Unless your neighbors pay close attention to how your lawn looks on a day to day basis, they may never realize you have an artificial lawn. While there are some clear signs, the one thing that won't alert their attention is how your lawn looks. Artificial turf does not grow and its color does not vary from shade to direct sunlight. Observant neighbors will have their first sign when you no longer have to mow your grass on a regular basis. Other than that, the signs are minimal.
Uniform Look and Texture
An artificial lawn is consistently the same height throughout the entire area. With a natural grass lawn, some areas may be cut shorter than others. The color may also vary from deep shade to intense sunlight. The same is true for thin spots. Areas that do not get full sun, such as areas underneath densely leaved trees, may have bare or areas where the grass is extremely thin. This is not the case with artificial grass. It can be placed everywhere and not change texture or color at all.
An artificial lawn will not have very many deep hollows or holes. When the artificial turf is installed, the entire lawn is smoothed over to prevent low lying areas where water can accumulate. Standing water makes an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. Small channels that run throughout the turf, help to channel water away and allow it to drain.
No Wear and Tear
Homeowners who have children and pets also have paths in their yard where the children are constantly playing. The more traffic the area gets, the thinner the grass becomes. Eventually, this can lead to bare areas where grass may not grow as it should. With a artificial turf, the grass can withstand excessive levels of foot traffic without damaging the grass or packing down the dirt.
With natural grass, the grass can be damaged and dirt can begin to show during drought conditions. The longer the grass goes without water, the browner it will become. The dirt will become packed making it difficult for the grass to continue to grow. When this happens, even the slightest level of friction can tear grass up from the soil damaging the root bed and preventing seedlings to take hold an re-establish themselves.
What Your Neighbors Won't See
When you install an artificial lawn, the most common way your neighbors will realize you have artificial turf is by what they won't see. A few examples of this are:
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They will not see you mow, water or weed eat your lawn.
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They will not see unsightly grass clippings.
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Your lawn will not have any dandelions or other types of weeds.
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There will be no difference between areas of grass that are in the shade compared to areas that are constantly bathed in direct sunlight.
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Your lawn will always be well maintained.
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You will not have to apply fertilizer or other harsh chemicals to make sure your lawn looks its best.
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Your neighbors will not see you spending hours taking care of the lawn.
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They will, however, notice the extra time on your hands to play with your family or practice your putting skills.
Today, people are still trying to keep up with the “Jones'”. By installing artificial grass, you may set a trend in your neighborhood. In the past artificial lawns were frowned on, and in some instances prohibited. In states like California, homeowner associations are being forced to re-evaluate that. Homeowners are being forced to stop watering their lawns or pay excessive fines. It seems to many that using artificial lawn materials is a way to solve everyone's problems. The homeowner association gets homeowners who are compliant with the new laws, as well as homes that look as if they belong on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens.
