Natural or artificial turf?

Installing a new lawn at your home is something that will both enhance its natural beauty as well as add value to it. With advancements in technology, a popular debate nowadays is whether you should opt for natural or artificial turf. With many characteristics to consider like turf prices, upkeep levels and appearance, it can be a difficult choice. Here’s some information to help you decide.

Price

Natural turf is the better option when it comes to price. At the initial stage, natural turf is much cheaper to install. In the long-term, natural turf can have greater costs depending on the time you put into making it look lush.

Artificial turf can be quite expensive to put in, especially if it’s a good quality variety, which is recommended if you want a turf that has a natural look. Artificial turf also requires some long-term cost however, as it needs to be cleaned, especially if animals frequent it.

Maintenance

You’d think off the bat that artificial turf would win in this area, but that’s not necessarily true. Artificial turf builds up dirt and dust quite easily, depending on the conditions it is prone to. This means you’ll need to rake it as well as hose it off. If animals spend time on the lawn, you will need to clean up after them also, as the turf has no natural way of filtering waste, and this can be a hassle.

Natural turf needs to be regularly watered, mowed and fertilised, depending on the weather, so have a lush look. When natural turf is at its prime however, it is very hard to beat in terms of aesthetics, so the time you put into making it look good will certainly be worth it.

Effects on the environment

While you will save more water with artificial turf, it still requires some water if you want it to look clean, so it doesn’t have a huge advantage. Some chemicals created in some forms of artificial turf can also be dangerous for the environment, so make sure you look into this before purchasing.

Natural turf, aside from the regular watering required, is quite good for the environment. The way it absorbs rain and pollution, generates oxygen and cools the environment are all great benefits. Artificial turf on the other hand makes the surrounding air quite hot as it reflects heat.

Appearance

At their prime, both natural and artificial turf are great looking. While they each require different forms of maintenance, you will need to work on your lawn either way if you want it to look lush.

Advantages and disadvantages of natural turf

Advantages

• Real turf is cooler than artificial turf on a hot day.
• It also helps to filter dust, pollutants, and particulate matter from the air and water.
• It reduces the risk of erosion from wind and water.
• Lawns reduce noise pollution, particularly in urban areas.

Disadvantages

• Lawns require frequent mowing, fertilising, watering and weed control. However, some varieties such as Sir Walter have less maintenance requirements.
• Lawns are sensitive to pet urine, digging and foot traffic.
• The majority of residential water supplies go towards the maintenance of lawns and gardens
• You need insecticide to keep away grubs, fleas or other insect pests that may live in your lawn.
• Playing sports on the lawn may damage the grass.

Advantages and disadvantages of artificial turf

Advantages

• No need to hassle yourself with the following: burning gasoline to mow the grass, pouring clean water into the grass and putting fertiliser and pest–control products.
• There will be no dead spots, worn spots, insect damage or disease problems.
• Artificial turf looks perfectly manicured every day so you will never be embarrassed by an unkempt lawn.

Disadvantages

• Installing artificial turf costs about twice as much as real turf
• Artificial turf is made up of nylon or polymer that can heat up in summer. This is the reason why it is not always the best choice for children and pets.
• Artificial turf isn’t recyclable.
• Some artificial turf is painted with lead paint or contains chemicals that are unsafe for children.
• Its life span is limited, so it will need replacing in about a decade.
• It does not feel exactly like real grass.

Choosing the right lawn comes down to your preferences and how you plan to use it. As lawn experts, we recommend natural turf as the safer, more beneficial option.

If you’d like to learn more about the advantages of natural lawns, our friendly team at Sydney Lawn and Turf is here to help. As Sydney’s trusted turf suppliers, we offer affordable Sir Walter grass prices and the highest quality natural turf.

Ready to transform your lawn? Give us a call today at 1300 209 477!