Artificial turf has become a popular substitute for real live grass on many people’s lawns.  Proponents claim that artificial turf is the environmentally responsible alternative to the water and labour intensive realities of real grass.  However, those who prefer a living lawn decry the use of artificial turf as an ugly coverup of nature. In this article we’ll go over the pros and cons of artificial turf for your lawn.

Artificial Turf Pros

Because you’ll never need to water, mow or fertilize artificial turf, it’s been marketed as an eco-friendly and environmentally responsible substitute for natural grass.  Some types of artificial turf are made of repurposed tires, plastics or other recycled materials making it even more environmentally friendly. Artificial grass can last 25 years or more while looking so natural that it can actually fool people at close range.  You’re also able to choose from a range of grass colours, lengths and textures. No matter what the weather conditions you’re experiencing your lawn will always be your ideal colour of green. Artificial turf is the ultimate in no maintenance and low-cost ground cover.

Artificial Turf Cons

No matter how good it looks or what texture you ultimately decide upon, artificial turf will never feel like real grass underfoot.  The fact is that artificial turf is made of plastic and the manufacturing technology is still a long way away from replicating the feel of living plant materials.  And although artificial turf is hailed as the environmentally responsible way forward, it still has some of its own environmental deficiencies. The plastic that artificial turf is made from is a petroleum based material that isn’t recyclable.  Even though it may last for decades, it will eventually end up in the landfill. Artificial turf is also criticized for its heat retention abilities. When it gets hot outside you may find the turf very uncomfortable to walk across in bare feet.  For those who have pets, they may find artificial turf is nowhere near as absorbent as grass and soil. This can lead to staining and hard to clean areas.