Its a tough one this because as they say I had a dog in the race, the word ‘had’ should give you a glue as to my current standing. Having promoted and laid many artificial grass lawns back in the early 2000’s I got a head start into this new surface for landscaping purposes. I was always reluctant to go whole hog on this idea as always thought of Artificial grass for garden lawns as a but niche.
“I could see the benefits if say you wanted a Putting green or swimming pool surround”.
That made sense to me. I mean it would cost far too much in time, effort and materials to install a natural grass golf green. At the same time a swimming pool surround using synthetic turf was a logical choice being that mud would get trafficked into the pool if using natural turf. For me of course it was always about using the turf for mini golf as this was my passion. So the artificial turf for garden lawns was a bit off for me at that time. In the early days there was a slow trickle of work doing lawns and so I dipped my toes and started to promote the idea of back garden artificial lawns. Sometimes we had to travel a fair distance. “I remember one time travelling up to Leeds to install an artificial golf green over some slabs!” The idea began to take hold and it was not long after that entrepreneurs saw this as a great opportunity. I started to gently promote the idea of providing artificial grass lawns. It started to make more sense and I found myself understanding how they served a purpose and the many benefits of having one. Not only did I start to provide the surfaces for customers but I also installed the surfacing in my own back garden. “Having two young boys and pets the lawn became an extension of the patio in that it was usable all year round.” I could however never go ‘all in’ as I had a good maintenance contract looking after natural grass within a private school in St Albans. There’s a place for everything and I now knew how much sense it makes to use in certain areas and for certain reasons. I’m still not all in though. I’m halfway! (As my boys have grown up I’m now considering going back to natural turf. The rise of dedicated turf recyclers means it is now so much easier to remove and replace.
Natural turf vs Artificial turf, Lets Get Ready To Rumble!
I had this battle on my hands when I was asked to convince a local group in Clapham Common London, that my mini golf construction using artificial grass and extensive planting would be just as good for the environment than leaving the area as just natural grass. Suffice to say we lost! And so having been defeated im going to look at this from an objective point of view. Which is really better? Or is it a case of horses for courses?
Benefits of Artificial Grass
Water Conservation: Opting for artificial grass eliminates the need for frequent watering, saving substantial amounts of water. This is especially beneficial in arid and water-
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Versatility: Artificial grass is not limited to gardens; it can be used on decks, poolside areas, roof terraces, play zones, offices, exhibition spaces, balconies, restaurants, hotels, and sports fields.
Safe for Children and Pets: Synthetic turf can be anti-
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Drawbacks of Artificial Grass
Initial Cost: Installing artificial grass is an investment. Homeowners pay for consultation, turf, and installation, which varies based on the area to be covered.
Heat Absorption: Artificial grass can get hot in extreme weather, although it won’t cause burns. There are ways to keep it cool even on scorching days.
Benefits of Natural Grass
Natural Aesthetic: Real grass provides a fresh, natural look.
Air Quality Improvement: Live lawns purify the air, capture carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and break down pollutants.
Cons of Natural Grass
High Maintenance: Natural grass requires regular mowing, watering, fertilizing, and weed control.
Limited Durability: It may not withstand heavy foot traffic or extreme weather conditions.
In summary, artificial grass is low-
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