Any comments regarding artificial grass?

I didn’t like the original turf & I don’t know anyone who has admitted to using the new stuff. I often go to Houzz: when I’m looking for this type of info. Yes, they sell the stuff so they might not be completely unbiased; but, it seems that this article gives some pretty good suggestions no matter which way you decide to go. Logically speaking, it seems to me that there would be a problem with mold. I know while looking someone pointed out the leeching of chemicals into the soil where it’s being used. That sounds logical to me although the company kind of skims right over that part. This article indicates that heat is still a problem with the artificial turf & they don’t suggest using it in the Southern states & IF I remember properly, Florida wouldn’t be the ideal place to install it. Although they give pretty detailed instructions on how to install it yourself in order to save $15–20/sqft for professional installation, it sounds quite detailed & tedious. Having said all that, I think you might want to either read or skim over this info for better info & ideas!!!

It is not cheap or easy to install. I can sow grass seed and grow a lawn. I’m not ready to install a “AstroTurf” yard.

@LadyMarissa I look at photos on Houzz all the time when considering decorating options, but had not thought to look there for this Q. Your link was very helpful. It’s so expensive to have it professionally installed that that might be a big deterrent. Over time compared to grass I guess it would even out between watering, fertilizing, weeding, and paying someone to cut the lawn, but compared to putting in pretty pavers or cement it might not be worth it.

I slid once on astroturf and pulled out all the hairs on my leg. It hurt.

@JLeslie Have you considered Zoysa grass. It’s a pain to plant; but, it doesn’t grow very tall (minimal cutting) & doesn’t take a lot of water once you get past the first year or so. That’s what my dad put down in his yard. We had a 20 year drought & he seldom watered it & it seemed to flourish. It wasn’t always the brightest green but it still looked nice. It also strangles out most weeds, once it fills in, it feels almost like carpet under bare feet. I bought some this year to see if I can get it to take over before I die!!! Not knowing where you plan to put it, don’t know if this would be a good option or not.

The more money you are willing to spend the more you will be happy.
A professional installer is a must.
The higher, more expensive grades are more likely to last and meet your needs.
Be aware that there is still some maintenance involved. You will have to vacuum it once in awhile to keep the loose dirt from spawning weeds. On very warm days, you might want to use a sprinkler to reduce the heat.
In spite of the few surprises mentioned, you will be glad you installed the best.

Weeds make the best lawn where I live. Can’t kill it, stays green year round and is free. When you mow it short it looks just like fancy grass. It also supports a healthy insect population, especially bees. I would not consider fake grass. If you can’t grow grass then you have soil issues or live in an arid climate where it’s not appropriate anyway.

@LadyMarissa I have zoysia now, and I wish I didn’t. I wish I had St. Augustine, which looks greener consistently in this part of the country. We have a whole section of the city that’s zoysia and there is always brown patches. I have never seen that anywhere else I’ve lived in Florida.

When I lived in TN the zoysia was gorgeous. I don’t know if it’s a different variety here or what.

@YARNLADY Thanks.

@ARE_you_kidding_me My mom let the weeds take over years ago, and she gets compliments on how green her lawn is. I own some property near where I live, and we let the field grass grow and have it cultivated for hay. It’s nice and green too during growing season.

I would be concerned that the outgassing of synthetic materials in the constant heat and sun exposure could be toxic. Are there studies done on this? And the eventual breakdown of components for the same reasons.

Most synthetics are subject to thermo and photo reactions, unless they are specially formulated to resist, which is usually a very expensive process.

Personally, I just have a “yuck” reaction, but then I have a low maintenance lawn that kids and dogs are welcome to play on.

^^It’s a good question. I don’t have pets, so I don’t have to worry about that aspect at least, but the fake turf maybe affects the groundwater and other living organism below it.

I just put down chemicals on my real grass, and some of that gets into the ground water, which I can feel bad about if I let myself.

I think the biggest hazard might be disposing it in 15 years. I don’t know if it’s easily recycled.

Don’t underestimate the effects of outgassing on yourself and the people living there if you spend any time outside, or have your windows open. If you have (for example) stockade fencing for privacy and noise abatement, it won’t disburse so easily.

I’m just talking about small strips of grass, but I’m not dismissing your concern.

The newer stuff still looks like a rug to me. Yuck. Also, it often contains recycled rubber-like materials, which break down and cause a health hazard. You could look it up.
Finally, it’s not “no maintenance”. As someone else mentioned above, you have to vacuum it. And if there are trees nearby that drop leaves or needles, you still have to rake those up. There’s no free lunch.