Thinking about giving your lawn a makeover? Astroturf might be the right idea for your yard space. Astroturf is perpetually green and shiny, perfect for any kind of weather.

Whether you’re tired of mowing every weekend or just looking for a fresh, green look year-round, an artificial lawn is definitely something to consider. But how does it stack up against a natural lawn?

Maintenance

Part of what makes astroturf different from natural lawn is how you maintain it. If you’re curious about making the switch to astroturf, take a look at what you’ll have to do differently to keep it up:

Natural Lawns

Honestly, having a natural lawn is a labor of love in and of itself. Maintaining these lawns is a lot of work that requires you to be on top of regular mowing, watering, fertilizing, and weed control.

For a lot of people who like to spend time in nature, this isn’t such a bad thing. But if that doesn’t appeal to you, owning a natural lawn can just take up a lot of time and money, especially during summer when your lawn needs a little extra TLC.

Astroturf

What makes astroturf a popular option is how easy it is to maintain. After you place it, you don’t have to mow, water, or fertilize it. It looks like freshly cut, green grass all year long with little to no effort. All you have to do is mist it every once in and while to clean up any dirt and debris. Otherwise, you don’t really have to worry about it.

Appearance

In many cases, the appearance of astroturf can rival a natural lawn, depending on the look you’re going for. To decide whether to stick to your natural lawn, here are the major differences in appearance between the two:

Natural Lawns

Au naturale lawns can look really neat and clean when properly tended to. But of course, your mileage may vary depending on how you care for it, making each lawn unique.

Astroturf

Even though the look of natural grass can’t be easily replicated, astroturf comes pretty close. High-quality artificial grass actually looks like real grass, especially from a distance. It’s only when you get up close that you can see the difference in texture and variability.

Environmental Impact

If you’re big on reducing your environmental footprint, here’s what you should know about how each lawn type impacts Mother Earth:

Natural Lawns

Natural lawns can be good for the environment because they support bugs and other forms of wildlife. But the caveat is that they also use up a lot of water, fertilizers, and pesticides to keep the process going. And unfortunately, this can lead to consequences for nearby rivers, and lakes, and other parts of the environment.

Astroturf

On the opposite end, astroturf doesn’t need watering, pesticides, or fertilizers, which is a big plus for the environment. But don’t forget that it’s still made from synthetic materials, many of which are petroleum-based, which is really hard on the environment.

Longevity

If you’re wondering how long astroturf lasts compared to a natural lawn, take a look at whether astroturf is worth the investment:

Natural Lawns

With proper care, natural lawns can last forever. Obviously, for this to happen, they need ongoing maintenance, but a well-kept lawn can be a beautiful feature of your home for many years.

Astroturf

For the most part, astroturf can last anywhere between 10 to 20 years. A lot of that depends on the quality of astroturf you buy and how much you walk on it. After its lifespan, though, it will need to be replaced, which is something to consider.

Cost

A common concern people have when considering astroturf is the cost. To help, here’s a quick peek at what you can expect to pay for:

Natural Lawns

Just maintaining a natural lawn can be costly. To keep it looking nice, you have to invest in lawn care equipment like a lawnmower, sprinkler system, and even a weed killer. And that doesn’t even include the cost of fertilizers, pesticides, and water.

Astroturf

The initial cost to install astroturf can be quite high, but it’s also a long-term investment. If anything, you’ll probably end up saving money, especially in regions with high water costs.