It’s good to keep it real, but when it comes to lawn care, taking care of the real deal can become a major burden. It might come as no surprise, then, that artificial grass is becoming an increasingly popular choice for residents yearning for beautiful yards year-round. Artificial lawns are constructed from synthetic fibers (usually polyethylene or nylon) that mimic real grass, which are attached to a man-made thatch layer (often polypropylene), propped up by polyester turf backing and filled in with granular materials such as rubber or ceramic-coated sand for added comfort and stability. Historically, synthetic turf has been relegated to specific applications such as athletic fields, playgrounds, mini-golf establishments, and the like. Due to rapid technological advancements in artificial grass technology, however, more and more homeowners (and business owners) are adopting it for their own yards -- perhaps you’re thinking about it, too

Let’s go over the many advantages artificial grass has to offer, especially for residential purposes.

Your Artificial Grass Is in it for the Long Haul

There’s no denying it: artificial grass installations don’t come cheap, though the overall cost of such a project can vary greatly depending on surface area, the type of grass you use, the contractors you hire, and so on. It’s always prudent to keep the long term in mind, however. Once you overcome the initial cost of artificial grass, you’ll be left with a yard that endures for decades (with proper maintenance). The time and money you would have spent on regular lawn care will no longer apply, either -- in other words, you’ll save money in the long run. You’ll be helping the environment, too, since you won’t rely on irrigation services, lawn mowers, pesticides, or other resources and methods that contribute to your carbon footprint.

Maintenance Is Still Necessary, but Minimal

Replacing your real lawn with an artificial yard won’t entirely get you off the hook of lawn maintenance. That said, the amount of maintenance you’ll have to perform to keep your artificial grass in good shape is far less than what you were previously used to. With a synthetic lawn, you’ll never have to fertilize or aerate the soil, cut the grass down to size, pull weeds, etc. Of course, you’ll still have to tackle lawn debris removal (including raking if you have trees nearby) -- additionally, you’ll encounter maintenance tasks specific to artificial grass, such as stain removal, washing, and infill replacement. These duties are required less frequently than traditional lawn maintenance tasks, so it’s a solid trade-off for many.

Infill Options Have Improved in Recent Years

In the early days of artificial grass technology, crumb rubber was the primary (if not only) infill option. While rubber provides plenty of bounce to a synthetic lawn, it’s not eco-friendly and can get extremely hot under direct sunlight (it may even melt). Fortunately, rubber is no longer your only infill option. Today, you have access to silica and acrylic sand, walnut shell infill, Durafill (made from quartz core), and much more. All of these new infill alternatives are effective, safe, and better for the environment, so you won’t have to compromise in any department.

Pests, Be Gone

While you won’t be able to do away with every pest out there, you won’t have to deal with nearly as many stubborn insects and sneaky rodents with an artificial lawn. Without the natural sources of food and shelter offered by real soil, grass, weeds, and flowers, pests have little reason to linger outside your home. As such, pest control is one less lawn maintenance service to worry about when you switch from natural to artificial grass.

The Perfect Surface for Playtime

There’s a reason so many athletic facilities opt for artificial turf. Not only is artificial grass easier to maintain -- it’s also a prime place for a variety of outdoor activities thanks to its consistent surface, elasticity, and visibility. If you have kids, artificial grass will make outdoor playtime that much more fun. You can also practice your putt game and host the ultimate outdoor game night compliments of your artificial lawn, hassle-free (think bocce, cornhole, and horseshoes).

Achieve the Outdoor Aesthetic You’ve Always Wanted

In the not-so-distant past, there was a clear aesthetic divide between natural and artificial lawns. While most people can still tell the difference between the two up close, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to separate them. Indeed, the artificial grass of today can be configured to look very similar to the real thing. Better yet, you can customize your artificial yard in terms of height, blade thickness, color, pattern, and more -- you can even weave in brown thatch that resembles dead grass if you really want to go the extra mile in terms of realism. With so many customization options at your disposal, you can design the lawn you’ve always wanted without relying on the intricate skill and ongoing labor of professional lawn care services. And few people will be able to tell that your yard doesn’t actually consist of authentic grass.

Fake Grass, Real Results

If you’ve been reluctant in the past to adopt an artificial lawn, recent developments in synthetic turf technology may begin to put your concerns to rest. If you’re looking for a lawn that’s built to last, requires minimal maintenance, helps protect the environment, allows for endless outdoor entertainment, and enhances your property’s curb appeal, artificial grass might just be for you. At The Budd Group, our landscaping services include everything related to artificial grass, including consultations, installation, maintenance, and more.

To learn more about our services and values, give us a call today at 800-221-8158!