Over the years, artificial turf has become more popular with homeowners. Those who live in areas where drought conditions are wreaking havoc on the local landscape have turned to artificial turf as an option to keep their lawns looking their best. Homeowners' Associations have opted to remove restrictions preventing the use of artificial turf so that local residents can remain compliant with state mandated water restriction guidelines. While many misconceptions still remain about the use of artificial grass, most have been dispelled as more and more people learn about its benefits.
Harmful for the Environment
For years, its was believed that an artificial lawn and the crumb rubber that was used as infill was harmful to the environment. Quite the contrary has been proven to be true. Studies have shown that crumb rubber and the materials used in the construction of artificial grass do not leave behind any residue or produce toxic run off. In fact, once artificial turf has been installed, no harsh fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides are needed to maintain it. This, in and of itself, dramatically reduces the carbon footprint of artificial turf.
Hard to Maintain
While the turf that is installed on athletic fields may require a modest amount of maintenance, that which is used on lawns and in landscaped areas requires almost none at all. Fluffing the blades in high traffic areas and a gentle sprinkling of water to knock down the dust or break down the residue from pet waste is all that is really needed to keep an artificial lawn looking nice. As the years pass, the seams may need a small amount of care if the artificial lawn experiences high levels of foot traffic, but otherwise very little needs to be done in the way of maintenance and upkeep. Using a soft-tined rake to smooth out the infill and keep the blades upright may be all that is needed. It may be necessary to add additional infill material as the years pass, but that is also minimal.
Looks and Feels Unnatural
Athletic playing fields that are made with artificial turf may look somewhat unnatural due to their intense color and uniform height, but if artificial grass is installed professionally at a residence, it is often quite difficult to tell if it is real or fake. Advancements in how the turf is constructed and the materials that are used has made a huge difference in how artificial grass looks and feels. In the right situation, it is often quite difficult to tell if a lawn is real or not. Many artificial lawn manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure their product looks and feels as close to the natural alternative as possible.
Will Lose Its Color and Texture
Artificial turf is designed to hold both its color and texture throughout its lifetime. It will not fade or discolor in direct sunlight and many manufacturers have dedicated a part of their warranty to that states their produce will remain colorfast even when exposed to pet waste. Because of the nature of the materials used in the turf's construction, the color runs through the material it is not a top coat. Even if the material frays, it should retain its rich green hue. When it comes to texture, the blades are cut in a way that is similar to natural grass. No matter how long the turf is in place, the grass will hold its shape and resiliency. If it does tend to mat down after high volumes of foot traffic, a gentle fluffing with a soft-tined rake is usually all that is needed to restore the lawn to its original texture.
Dispelling the myths surrounding artificial turf is not hard to do. All you have to do is talk to someone who has installed it at their home. In most cases, the benefits will far outweigh any potential cons that may be presented.
