Artificial Grass vs. Natural Grass
Maintenance of natural grass needs regular use of fertilizers, chemicals, and pesticides. It may cause injury to children, pets, and animals in the neighbourhood. These products migrate into the soil, groundwater, and at last merge with lakes, or oceans.
An increasing number of Australian homeowners are turning to synthetic turf. Many home builders, landscapers, and sports and commercial facilities are promoting synthetic surfaces, causing a dramatic demand for synthetic turf.
Artificial Grass vs Natural Grass
Maintenance
The dry climate makes natural grass very difficult to maintain. Property management companies spend large amounts on water, fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, and mowing to keep the natural grass in good condition. Synthetic grass does not require any of these items. Synthetic turf has a special UV coating that protects the lawn against ultraviolet rays.
Synthetic grass requires very minimal maintenance even under heavy traffic. By using warm water and detergents, most stains on the artificial grass are easy to splash out. With the fake grass, you won’t have to worry about mowing. However once a year you will have to service your synthetic grass. You will have to use machine-powered brushes and add some sand to the artificial grass.
The natural grass requires regular watering, weeding, and fertilizing. If those maintenance practices are not carried out, it won’t paint an appealing appearance. In addition, the real grass wears out easily under heavy traffic use, like in playing fields. With the natural grass in your garden, you will have to hire or own a well-maintained lawnmower.
Environment
It is not easy to maintain natural grass. It is very tedious work. Natural grass requires regular use of fertilizers, chemicals, and pesticides. They can cause damage to children, and pets. These have a long-term effect on plants, animals, and the air. Artificial turf does not require fertilizers, chemicals, and pesticides for maintenance. It does not cause any damage to children, and pets. They provide a safe, healthy environment for families and the public.
The natural grass is environmentally friendly. The green vegetation takes part in the purification of the air by producing oxygen and taking in carbon dioxide. For example, a golf playfield captures much carbon dioxide. In the end, natural grass contributes to the reduction of global warming. The artificial grass, however, is dead and hence can’t transpire. Instead, it releases dangerous chemicals like silver ions into the atmosphere
A real lawn does more than beautify your compound. It supports the life of insects and tiny organisms. These tiny insects speed up the breakdown and absorption of animal droppings into the soil. Thus the ecological preservation of your garden is assured. The animal waste if not removed from the artificial grass will persist since the artificial turf doesn’t support the natural breakdown of the organic.
Safety
The natural grass sports field is not perfectly flat. These can develop dips, mounds, bumps, holes as these are used regularly, which can cause twisted ankles or other injuries. The synthetic lawn is built on top of flat, level ground. Synthetic lawn or sports field is much safer when compared to natural grass, that’s why sports organizations and schools are using synthetic surfaces.
Appearance
Synthetic turf comes in different lengths, colors and is manufactured to exactly give the same look and feel of Bermuda, bluegrass, centipede, or any type of natural grass available. Synthetic turf is soft to touch and does not cause any injuries to children.
Read More: How Long Can Artificial Grass Last
Cost
Natural grass is much cheaper than synthetic grass. But in the long term, synthetic grass has a lower cost when compared to natural grass. Natural grass is a long process, it requires grass seed, watering the grass, fertilizers, lawn feed, pesticides, and the labour and time for mowing, trimming, fill. It requires a lot of maintenance. Synthetic turf does not have such a long process. Synthetic lawn can pay for itself within a few years. It does not require that much maintenance.
The ground preparations prior to installing synthetic grass are intense. You will have to prepare an even and free-draining base. Previously existing grass has to be removed. At times it could be necessary to add some sand to level up the surface. The actual installation cost for the fake grass per square is at least twice that of the natural grass. Furthermore joining the rolls and pinning them onto the ground calls for a particular installation kit. Growing of natural grass is simple and less costly.
Watering
In a lot of countries, there is water scarcity. Since there are not adequate rainfalls the homeowners may find it difficult to maintain them. For commercial purposes, like golf courses, retirement communities, and property developments the cost and effort to transport water through the pipeline system may be prohibited. The synthetic lawn does not require watering. These remain green regardless of climatic conditions, temperature, or other environmental conditions.
Ease of Disposal
When comparing the real vs the artificial grass on the basis of disposal, the synthetic turf isn’t easy to dispose of. The fake grass doesn’t rot and will only exist as a landfill. Moreover, removing its base material is very costly. The natural grass on the other hand rots and is thus easy to dispose of.
Self-Regeneration and Durability
Although the real grass wears out easily under heavy traffic it regenerates. But even if the damage is significant it can easily be patched out. Since the natural grass self-regenerates, it has an infinite lifespan if well maintained.
Any damage to the synthetic grass, for example by a vehicle isn’t easy to repair. Removing a damaged section for repair is very difficult and expensive. Moreover, synthetic grass has a definite lifespan; about 10 years. Upon the expiry of this date, replacement becomes inevitable.
Space Consideration
Growing the natural grass on a small space isn’t advisable. This is because trimming the grass in such a squeezed space becomes very difficult. Synthetic grass, therefore, becomes ideal for small gardens, where lawn mowers won’t fit.
Location considerations
Synthetic grass will thrive almost everywhere except on slopes. It can be installed in shady areas or where there is little soil, yet still provide outstanding performance. The real grass, however, requires certain conditions for excellent performance. This makes the natural lawn unsuitable for shady gardens.
In conclusion, natural grass offers better performance. However, there are certain considerations that call for synthetic grass. Therefore the decision on whether to employ natural or synthetic grass depends on what your lawn is meant for. It is important however point out that the artificial turfs have undergone considerable improvement.
Comfortability in Hot Weather
When considering the performance of the real vs artificial grass in hot weather, real grass offers superior performance. The natural grass undergoes transpiration and therefore feels cool and damp even under hot weather. Nevertheless, a protracted drought spell negatively affects the natural grass, unless irrigated.
However, the artificial grass heats up quickly in hot weather. Walking barefoot then becomes unbearable. The blades are hot, stiff, and rough. But the synthetic grass will remain green throughout the year since it requires very little water.
