If you’re thinking about replacing your lawn, you want something that will last. While natural grass has traditionally been the default, more homeowners and property managers are opting for artificial turf. In fact, artificial grass in Houston first gained attention when it was introduced at the Astrodome in 1966, proving its durability and low-maintenance appeal. Since then, it has become a popular choice for residential landscapes, offering a lush, green look without the hassle of constant upkeep.
Natural Grass: The Ongoing Battle Against Nature
There’s something undeniably appealing about a lush, green lawn. But keeping natural grass looking good is anything but simple. If you’ve owned or maintained a traditional lawn, you know how demanding it is, not to mention fragile. Here are some factors that aren’t exactly kind to its lifespan.
- Climate Extremes: Natural grass can suffer when temperatures are extreme. Winter’s freezing temperatures can leave parts of your lawn dead, and those scorching summer days? They can turn a lush yard into a patchy, brittle mess.
- Water Requirements: Grass needs a lot of water. If you live in a drought-prone area like California or anywhere with water restrictions, keeping your lawn green feels impossible. The last thing you need is a sky-high water bill.
- Wear and Tear: Love spending time in your yard? While we all agree that it’s healthier to go outside more often, doing so can take a toll on natural grass. Too much foot traffic can crush the delicate blades and create visible patches on the lawn.
- Disease: Grass might look tough, but it’s surprisingly fragile. Diseases, fungi, and pests can cause dead spots and require expensive treatments to restore it.
- Maintenance: Between mowing, watering, fertilizing, and weeding, keeping your lawn in top shape is practically a full-time job.
Artificial Grass: A Solution That Lasts
Despite its benefits, there are still common myths about artificial grass that prevent some homeowners from making the switch. Understanding the truth behind these misconceptions can help you feel more confident in your decision.
Now let’s talk about artificial grass. Unlike natural grass, an artificial lawn doesn’t demand constant upkeep. It’s also engineered to overcome all the challenges that make natural lawns more difficult to maintain. For example:
- Resilience Against Weather Extremes: Artificial grass doesn’t fade, shrivel, or brown due to intense weather conditions. It’s UV-stabilized, meaning it retains its vibrant green colour through sun, rain, and snow. If you live in an area with extreme heat, choosing heat-resistant artificial grass can help prevent overheating and maintain comfort.
- Strength: AGL Grass products in particular can last up to 25 to 30 years or more. This far surpasses natural grass, which typically starts deteriorating within a few years.
- Minimal Water Needs: You won’t need to water your artificial lawn – ever. Besides an occasional rinse to keep it clean, it requires zero hydration, making it the eco-friendly choice in water-scarce regions.
- Pet and Kid-Friendly: Artificial grass withstands heavy foot traffic, pets, and even the most active children. It doesn’t wear down, go muddy, or produce allergens, making it a perfect solution for homes with pets. If you’re looking for the best artificial grass for dogs, our pet-friendly turf is designed to provide a clean, safe, and comfortable space for your furry friends.
- Minimal Maintenance: Forget about fertilizers, pesticides, or mowing. Artificial grass stays green without these extra steps, freeing up your weekends and saving you money over the years.
AGL Grass: Setting the Standard for Durability and Quality
When it comes to artificial grass, not all options are equal. AGL Grass takes the strength and quality of synthetic lawns a step further, making them an even smarter choice for property owners.
- 15-Year Warranty: AGL Grass products come with an industry-leading, non-prorated 15-year warranty. This guarantee reflects our confidence in our products and ensures you’re getting a lawn that will last.
- UV and Fire-Rated: AGL Grass products are UV-stabilized to prevent fading, which is especially important if you live in a sunny climate. They’re also fire-rated, which offers an added layer of safety.
- Infill-Free Design: AGL uses artificial grass that doesn’t need infill. This means fewer installation hassles and even less upkeep – two factors that further extend the product’s lifespan and make your lawn safer for kids and pets.
Artificial Grass vs. Natural Grass: A Cost Comparison
While the initial costs of artificial grass can seem higher than natural grass, it more than pays for itself over time. Here are some of the many hidden costs of natural lawns and how AGL’s artificial turf can make a difference.
- Watering Costs: For a small natural lawn, water expenses can climb into the hundreds or thousands over the years. Artificial grass cuts that cost down to zero.
