimately depend on public perceptions. Ultimately, whether you choose to keep it real or start faking it depends on your individual tastes, needs and lifestyle.
About the Author: Anthony Gallagher is the Managing Director of the Easigrass Group, a network of award winning artificial grass franchisees and International Licensed partners. Under his stewardship, Easigrass became the first artificial grass company in the world to exhibit a show garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2010. You can connect with them on Twitter, Facebook or find out more by visiting their YouTube channel.
Last modified on
- Have a look what our customers have to say about G...
- Remove unwanted weeds and moss from your driveway ...
Comments
-
Wednesday, 09 March 2016
Thank you for your comment and I am please you enjoyed reading the post. Have you installed an artificial lawn before.
-
Thursday, 19 February 2015Important differences you have shared between artificial and real grass. I'm pretty sure that with more development in technology, the artificial grass will definitely take over and becomes more environment friendly.
Impressive article, indeed.· Sean Partridge likes this comment. -
Wednesday, 09 March 2016
Hello Kevin. Yes the technology is improving to create a more environmentally product. Both real and artificial grass have there advantages. Thank you for your comments.
-
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
The differences you shred for artificial grass and real grass are very important and help to understand why to choose artificial grass. The artificial grass can be maintained at ease and are very ease to maintain and less cost as compared to real grass.
· Sean Partridge likes this comment. -
Wednesday, 09 March 2016
Yes, the overall cost of maintaining real grass would exceed the initial cost of artificial grass. Thank you for your comment.
-
Friday, 09 September 2016
Everyone knows that real turf much better than fake turf. But, artificial grass easily grow and stay long lasting in your backyards. NiceBackYard is an australian company who deals in wide range of artificial grass.
Regards -
Tuesday, 18 October 2016
Artificial grass is self maintaining.Research in 2011 found that 3,000 hectares of garden vegetation has been replaced by artificial grass in London alone. Perhaps, the most obvious reason for its popularity is the lack of maintenance required, as its almost completely self sufficient. Usually, many of us use pesticides and fertilisers to on our lawns, but artificial grass doesn’t need any fertilizing, mowing, reseeding or water, proving to be actually beneficial to the environment. Not only, will your grass always look good whatever the weather, there’s no stress of competing your lawn with your neighbours. More and more families are opting for artificial grass too, as it is perfect for children to play on, acting almost like a thick carpet and proving to be soft when children tumble and fall.
-
Tuesday, 03 January 2017
Thanks for this great post! I agree that whichever type of grass you will choose, both have their own pros and cons. The reason why installing artificial grass is becoming more popular nowadays is because it offers a natural look without requiring the same maintenance as authentic grass.
-
Thursday, 13 July 2017
Hey! I have read all your Blog this is so nice and awesome service you have provided, I have learned so many new things from here and want to implement on my website. If you also want to know something new related to our services then visit my website:- www.distinctlydifferentgardens.com
-
Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Personally, i think that real grass is more reliable and perfect than the artificial grass. Because we must have to keep one thing in our mind that artificial thing does not compete for the natural thing.
Tweets by @grasshopperaggy
Really enjoyed reading this blog, it's very educational, especially when you're running your own gardening services company. Keep up the good work