If you’re looking to upgrade your lawn or renovate your outdoor area, one of the biggest questions you’re probably asking yourself is: do I opt for real or artificial grass? And here in Austin TX, it’s a question that has many homeowners and business owners stumped!
Here at US Turf, we know that either decision can lead to a beautiful outdoor area for you to enjoy. But, in order to make the best long-term decision, there are a few things you should be aware of! Take a look at our guide to the pros and cons of real and artificial grass.
Natural grass lawns have been the standard for decades, and tend to have a nostalgic quality that many homeowners are drawn to. Some of the other pros include:
Natural grass is often coveted for the way that it feels, not only for lounging but also while playing sports or for kids running around in the backyard.
Any kind of living plant will do its part to trap carbon dioxide and improve the air quality. In an area with so much greenery like we have here in Austin, this isn’t such a huge consideration, but it’s still a plus!
Certain types of grass can help prevent soil erosion through a healthy root system. This is especially true on sloped lawns, as the roots can help to stabilize the soil and slow down water flow.
While there are some compelling pros for natural grass, the list of potential cons is considerable. Take a look:
In order for natural grass to look and feel good, it requires a great deal of ongoing maintenance. Grass needs to be properly watered and receive sufficient sun exposure. It can also be prone to patches from disease or damage which need to be addressed in order for the lawn to look uniformly healthy.
Now, these are issues that are common everywhere, but here in Austin TX, it can be especially difficult to maintain a good-looking lawn. With our temperature fluctuations, drought conditions, native insects, and challenging soil characteristics, maintaining a lawn can feel like fighting constant battles.
Water usage is a huge consideration for property owners here in Austin, and natural grass lawns can quickly become a headache for anyone trying to be more water conscious.
Sure, pets love to romp around on a natural grass lawn. But that doesn’t mean that the grass loves them back! Whether they’re actively digging, pulling up grass with their nails when they run around, or leaving patches by urinating, dogs can make it difficult to have a healthy lawn.
Grass allergies aren’t overly common, but they can prevent your family or houseguests from enjoying a natural lawn. What’s more, pollen from lawn grass can cause or worsen seasonal allergies.
Although we mentioned that living plants can improve air quality, a grass lawn isn’t as environmentally-friendly as many people think. That’s because having a large area of one type of plant creates a monoculture, which does not encourage rich biodiversity.
If, like many other Texas homeowners, you’re worried about the drawbacks of a real grass lawn, consider some of the benefits of artificial grass:
With all of the money that you’ll save on maintenance and water usage, artificial grass is a much more cost-effective option than living grass.
With living grass, you have to worry about installing your lawn with UV exposure in mind, avoiding certain areas because they don’t get enough (or too much) sun. But, artificial grass means that you can have your lawn look exactly the way that you want it.
Artificial grass stays green all year long, and for many years. And you don’t have to worry about watering, mowing, or dealing with yellow spots. We say that it’s almost effortless because the only maintenance you’ll have to do is clean it occasionally to keep your artificial turf looking great.
With artificial grass, you don’t have to worry about grass pollen or allergies.
There are many kinds of artificial grass styles that are perfect for households with dogs! Artificial lawns are easy to clean and will hold up with even the most playful of pets.
Maybe your family loves a backyard game of volleyball or you use your outdoor space for training. Artificial grass is a great option because it can offer cushioning while mimicking the feel of real grass.
Some of the potential drawbacks of artificial grass include:
Some people just don’t like the look or feel of artificial grass, and that’s okay! That being said, artificial grass technology is improving all the time, with many varieties looking almost indistinguishable from real grass!
Because of the materials that make up artificial grass, it can feel hotter to the touch than a natural lawn. It’s a good idea for homeowners to keep this in mind in order to create a landscaping design that provides some shade for comfortable lounging.
When making the switch to artificial grass, it’s a good idea to plan out your landscaping vision carefully and invest in the highest quality materials you can. That’s because, as a non-organic material, discarded artificial grass isn’t biodegradable, and could end up in a landfill.
Installing an artificial lawn is a bit more complicated than rolling out a sheet of synthetic grass. Instead, it should incorporate proper drainage and a sub-base that will prevent flooding or soil erosion in the case of heavy rainfall.
At the end of the day, there are pros and cons for both artificial lawns and natural grass lawns. And now that we’ve covered some of the considerations for each, you might feel closer to reaching a decision that is right for your home or workplace.
If you still have questions, or are ready to put together a landscaping vision, call our team at US Turf! We offer artificial grass installation for properties in and around Austin TX, including Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Lockhart and more!
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