- Treatments: Keeping a natural lawn healthy requires fertilizer, pesticides, and weed control treatments. These products are not only expensive but also harmful to the environment. With AGL Grass, you eliminate these costs entirely.
- Lawn Equipment and Mowing: Natural grass demands regular mowing, and quality lawnmower, fuel, and maintenance aren’t cheap. Artificial grass requires none of this upkeep, freeing you from these ongoing costs and reducing your carbon footprint.
- Resodding or Reseeding: Over time, parts of a natural lawn die off and require resodding or reseeding, which adds to long-term costs. AGL’s 15-year warranty ensures you won’t need to worry about replacing your lawn for a long time.
When you consider these factors, it’s clear that artificial grass offers a far better return on investment than natural grass.
10-Year Cost Breakdown: Natural vs. Artificial Grass
When weighing the long-term costs of natural grass versus artificial turf, it’s important to look beyond just the initial investment. While natural grass may seem cheaper at first, maintenance costs quickly add up. From watering and mowing to fertilizers and resodding, the ongoing expenses can be significant.
Below is a breakdown of the typical costs associated with maintaining a natural lawn versus the one-time cost and minimal upkeep of artificial grass over a 10-year period.
Natural Grass Costs
A natural lawn requires constant upkeep to stay green and healthy. Regular watering, lawn treatments, and mowing all contribute to ongoing expenses. Over time, patches may develop, requiring costly resodding or reseeding. These costs add up quickly, making natural grass an expensive long-term commitment.
- Watering: $300–$1,000/year → $3,000–$10,000 over 10 years
- Lawn Treatments (Fertilizer, Pesticides, Weed Control): $200–$500/year → $2,000–$5,000 over 10 years
- Mowing (Fuel, Maintenance, Lawn Service): $300–$800/year → $3,000–$8,000 over 10 years
- Resodding/Reseeding (Every ~5 years): $1,000–$3,000 per event → $2,000–$6,000 over 10 years
Over a 10-year period, maintaining a natural grass lawn can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $29,000 or more due to ongoing upkeep expenses.
Artificial Grass Costs
Artificial grass has a higher upfront installation cost, but its long-term savings make it a smart investment. With no need for watering, mowing, or chemical treatments, maintenance expenses are minimal. Over a decade, homeowners can save thousands while enjoying a lush, low-maintenance lawn year-round.
- Installation (One-Time Cost): $5,000–$15,000
- Maintenance (Occasional Brushing & Rinsing): $0–$100/year → $0–$1,000 over 10 years
In comparison, the total cost of artificial grass over the same timeframe ranges from $5,000 to $16,000, with significantly lower maintenance requirements
Is Artificial Grass the Right Choice for You?
If you’re still on the fence about artificial grass, that’s understandable. With so many options available, having a buying checklist for artificial grass can simplify the decision-making process and ensure you choose the best fit for your needs. But if you’re looking for a long-lasting, low-maintenance, and stunningly green yard, artificial grass can check all those boxes – and more. Below, we’ll tackle some of the most common questions people have when deciding if artificial grass is the right choice for them.
Will It Look Natural?
AGL Grass products come in a variety of blade heights, textures, and shades of green to recreate that lush, authentic appearance we all love. You get a yard that not only looks natural but feels soft and comfortable to walk, sit, or play on.
Does It Require Much Maintenance?
With natural grass, you have a laundry list of to-do’s if you want to keep it looking good. AGL Grass frees you from that routine. There’s no mowing, no need for fertilizers, and no need to water your lawn (other than the occasional rinse to keep it clean).
A light brushing every now and then helps keep the blades upright and looking fresh, but that’s about it. If you have pets, cleaning is easy too. Solid waste can be picked up as usual and liquids drain through, leaving no residue or unpleasant odours. You can even use a mild soap and water solution if you want to spot-clean specific areas. The time you save on yard work can be used to actually enjoy your outdoor space rather than constantly working to maintain it.
The Choice Isn’t Natural- It’s Artificial All the Way!
Ready to say goodbye to the headaches involved with a natural grass lawn? AGL Grass products save you time, cut down on maintenance costs, and keep your yard looking bright and beautiful all year long, no matter the season. Reach out to us today and learn for yourself how effortless lawn care can truly be.