Artificial Grass vs. Turf

Do you know the difference between artificial grass vs. turf? Most people don’t. Most people think that artificial grass and artificial turf are one and the same thing. They just think people refer to them by the same name. People use these terms interchangeably so often. In fact, people also often call them both ‘turf grass,’ astroturf,’ ‘synthetic turf,’ or ‘artificial turf.’ The thing is, both are very different.

Artificial Grass or Turf, Both Have One Major Benefit

There are pros and cons to both artificial grass and artificial turf, the common benefit of both is that they can cut down substantially on maintenance compared to real grass. (We’ll touch more on the benefits in a bit.)

In fact, when artificial grass installations are done properly, they can look even better than all-natural grass lawns.

What Is Artificial Turf?

Artificial turf resembles a much shorter or shallower carpet of hairs and offers less cushioning than artificial and real grass. However, these types of artificial surfaces are tough enough to withstand the pounding of football or soccer players. So, they do still have a place in the sports market.

That said, artificial turf is becoming less common as it’s replaced by next-gen artificial grass.

What Is Artificial Grass?

While artificial grass and artificial turf both come in many shades of green and replace real grass, that’s where the similarities end.

Artificial grass isn’t just the better-looking version of turf, it’s actually synthetic grass. While turf is considered good for a lot of action, artificial grass’ claim to fame is its good looks. Although these grasses can be just as durable as turf, the grass blades are much longer and softer, designed to look and feel as close as possible to real grass.

Turf vs Artificial Grass: What Do They Have in Common?

So let’s touch a bit more on what these grass substitutes have in common and what they can do for both residential and commercial properties. The benefits of replacing a lawn include:

No water waste or expense
Virtually no maintenance, hence no ongoing expense
No airborne toxins, i.e., pollen allergies
No harmful residues from chemical applications like weed killer
For sports facilities, no need to repeatedly rip up and replace expensive sod
For homeowners, free time

The Benefits of Artificial Grass

Because of its beautiful appearance and ‘fluffier’ feel, most buyers choose artificial grass for its realistic look and feel as opposed to the tougher turf. Here’s why:

Year-round performance
No-hassle installation
Looks and feels real, not like fake grass
Perfect for play areas or putting greens
Offers little to no maintenance costs

Artificial Grass vs. Turf: What Should You Consider Before Making a Decision?

If you’re looking to simply add ‘green’ at the lowest possible cost, then turf might be the right answer for you. For virtually every other application, artificial grass is the superior option.

Artificial grass offers a far more pleasing appearance, higher impact ratings, and better durability. It’s why everyone from commercial establishments to playgrounds to homeowners defaults to synthetic grass.

Regardless of which option you choose, make sure you measure the square footage of your space. That way your installer will be able to give you an accurate estimate per square feet and installation costs.

Don’t Settle for Last-Gen Turf

At AGL Grass, we install over 500,000 sq. ft. of high-quality artificial grass every season. Our customers rely on us to make every project completely hassle-free. Our team will: