FT NEWS

Love the look of lush green grass but don’t have the time, patience or skill to maintain it? There’s always fake grass to turn to, which looks as good as natural grass sans all the paraphernalia. An artificial turf mat can be laid out in any part of the house, interiors or exteriors, and one can enjoy the visual benefits of greenery, no matter the size or location of the home.

What is artificial turf?

Artificial turf is a type of faux grass that is made entirely from synthetic fibres. While earlier it was used only in sports grounds, today, it is widely used in residential properties too. Be it on terraces, balconies, patios, lawns, poolside or even inside the house, this type of grass offers the look of natural greenery without the need for heavy maintenance.

Pros of turf grass

As good as real grass

When it comes to appearance, turf looks like authentic well-manicured grass. Very natural-looking varieties are available too, making it almost impossible to tell synthetic turf from real grass unless closely inspected. With the changing seasons, while real grass tends to change colour, artificial turf will remain the same year around.

Has decorative value

Artificial turf is flexible and can be laid out anywhere, for example, between walkway pavers, driveway strips or on walls. This helps green up different areas and also increase their visual appeal.

Is low maintenance

True, the cost of artificial turf installation can be significant, but the lifecycle cost of artificial grass is lower than that of natural grass. That’s because it requires no mowing, trimming, watering, fertilising or pesticides. You also don’t need to invest in expensive gardening tools or hire a gardener for it. Compared to natural grass, artificial turf helps reduce water usage and looks great year-round.

Take note, it’s not free of cons

It isn’t real grass and has a limited lifecycle

If you’re in love with the smell of freshly mown grass, like the feel of it underfoot and love to see your pets rolling in it, then faux grass is simply not for you. At the end of the day, grass is natural: it grows, dies, decomposes and returns to its natural elements, and can also regenerate. On the other hand, artificial turf has a limited lifespan.

It is costly

Faux grass is expensive to install because it requires grass removal and ground preparation. Also, most artificial turf systems come with the option of drainage and self-irrigation to control the temperature of the grass, which eventually leads to an increase in the cost.

It can heat up considerably

Artificial turf is notorious for heating up – this is why it ideally shouldn’t be laid out in areas that receive direct sunlight. Alternatively, one should avoid walking barefoot on artificial turf when the weather is hot. However, there are special products available in the market like self-irrigation systems or padding underneath the grass to lower temperatures. Choosing light-coloured artificial grass is another way to keep the lawn cool.

It’s not always environmentally healthy

Real grass is a living, natural material, a plant that produces oxygen as it grows. The environmental impact of faux grass can vary. More often than not, the padding is made of recycled tires; moreover, the petroleum-based artificial grass fibre is far from eco-friendly as it ends up in landfills.