At first, artificial turf can seem pretty attractive – after all, you don't need to worry about mowing the lawn or keeping it watered during the height of summer. However, artificial turf still comes with its fair share of drawbacks, and here are just five reasons to choose natural turf instead.
1. Cost
Artificial turf costs more than natural turf, so you're looking at a larger budget before you even consider the installation process. Most people think that artificial grass is simply rolled over the ground, but this isn't the case. The old turf will need to be dug up, then a layer of sand will need to be placed and leveled and a layer of rubber installed on which the artificial turf will lie. This all takes time and money.
2. Eco-Friendliness
If you're seriously thinking about laying down artificial turf, you should strongly consider how that decision will affect the environment. Artificial grass might save on water, but it's still a petroleum-based product that creates pollutants and uses natural resources during the manufacturing process. It is not biodegradable, so it's ultimately going to end up in a landfill. Natural grass avoids these problems while creating the very oxygen we need to breathe.
3. Longevity
In theory, artificial grass can last for a very long time – in reality; it's unlikely to last as long as real grass. Though high-quality artificial lawns take a lot of wear and tear, they will eventually show signs of damage and need to be replaced. In contrast, real turf has the potential to last a lifetime and beyond since it can repair itself and recover from damage.
4. Versatility
Unless your outside space has particularly steep grades, you should be able to lay natural turf across the whole thing to create a wide sweeping lawn. Unfortunately, you won't be so lucky when it comes to artificial turf. It's tricky to lay down the fake stuff over even the slightest slope because the sand used underneath will quickly migrate to the bottom of the incline.
5. Look and Feel
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, keep in mind that artificial grass still doesn't look and feel the same as natural grass. Granted, it has improved in the last few decades, but you'll still notice the difference when you gaze out over your lawn or walk across it with your shoes and socks off. Ultimately, natural just feels and looks better.
Welcome to my blog which is all about the art of landscaping. My husband and I live on a two-hectare sloping block of land. It has fabulous views of the valley below, and we have truly created our own little piece of paradise. It has been a ten-year project to complete our garden with a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and professional help. When we started landscaping, it never occurred to us that there were so many choices to be made about drainage, types of materials, and the best plants for different sections. It has truly been a labour of love, and we recently won the "Best Garden" award for our district! So many visitors have been asking for advice that I have started this blog to share expert tips I have picked up over the years. I really hope that other garden and landscape lovers enjoy browsing my posts.