A well-maintained lawn will add kerb appeal to your property. There are two choices of lawn you can choose from: real grass or synthetic grass. Homeowners in South Australia want to know which option is best. Today we will compare the pros and cons of natural grass and synthetic grass.
Maintenance Costs
Natural grass is achieved through one of two processes. Either you plant seeds or pay extra for turf. Once the grass grows or you lay turf, maintenance costs are the next consideration. You will need equipment to maintain healthy grass along with feed and other supplies. Reseeding is another cost that comes with real grass.
It is more expensive to install synthetic grass. The trade-off is that you won’t have anywhere near the same maintenance costs. Over time, the upfront cost is nullified because you are saving on lawn care. Another added benefit to the cost is that synthetic grass can last up to 20 years depending upon your climate. Obviously a hot and dry climate may diminish that lifespan some.
Lawn Care
Natural grass grows quickly so maintenance is needed every week. The time you spend tending to your lawn each week can amount to several hours. If you don’t mow and feed your natural grass the neglect will soon become apparent.
There is very little maintenance needed with a synthetic lawn. You can clean the lawn with a hose periodically to keep it looking good and eliminate odours. Raking will remove any debris such as leaves while also keeping the lawn in good shape. It takes considerably less work to maintain a synthetic lawn.
Water Usage
Natural grass needs water, which means water usage costs. A typical lawn eats up around 567,812 litres of water per year. That is based on a lawn of approximately 259 meters. When you consider the cost of all that water, a natural lawn begins to sound like a luxury addition to your landscape.
Although you may want to hose your synthetic lawn occasionally – especially if pets use it as a toilet – the amount of water used is negligible. A lawn that is considerably larger than 259 meters will consume a fraction of the water used on a natural lawn. This is one of the areas where synthetic grass pays for itself.
Appearance
There was a time when synthetic grass was easy to spot. However, it is much harder to tell the difference with modern options. The only real giveaway is that synthetic grass sits perfectly all the time with minimal maintenance. The fact italways looks the same throughout the year is an obvious clue that the grass is fake.
Natural grass, on the other hand, has Mother Nature and traffic to deal with. There are several issues that will affect the appearance of natural grass, including: wear and tear, pets and kids playing on the lawn, light and moisture differences.
Health Pros and Cons
Many people suffer from seasonal grass allergies. With a synthetic lawn, one can enjoy their outdoor living area without the negative side effects of real grass.
A positive note for natural grass lawns is that they are a cool place to for your children to play on when you have those hot summer days. Synthetic lawns tend to heat up with the warmer weather and aren’t always the best choice if you have children that like to spend time outside in the summer.
Choose your Preference
Ultimately the choice is yours. Both varieties have pros and cons that may influence your choice. It all depends on how you look at the costs versus maintenance and appearance. Other considerations may include how the lawn will be used and by whom.
It may help you to visit a garden centre or speak to a landscaper who can provide samples. Being able to see and feel different types of grass can make it easier to choose the option suitable for your home and family. You can also visit the homes of family or friends who have either type for an on-site experience.
