Is Installing Synthetic Turf Worth It?
Most of the backlash against synthetic turf has to do with the low-quality products manufactured in the 1960s and 1970s. But the new generation of synthetic turf is very different from that of the past.
While it is true that the first synthetic turf systems used nearly 50 years ago were hard and anything but grass-like, today’s artificial grass replicates lush natural grass in both appearance and function. Today’s synthetic grass products exceed EPA standards for LEAD, earn LEED certifications and credits, and are safe for children and pets. In fact, the artificial grass turf used today is considered healthy for the environment, too.
Still, is it worth installing synthetic turf when it clearly costs more to install than natural grass? The answer is yes. According to a study conducted by Artificial Turf Supply, although the initial costs to install synthetic grass is more than the price to install natural turf, wholesale artificial turf pays for itself in the long-run, offering substantial maintenance and operations savings over an extended period of time.
After initial installation costs, synthetic turf does not need to be mowed, fertilized, treated for weeds or, watered. On the other hand, natural grass maintenance costs can cost homeowners an average of $1,225 a year.
