Artificial grass has been growing in popularity for use in residential lawns throughout the Valley of the Sun over the past several years. But what is fake grass exactly and why are so many Phoenix residents choosing it over the real thing?
In a nutshell, its synthetic fibers are made to look and feel like grass. You can think of it as an outdoor carpet because its construction is pretty similar. A special sewing machine attaches the “blades of grass” to a base, which is then attached to more cushion. So what’s the big deal and why are so many homeowners switching to it for their own yards?
Faux grass boasts a slew of benefits. For starters, it’s currently in its third generation. That means modern technology has improved it to look and feel more similar to the real thing than ever before. There are even different pile heights to choose from! Other benefits include:
- Low maintenance (the lack of watering alone is a real draw in Arizona)
- Green outdoor escape year-round
- More usable outdoor space
- Cost-effective (no worry about regular and frequent maintenance costs)
- No muddy yards or standing water during the rainy season
- More time spent enjoying your yard than taking care of it
Synthetic grass yards sound great, right? But you’re probably wondering how much their installation costs. Read on to learn more about the factors that go into the overall cost and learn why artificial turf is a great investment!
Artificial Grass Cost
As with any home improvement project, indoor or out, the main items affecting the price of the job are the product costs and labor. Just like real grass, not all fake grass is exactly alike. Lumber prices vary depending on what trees they were hewn from. Turf prices vary depending on what they are made from and how also.
Some factors that will affect the product cost of your turf include durability, non-toxic materials, heat resistance, and what country it was made in. As with many things in life, you get what you pay for. Primo turf really is worth splurging on if you’re making the switch to synthetic. Naturally, it’s more durable and holds up to wear and tear better. This means you won’t have to worry about repairing or replacing your turf for even longer, saving you even more money in the long run.
Next, there is the labor cost. As with any job, workers need to be paid for their time and effort. There is a lot more work involved in the installation process than just rolling out and securing some fake grass. Laborers must first address any drainage concerns before then prepping the area (which may include removing old product). After the turf itself is cut, laid, and secured, then inlay must be added to help protect the fake grass from the elements and keep its levelness, amongst other things. Then, there may be additional landscaping, depending on the project, and clean-up. That’s a lot of work!
The amount of experience a landscaping or turf company has installing artificial lawns will affect the cost too. You could take your chances on less-experienced workers, but again, you get what you pay for. It could end up costing you even more if they do a poor job that needs fixed or completely replaced. It’s best to get it done right the first time.
Now that we’ve talked about the main things you’re paying for, let’s take a look at some of the other factors that affect the cost of a synthetic lawn.
Additional Costs Associated with Installing Fake Grass
Many additional, but just as important, factors affect the overall cost of a turf installation project. We briefly touched on some of these above, such as additional landscaping, irrigation, and infill. Others include ease of access to the site and debris removal. Let’s take a look at how each of these can affect the price of your project.
- Additional landscaping – Oftentimes, some extra landscaping is desired after new turf has been installed, just to spruce things up. The extent of landscaping and products used, such as trees, mulch, or lighting, will affect your overall cost.
- Ease of access – A hard to reach worksite can negatively affect how smoothly (and quickly) a project can be completed. For very difficult sites, an added fee is often charged.
- Irrigation – Artificial grass has different drainage needs than real grass. Any irrigation issues will need to be addressed before the grass carpet is laid.
- Debris removal – Unless you have a very bare backyard, most job sites require debris removal before any new work begins. This can include removing plants and old artificial grass.
- Infill – Sand, rubber, or another appropriate material must be used to fill in your turf. (Think of it as the “dirt”.) Infill is important because it makes your faux grass feel even softer, protects its backing from UV damage, and increases its longevity.
Still not sure if fake grass is right for you? Continue reading to explore all of its benefits more in-depth.
Benefits of Going with Faux Grass Over the Real Thing
There are truly a plethora of reasons for switching from real grass to fake grass. After reading through them all, you’ll probably wonder why you didn’t consider making the switch sooner!
- Low maintenance – Spend more time enjoying your outdoor space, not taking care of it. Not having to worry about watering, weeding, mowing, and more can save you several hours of precious weekend time.
- Save Money – Although it’s more costly than sod upfront, you’ll save a ton on maintenance and upkeep over the years. This is especially true if you’ve been hiring someone to take care of your yard for you!
- More usable space – With a nice, flat, grassy yard, you might soon find yourself spending more time outdoors than in!
- Green lawn year-round – Everyone loves a green lawn. No more brown, dead spots ever again.
- No more drainage issues – Proper irrigation should always be a top priority when installing artificial turf. You’ll no longer have to worry about standing water and muddy spots, which also means your family won’t be tracking that inside either!
- Versatile – Fake grass can go anywhere and be used in special projects like putting greens.
- Easy to clean – Simply blow, rake, or wash away dirt.
- Longevity – Many turf products can last between 15 and 25 years.
- Pet and kid-friendly – Aside from the non-toxic materials used in the higher quality turf products, you won’t have to worry about them being around harmful pesticides and weed killers.
Conclusion
Deciding to invest in an artificial lawn, whether it’s your front yard, back, or both, can feel a little daunting. This is especially true if you’re completely unfamiliar with synthetic turf, how much it costs, what it takes to install it, etc. But, with some research, you’ll soon find that having a turf lawn is completely worth the upfront cost.
Synthetic grass makes a lot of sense for Arizona residents. It’s:
- Easy to maintain
- Cost-effective
- Versatile, giving you more usable outdoor space, and
- Allows homeowners to enjoy a green, mud-free lawn all year long.
Keep in mind, each yard is different, which means each turf installation is different. Many variables, beyond the cost of turf products and labor, go into the cost of artificial grass installation. For an accurate estimate, please give us a call!
Looking for a bit of inspiration when it comes to installing artificial turf in your Central Arizona yard? If so, check out some of our most recent projects in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Peoria, and Scottsdale.
