There is a new trend for homeowners. Installing synthetic grass at their homes instead of natural grass. There are pros and cons to consider when making this decision.
Pros:
Pet Friendly
Good for water conservation.
Free of allergies and pesticides.
Low maintenance.
Cost effective in the long term.
Cons:
Artificial grass gets hot similar to cement or asphalt and doesn't have the same cooling effect as natural grass. It's not desirable for bare feet when the temps are up. The texture is also different and not kind to bare feet. Natural grass cools the air. It has the same effect as 9 tons of air conditioning.
While it's lower maintenance than natural grass it is not maintenance free. The turf must be cleaned and washed/rinsed properly or bacteria will build up. Since the turf doesn't go deep into the ground anything spilled on it stays there until you rinse it. This can create a foul odor.
It provides an ideal environment for bacteria that lives in the plastic for 90 days or more.
It always looks fake.
Some animals like to chew on the plastic grass.
Since it's made out of old tires, it creates an airborne dust that is toxic when inhaled. These particles also promote asthma. Natural grass takes up carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. It traps dust and keeps it out of the air and lungs.
It is not good for the environment. Artificial grass contains hazardous chemicals that runoff during rain and cleaning and can leak into the sewer system contaminating drinking water.
There are pros and cons to both natural grass and artificial grass, make sure to do research and be well informed before making a selection.
