Thinking About Installing Artificial Grass? Read this First.

Thinking About Installing Artificial Grass? Read this First

It's probably a question you've run across: is replacing my grass with artificial grass a good idea? Like any other big project, there are many things to consider before you make the switch. We surveyed 135 homeowners to see how likely they were to switch to synthetic grass for their lawns to learn more about the potential pros and cons of doing so.

Key Results

What is artificial grass?

Artificial grass, also called synthetic grass or fake grass, is typically made of polyethylene, nylon, or polypropylene. These synthetic products are meant to resemble grass. They’re getting more realistic. But it’s still clear that they’re not grass. When everyone else's lawn is going dormant for winter or getting burned by the summer sun, the contrasting ever-green of fake grass sticks out.

Still, artificial grass is no longer restricted to athletic facilities and businesses. It's becoming more common for homeowners (especially those with small yards) to use synthetic grass.

RELATED: Which synthetic lawn is right for you?

Homeowners List the Advantages of Artificial Grass

There are many reasons why homeowners may consider moving to synthetic grass. The homeowners we spoke with mentioned several reasons why artificial turf was appealing. For many, their small yard sizes made such a project feasible — and, more importantly, affordable for them. Here are some of the other reasons they listed:

Less maintenance: No mower, no fertilizer, no pesticides. It seems like a good deal for some. You have to rake it in high-traffic areas to prevent compacted infill and rinse it off — especially if you have pets.

Water conservation: Artificial turf can be an excellent solution in areas where you need to conserve water.

Durability and Longevity: Quality artificial turf can last between 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. It resists wear and tear, which makes it ideal for spaces with a lot of activity and foot traffic.

Green all the time: This was a con for some survey takers who felt their yards would stick out, but several respondents noted that having a green look year-round without using water was a reason they'd use fake grass.

Limits pests: Pests love your grass. Artificial grass keeps them away for obvious reasons. It's fake. There's little to nothing for pests to take advantage of.

The Disadvantages of Artificial Grass

You can imagine how the price tag of artificial grass can get pretty steep. You may have to remove a few trees, do some yard grading, set up weed barriers, and rework drainage and irrigation flows, and that's just a few things on the list before installation. You can DIY it, but it'll usually cost thousands, no matter what. On average, it costs $5,771 to switch to artificial grass. And it fades over time. So, there's replacement costs, too.

That's the main disadvantage homeowners listed: cost. Even though the savings may add up for some over time, the upfront costs are too much for many to ignore.

Then there's the heat factor. Synthetic grass gets a lot hotter than real grass in direct sunlight. If you live in an area where the summers get blistering hot and you don't have a lot of shade, the heat can become quite an issue or even unbearable or unsafe for pets and children.

Insects, birds, and other animals need lawns to thrive. Artificial grass is less advantageous for local ecosystems and takes away some of the space helpful critters call home.

RELATED: Friend or Foe: Which Insects Benefit Your Garden?

While fake grass can keep pests at bay, it can still cause diseases. If you have pets that regularly use the restroom on your synthetic grass — and you don't frequently pick up their poop and rinse off their urine — then you can create a petri dish for bacteria to grow.

Advice from Current Artificial Grass Owners

"You don't have to make the whole lawn artificial,"

one homeowner wrote.

"We just wanted a patch for our kids to play, somewhere we could put their toys and not have to maintain it much. The rest is garden beds and real grass."

It's a good point: by mixing artificial turf with other plants, such as trees, shrubs, and flower beds, you can achieve the look and functionality you're going for. (Just keep in mind that you may have to rake or vacuum up leaves that get on the fake grass).

Homeowners with synthetic grass noted that the options have improved over the years. There are more choices for green shades, blade lengths, and softness. This allows homeowners to choose the product that will look best for their vision.

You can often integrate fake grass with hardscaping, such as stone walkways or patios. Such design decisions can also lend the artificial turf a more seamless, organic look that mitigates some of the synthetic turf's often overly manicured look.

How to Install Artificial Grass

First things first, you'll need to prepare your land before you can install artificial grass. It needs to be clear of all weeds and have the right drainage in place. Weed barriers must be put in.

You'll need a subbase, so you'll spend a lot of time digging out any existing grass, roots, rock, leaves, and anything else in the way. You don't want to lay your artificial turf on grass, which could encourage weeds and cause drainage issues.

Now you're ready for the aggregate. This is typically crushed rock to help get the shape you want. This surface layer also ensures good drainage. Now, you'll lay the artificial grass over the aggregate and trim it to the desired shape.

If you're using more than one roll of fake grass, you'll need to seam and secure the edges using a seaming cloth to join pieces together. Cut the grass to your liking around obstacles. From there, apply adhesive, reconnect the seams, and nail or anchor it down. Put down an infill like rubber grains or silica sand and spread it around to help prevent a matted look and to weigh down the synthetic grass.

DIY Installation vs. Hiring a Professional  

Depending on the size you want to turf and your skill level, laying down artificial grass may not be too tough. However, having a professional do the job ensures it's done right.

Experts bring the experience and machinery to make sure the synthetic grass gets installed correctly and lasts for years. If you do it wrong, you can create drainage issues and seam misplacements that will deplete the lifespan and look of your fake grass.

Quick Summary

We asked 135 homeowners how likely they were to use artificial grass on their lawns. We learned from more than half of the respondents who said they were unlikely to use synthetic grass that the upfront costs were the main concern. Low maintenance and looks were top factors for those who were likely to adopt it or already have.

Installation is best done by a professional; between yard grading, tree removal, drainage, and getting the seams right, it's a job that calls for a skilled pro.