What are the Disadvantages of Artificial Grass

It is difficult to talk about the disadvantages of artificial grass as there are so many advantages and many people hold the view that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.  However, like most things, nothing is perfect and there can be a few possible drawbacks.

Cost – the initial outlay for an artificial lawn can be expensive depending on the size of the lawn and the quality of the grass you purchase.  If you are using professional fitters this can increase the cost significantly, particularly if you have a larger area to cover.  A lot can be done to reduce the cost if this is the only thing holding you back.

Upkeep – synthetic grass isn’t as maintenance-free as some sources may suggest.  Whilst you obviously won’t need to mow your grass, it still requires maintenance to keep it clean, tidy and to assist with the longevity of the grass.  The grass will need to be regularly swept and cleared of any debris that falls onto the surface.  It is also highly recommended for artificial grass to be washed down with soapy water or appropriate cleaners to help keep it free from any contaminates such as dog mess and other bacteria.  Another reason to regularly clean the grass is to reduce odour build-up, particularly if you have pets.

Environmental – artificial grass is made from plastic and is not biodegradable, so ultimately after its use-by date it will end up in land-fill.  Also, the materials used to make many of the synthetic grasses are petroleum based so it’s far from a natural product.  There have also been concerns raised that the water run-off from the rubber in-fill might be harmful to the environment and pets, but studies that have taken place have found levels of toxicity to be minimal.  If this is still a concern, non-rubber infill alternatives are now available. 

Heat – during the summer months artificial grass can reach and maintain higher temperatures than natural grass.  Whilst temperatures don’t reach as high as sand for example, it may be advisable for children to play on rugs or blankets and to wear something to cover their feet.   To help reduce the effect of the heat, you could opt for a lighter coloured grass or infill which may help in keeping the temperature down.  You could also consider alternatives to the rubber infills which won’t absorb and transfer heat as much as their rubber counterparts.  A simple way of cooling the grass is to hose it down with cold water, particularly on hotter days.

As previously mentioned, whilst there are one or two drawbacks to artificial grass, and it’s certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, it is widely agreed that the benefits far outweigh the potential disadvantages, many of which can be overcome with a little research.