Asking how long your artificial lawn will last is a loaded question. “It depends” is the first answer that comes to mind, but hardly the best. There are several factors which affect synthetic grass lifespan. Understanding what they are, and how they contribute to wear and tear, will give you a better idea of what to expect in terms of durability. First let’s talk generalities.
Expected Lifespan for Synthetic Grass
As a general rule, you can expect your synthetic lawn to last an average of 20 years. The grass is designed to be UV resistant, so the color of the blades do not fade. The material, (polypropylene, polyethylene or polyamide yarns) is resistant to damage and eco-friendly. It also happens to be very resilient and flexible. This is why it maintains its shape, springing back to life after each use. proper care and maintenance will ensure long life for many years to come.
However, the industry standard is just an average, albeit a good one. Many synthetic grass installation companies guarantee their installs for 10-15 years, but expect the product to last 20-25 years. Plus, new information is always emerging regarding durability, financial sense and safety. In fact, there is a current government study focused on 40 turf fields across the United States in regards to material safety. So far? No red flags. That’s good news for lawn owners, however, it is important to consider two other factors when thinking about artificial grass lifespan.
Before we move on to that though, don’t forget one important issue. Does your product come with a warranty? The installation probably does, but the grass itself should as well. When choosing your product, be sure to look for warranties that cover things like workmanship, fading and material issues. Now let’s talk about traffic and usage.
Wear and Tear
How often your lawn is used has a lot to do with synthetic grass lifespan. Indirectly, it is affected by product type as well. Before deciding on your synthetic grass type, it is important to understand basic aspects of your lawn beforehand. Asking the following questions will help:
What type of traffic does my lawn take on a regular basis? If you have kids who play sports, or pets that constantly romp through your yard, you will need to make sure you choose an synthetic grass product suited for that type of use. Higher quality products lengthen synthetic grass lifespan in regards to your lawn. They are designed for heavier use and hold up really well to wear and tear.
On the contrary, if you seldom use your lawn, a lower quality grass product may last just as long as one with higher quality. The determining factor is wear and tear. The less use your lawn endures over time the longer it will last, no matter which type of product you use.
Maintenance
Keeping your synthetic grass lawn clean can be a double edged sword. Maintenance is necessary to remove debris and keep your lawn looking natural and new. However, if you have pets, be mindful of the impact. More maintenance than necessary is required if you want your artificial lawn to last.
The reason for this? Pet waste can eat away at the backing of your synthetic grass. This decreases synthetic grass lifespan and could mean repairs in the long run. Understanding the impact your pets have on synthetic turf allows you to be proactive.
Usually, this is handled beforehand during the installation. Your installers will go over infill options and other solutions for odor before the install. Afterward, simply rinse the pet waste away, or pick it up, as needed. Proactive positioning in regard to wear and tear will extend synthetic grass lifespan.
On the whole, synthetic grass requires very little maintenance. You will need to rake it periodically to stand the blades up, rinse from time to time to remove dirt, debris and pet waste, and repair it occasionally as certain sections wear out.
Do those things and your lawn will last for 20-25 years. No more mowing, or fertilizer maintenance and several years of truly free synthetic grass ownership. That might be the best part of all. Let’s break it down by the numbers and see what an synthetic grass lawn means for your pocketbook.
Synthetic Grass Lifespan | A Healthy Financial Return
Let’s take a 1,200 square foot lawn as an example. Outfitting the space with a traditional lawn will cost about $3,500 (This does not include irrigation costs which could run about $4,000 or so). A synthetic grass lawn will run right around $10,000 for the initial install.
Yearly maintenance on a traditional lawn will cost a little more than $2,000. Synthetic grass lawns will cost less than $200. In 12 years, your synthetic lawn will cost a total of just under $13,000 while your traditional grass lawn will cost more then $34k. That is quite a cost difference!
Keep in mind, at this point, the traditional lawn will continue to cost $2,000+ per year while your synthetic grass lawn will cost less than $200. The synthetic lawn pays for itself in under 10 years and you enjoy another ten years of minimal lawn maintenance (one power brush per year if needed). You essentially gain ten years of free lawn care while a traditional lawn will cost you another $12k-$13k.
So we can add to our question it seems. With the right amount of care, the synthetic grass lifespan of your synthetic lawn should last 20-25 years. However, you will enjoy an additional 10-15 year period of enjoyment virtually cost free. Between the lifespan of the product and the return on investment, switching to synthetic grass is a sound investment.
Thinking of switching to synthetic grass? Contact us and see what a difference NewGrass makes. We have some of the best synthetic grass products in the industry. We can help you create your dream space. Wouldn’t it be nice to ditch the lawnmower for good and enjoy 25 years of lush, green grass? If you are shaking your head “Yes!” we couldn’t agree more. Call us, and let NewGrass introduce you to your next synthetic grass landscape.
