Synthetic turfs have become a reliable lawn alternative due to their numerous advantages to homeowners. They are not without their limitations, and each homeowner must examine their benefits and disadvantages to understand how they might maximize the turf’s potential. Here are some pros and cons of modern artificial turf:
Pros of Artificial Turf
Synthetic turf helps homeowners with a functional, aesthetic, and economical alternative to natural grass. Modern artificial turf relies on innovative manufacturing and installation techniques to provide numerous advantages to property owners. Some of the pros of artificial turf include:
Minimal Maintenance
Synthetic turf does not need water to remain green. It does not grow and maintains its blade height when installed, removing the need for landscaping maintenance. The only upkeep that fabricated turf requires is periodic rinsing after your pets or children play on your lawn. This helps avoid the accumulation of contaminants and other pollutants that might stain the turf. As long as the installer adds a weed-resistant membrane and a solid sub-base, your turf will not suffer from unwanted weeds or drainage issues.
Environmentally Friendly
Modern turfs contain environmentally friendly fibers that do not release metal toxins or other pollutants into the ground. Turfs do not need fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides to reduce the effect of weeds and pests on their durability. The reduced need for mowing, watering, and thawing limits water and energy use.
Durability
Fabricated turfs use resilient fibers resistant to fires, water, and ultraviolet radiation. This helps them maintain their green hue throughout their lifetime, regardless of harsh environmental conditions. Synthetic turfs are also resilient against wet seasons like winter and spring, which leave the ground soaked.
Some turfs last decades, depending on the material grade and installation quality. This durability results from quality checks from the manufacturer that verify they meet minimum industry safety and durability standards. If your turf has defects or related issues, the supplier offers warranties for patch replacements.
Diversity
Since turf can be fabricated to suit individual needs, you can arrange for the turf that best suits your use or aesthetic appeal. There are various color hues to choose from and different blade thicknesses, heights, and materials. If you want turf customized for safety, there are options for pet—and child-friendly variants.
Cons of Artificial Turf
Fabricated turfs have advanced in quality to mimic natural grass’s appearance and texture closely. While this evolution has improved quality and design, modern turfs still need attention to realize their full potential. Some of the factors that you must remember while installing artificial turfs include:
High Initial Costs
Suppliers usually determine turf prices based on material quality, design, durability, use, and size. While these costs may limit low-capital homeowners, fabricated turfs last longer and require less maintenance. This helps cut down long-term expenses and adds value to the property as the turf maintains its quality over time. An installer with precise measurement and installation tools also helps minimize wastage.
Surface Heat
Synthetic turfs retain more heat and might cause the surrounding area to feel warmer during hot seasons. Lighter blade colors and turfs with a cooling effect might help counteract this effect. You should also seek advice from an installer on which turf materials better withstand or reduce heat. Confirm if the infill material used by the installer will help reduce heat retention.
Consult an Artificial Turf Installer
A certified installer might help you maximize the benefits of your synthetic turf while minimizing the product’s cons. Search for and talk with an installer who stocks modern turfs from an authentic and proven supplier. Once you decide the specifics of your turf installation, follow up on any issues you incur to verify that your lawn stays green for longer.