Should I choose turf or artificial grass?

Whether you’re tacking the garden ready for summer or buying a new home and deciding on what to have in your garden, the big debate right now is turf or artificial grass?

We’ve considered the pros and cons of both real grass and artificial grass to help you decide what’s best for your garden.
 

Turf - the pros

Turf is a living, breathing thing, just like any other plant or greenery, which means it produces oxygen and therefore benefits the environment. A 2,500sqft area of grass can produce enough oxygen for a family
Natural green spaces have been proven to have an impact on our health and wellbeing. Having plants and grass around you in the garden can reduce stress and support your wellbeing.

Turf and grow your own grass options are much cheaper to set up. If you’re buying a new home with Strata, ask your Customer Experience Manager about Exclusive Deals including free turf.
 

Turf - the cons

Real grass takes a fair amount of time to maintain. You’ll need to mow your lawn at least once a week during the summer months, and will need to make sure it is well fed and watered as well as fending off unwanted greenery like weeds and moss.

The tools needed to maintain a real grass lawn will cost you in the beginning, and then there’s the space to store them. If you don’t have the time yourself to maintain your lawn, there’s the added cost of getting a gardener in to keep on top of the maintenance.

Turf does not deal well with heavy footfall, so if you plan on entertaining often during the summer be prepared for your grass to need some extra TLC to keep it looking pristine.
 

Artificial grass - the pros

One of the main selling points of artificial grass is no maintenance. That means no lawnmower to buy and find somewhere to store, and no having to dedicate half your day off to garden maintenance every week during the summer.

Artificial grass is also a tough and versatile option for people with children and pets as it is easily cleanable. It can also stand up to a lot of footfall so if you’re planning a few garden parties this summer, artificial grass can take it.

Your lawn will look and feel fresh at all times of year. No more squelching across a muddy lawn during the winter or having to wait for it to dry out before you can enjoy your garden in the spring.

If you have a garden that doesn’t get much sun, you don’t have the worry of whether your grass will grow or dry out quick enough. Artificial grass is perfect for shady gardens.  
 

Artificial grass - the cons

It’s important to remember that artificial grass is an investment, so the cost upfront is much higher compared to turf. Although you will save on the cost of maintaining turf in the longer term, the initial outlay is much higher.

And as durable as artificial grass is, eventually you will need to replace it. Some garden experts recommend replacing after eight years, so it’s important to consider that over time there may be other costs to factor in.

If your garden is particularly sloped, artificial grass may not be an option for you. A professional will assess your garden and if the gradient of the slope is too much, the artificial grass will migrate down the slope over time.

As real grass produces oxygen, experts are saying that replacing this with artificial grass is detrimental to the environment and oxygen levels. More greenery would be needed in your garden to replace the levels of oxygen taken away by removing real grass.