While many homeowners enjoy the look and feel of a lush green lawn, it's something that can take a lot of work to achieve. Grass requires frequent watering, mowing, and fertilizing. Maintenance can take hours each week, and in some areas, it can be very difficult to grow the type of lawn you are interested in. If you do not want the amount of maintenance that growing a grass lawn entails or if you live in an area where growing grass is difficult, artificial turf may be a good alternative. Here are three things to know.

Your Options

When it comes to artificial turf, there are more options than ever before to choose from. Artificial turf can be made from nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene. It's also available in various lengths or pile heights ranging from short and manicured to longer and more natural-looking. Various colors are available and you can even match the color and appearance of natural grasses in your area. It's important to look carefully at your options and determine which will work best for your needs.

The Cost

If you are looking into artificial turf, you will also want to consider the cost. One of the benefits of artificial turf is that it is very low maintenance and doesn't require watering like natural grass. This can mean a lot of savings when it comes to maintenance. However, it is more expensive upfront to put artificial grass into place. On average you can expect to pay $5 and $20 per square foot for artificial turf installation. In contrast, sod only costs 14 to 60 cents per square foot on average. However, the additional upfront cost of artificial turf is typically recouped after a few years of water and maintenance savings.

Lifespan

Another thing to be aware of when it comes to artificial turf is that it can be long-lasting. Once it's put into place, it will last for years. It requires very little maintenance and is easy to care for. The life expectancy for artificial turf is right around 25 years. However, you may find that it wears down faster in high traffic areas. If you have children or if parts of your lawn get a lot of use, you may want to use a different material such as wood mulch in these areas.

Artificial turf can be a great alternative to grass. Installing this material can save water and also save you hours on lawn maintenance. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, there are various options to choose from and you will want to carefully look at your options to determine the best one for your needs. Costs can vary but on average you can expect to pay between $5 and $20 per square foot. The good news is that it can be a long-lasting investment, artificial turf can last up to 25 years. 

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