Which is easier to care for: artificial or real grass?

If you’re looking to smarten up your outdoor area for the summer and are thinking of including a lawn, you’ll have a key decision to make. Will you choose real grass, or select from the wide range of artificial products available? In the past, this might have been an easy choice to make, as synthetic solutions weren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing option and could easily be distinguished from their authentic counterparts.

However, artificial grass has come a long way, with durable fibres providing a soft and hardwearing surface that can resemble a natural lawn. If you have a busy home and work life, you might be looking for a solution that’s simple to look after, and it might also be advantageous if your lawn care costs remain low.

In the following sections, we’ll compare looking after real and artificial grass to help you decide which type of lawn is best for your property.

Maintenance needs for real grass

A natural grass lawn may be authentic, but it will require serious upkeep. You’ll need to water and weed it, and you’ll need to keep it neat with regular mowing. This is a task you can tackle by yourself or leave to a professional gardener, but either way, it can be costly. If you hire a gardener, you’ll need to pay them, and if you decide to go it alone, you’ll need not only the time and inclination, but funds to invest in both a lawn mower and the fuel or energy to operate it.

Dealing with damage to natural grass

Real grass isn’t great at coping with serious footfall, so unless you want to carry out serious repairs, you may have to limit the traffic it experiences, or it will soon become worn. Additionally, if you have pets, you might find that their mess can burn or yellow your lawn, and in the hotter months of the year, your lawn may become sparse and patchy. In worst-case scenarios, certain areas of your lawn may benefit from reseeding.

Looking after your artificial grass

Artificial grass is far easier and less costly to care for. Simple sweeping of loose leaves and other debris periodically is all it takes to keep your synthetic lawn in good shape, a job easily managed by yourself.

Keeping synthetic grass clean and pristine

It is exceptionally easy to cope with mess from family pets with man-made grass, as it doesn’t stain and can be cleaned simply with a hose or cloth and a little detergent if necessary. Artificial grass manufacturers create products to withstand plenty of human interaction, and they include UV protection too, ensuring your lawn won’t discolour in natural sunlight, meaning it will look perfect all year round

In summary, while ultimately the decision is a personal one, you may find that for an easy-care option with fewer associated costs, and that can provide an ideal environment suited to people and pets, artificial grass is well worth considering for your home.