When it comes to creating a beautiful landscaped scene, it is hard to believe how far artificial turf has come. In the past, it was made of this harsh, prickly plastic that was not soothing to your bare feet. It looked plastic, it felt plastic, and it appeared to be completely out of place.
If that is your vision of synthetics landscaping, you’re in for a big surprise. With the aid of modern technology, the artificial grasses that you see today look nothing like its predecessor. Not only is it more aesthetically pleasing to look at, it is much more practical to use for many people.
Made With Recyclable Materials
One of the biggest plusses of artificial grass is the material it is now made from. Most of it is the result of recyclable materials, making it more environmentally friendly that the grasses made in the past. The grass is laid across a bed of sand (natural) and a layer of gravel (natural) so that it has proper drainage when it is installed. This will prevent water from pooling up when it rains and causing mold, mildew, or rot to develop underneath.
In addition, since the plastics used to make the grass are extremely lightweight, the material is weighted down with heavy rubber made from recycled tires. This keeps a lot of excess materials from clogging up the landfills and creating additional environmental problems.
It is Less Expensive
You might think that growing natural grass would be the more affordable option, but when you factor in the cost of watering your grass on a regular basis, fertilizing it, the purchase of pesticides, and other expenses associated with yard maintenance, the dollars can quickly add up. By using synthetic grass much of that expense is already eliminated, saving you tons of money in the end.
To put that in perspective, consider where you live. If you live in an area where water is scarce, it could be extremely expensive just to get enough water on your lawn to keep it green. Then add in the cost of maintenance. If you don’t have time to do it yourself, you’ll have to pay for someone to do it for you.
While synthetic turf installation can be expensive and the initial outlay can be prohibitive, the savings you will get from not having to spend a lot on maintenance will pay for the entire lawn in just a few years. After that, you’ll probably have a good twenty to twenty-five years left to enjoy your carefree lawn and perfect environment.
It’s Practical
In areas where growth of grass is difficult, you can install artificial turf instead giving you the same effect on the surrounding area. If you live in an area that is generally not conducive to natural plant growth, it can be the more practical choice. Rather than spending excessive amounts of money and dedicating a lot of time to force growth in areas where grass does not want to grow you can get the same effect immediately. This is the preferred choice of those who may live in dry desert areas or places where there are so many rocks that they inhibit the growth of anything. It also works well in areas where there may be a lot of shade trees blocking out the sun. While shade can be very refreshing on a hot summer day, it doesn’t encourage natural plant growth.
This way you can get the best of both worlds and as a result end up with a perfectly manicured lawn either way; some people even try a little of both. They may grow natural grass in a section of their lawn where growth is easy and in those hard to reach places, they may choose to use artificial turf.
Before making a decision on the type of grass you want in your lawn, just remember that first impressions usually last. Consider the option that will make people remember your lawn and how it made them feel. Regardless of what your lawn needs are it can be a very wise choice to at least take a closer look at the new artificial grasses that are now available today.
