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Pros and Cons of Synthetic Grass

Niharika Arya
Synthetic grass has gotten tremendously popular in recent years, thanks to its beautiful look and unbelievably low maintenance cost. But is this artificial turf as safe and useful as it seems? Find out more in this Gardenerdy post.

Did You Know?

Synthetic grass can last for about 15 years, thereby reducing your water bills, fertilizer cost, and mowing time significantly.
A beautiful plush green lawn is what most of us visualize in our dream home. But it is not easy to take care of a grass lawn. Regular pruning, watering, and taking care of the lawn can be painful. To avoid this, people have started replacing their lawns with synthetic grass.
Synthetic or artificial grass was created in 1960s. It was specially created for sporting arenas, such as football stadiums, as the maintenance cost of natural grass was very high. Synthetic grass looks like natural grass, and can be pleasing to the eyes. But the pleasure of having real grass is altogether a different experience.
If you are thinking of replacing your lawn with artificial turf, then you should be aware of the pros and cons of the same. Given here are some of the important pros and cons of synthetic grass.

Pros of Synthetic Grass
  • Once installed, synthetic grass requires very low maintenance.
  • No watering, pruning, or mowing is required.
  • No natural grass means no weeds or any other wild plants.
  • They are long-lasting, so you don't have to worry about buying or replacing them.
  • Fertilizers and chemicals are not needed as in natural grass.
  • Water does not accumulate on synthetic grass, so there will be no puddles of water in your garden or wherever synthetic grass is installed.
  • Playing or walking on the grass will not cause any harm or damage to the texture of the mat.
  • Artificial grass does not depend on the seasons. Once installed, you will have a green lawn all year round.
  • Synthetic grass comes with a rubber cushion below the synthetic fiber, which reduces the chances of injuries while playing.
  • You can easily wash off dirt or dust with the help of water.
  • It reduces the risk of poisonous insects and snakes, which are commonly found in natural grass.
  • Artificial grass always looks fresh and does not require any extra care.

Cons of Synthetic Grass
Though it has a list of advantages, there are many disadvantages of synthetic grass too. Here are some of them.
  • The cost of installing synthetic grass is astronomical, making it difficult for everyone to afford.
  • Due to the heat-absorbing property of artificial grass, it can become unbearably hot in summer.
  • The synthetic grass mat has a rubber cushion below the surface. These cushions may require replacement or refilling after some time.
  • Open lesion or 'turf burns' can increase the risk of MRSA infections.
  • In a 2003 study of MRSA infections among St. Louis Rams football players, it was found that MRSA infections began at turf burn sites.
  • Although it is not yet proven, there are debates on the harmful effects of chemicals like lead and zinc which are used in the manufacturing of synthetic grass.
  • It may increase the risk of bacterial infection. Blood, skin cells, and sweat may give bacteria favorable condition to grow and flourish.
  • This synthetic sheet replaces natural grass and restricts the growth of anything on that soil.
  • One will miss the smell of fresh grass and wet soil as synthetic grass is not natural.
With a number of advantages, artificial grass has gained popularity; but one should not forget that natural grass is a part of the environment. It keeps air fresh and provides oxygen, unlike artificial grass. So, if you are looking for a turf lawn in your backyard, go through the pros and cons given here thoroughly before making the final decision.