Call us at 855-464-8873 or Email us at info@progreen.com
Call us at 855-464-8873 or Email us at info@progreen.com
A beautiful lawn can make any home look picture-perfect, but to get that effect, you have to maintain it. Unfortunately, keeping everything looking fresh and neat takes a lot of work. You need to constantly water, mow, and fertilize your lawn, fill in bare patches, and remove weeds.
It’s no surprise homeowners are turning to artificial grass.
However, unlike natural, synthetic grass isn’t exactly renewable. It can’t grow back if it develops small bare patches here and there, and it cannot fill up on its own.
Which begs the question – how long does artificial turf last, and is it worth the initial investment? Let’s find out.
Fake grass longevity depends on several factors – from the quality of the product to how it’s installed and used. Have a glimpse into some of the main factors below.
Product quality is the first and most important factor affecting how long your artificial lawn will last. Cheaper, lower-quality turf will be more prone to losing its shape, volume, and color, especially if exposed to harsher environments.
Lower-quality turf installations could even start looking shabby within the first year, though you should still expect them to last at least a few years.
Quality products, on the other hand, will be made of more resilient yarn and backing materials. Premium synthetic turf will be less vulnerable to excessive wear and tear, keeping its original shape and color for much longer.
In many instances, you can expect high-quality turf to last you anywhere from 20 years upwards.
Even the highest quality artificial grass won’t last you very long if the installers decide to cut corners and do a poor job. When the turf isn’t installed properly, it can look uneven. It can develop lifted edges, and the seams between different patches can start separating and causing tears.
Not only is it an eyesore, but it can also affect the longevity of your synthetic grass and create safety hazards. Water might start accumulating on your lawn, or you could easily trip over uneven turf areas.
Proper installation includes thoroughly preparing the area, removing any debris or vegetation from it, leveling the ground, carefully installing the turf, and securing the edges. It will make your lawn look tidy and ensure there are no awkward tears and folds to cause problems down the line.
Unsurprisingly, external conditions and environmental factors have a massive impact on how long your artificial grass will serve you. Constant exposure to direct sunlight in arid areas, for instance, can cause quicker discoloration than in milder climates. It can also make the turf more brittle.
Additionally, if you live in an environment with inclement weather or in harsh climates where the turf is exposed to heavy rain and constant moisture, you can expect to see faster deterioration.
Of course, if you invest in higher-quality turf made of premium materials, it should serve you for years to come, regardless of the external conditions. Still, the same turf will always last longer in places where harsh weather isn’t common.
There’s a significant difference in longevity for turfs in low-traffic vs high-traffic areas. Naturally, you’ll see much more noticeable wear and tear in artificial lawns that are constantly stepped on – in kids’ playgrounds, sports fields, dog parks, and the like.
After all, the more the turf is used, the quicker the individual grass blades will bend and flatten, and the quicker they’ll lose their coloring.
It’s important to pay close attention to the specific type of fake grass you’re buying and where you’ll be using it.
Low-traffic turf is designed to be more aesthetically pleasing. It’s made of softer materials that feel more luxurious. While it can withstand being stepped on, it won’t last very long if you’ll constantly be walking over it. It’s ideal for use in front lawns or in interior decor – on walls, in office corners, and the like.
Turf for high-traffic areas still looks good, but it’s easier to notice it’s fake. It’s made of tougher materials, giving it more resilience at the expense of softness. It can handle heavier use in gyms, sports fields, playgrounds, and more without losing its shape and appearance.
One of the greatest benefits of using artificial lawns instead of real grass is that they have low maintenance requirements. However, low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance.
If you want to prolong the life of your synthetic grass, you’ll need to take care of it properly. Focus on frequent brushing, as it can help straighten individual blades of grass and clear it of debris to avoid unnecessary damage and ripping.
Secondly, it involves using adequate turf infill—a granular material you need to spread over your artificial lawn to keep the grass blades standing upright. Without it, your lawn will quickly flatten and start looking poor.
Finally, proper maintenance includes performing minor repairs as they’re needed, which can mean adding more turf infill or cutting out patches that have been damaged and replacing them.
So, all things considered, how long can you expect your synthetic lawn to last? On average, quality turfs that are installed and maintained properly should last about 20 years. Of course, their life expectancy will vary based on how and where they’re used.
Home lawns, for instance, have the best longevity. They’re typically not exposed to too much foot traffic or harsh conditions, so they can retain their appearance with relative ease.
The expected lifespan of a synthetic lawn in a sports field, on the other hand, is much lower. They typically last only a few years before needing repairs and replacements.
You’ll notice that manufacturers offer much longer warranties on turfs for home use as opposed to those for commercial use.
Though it is long-lasting, synthetic turf still has its limits. Here are some of the telltale signs indicating it’s high time for you to replace or repair it:
Noticeable wears and tears
Lifted edges
Discoloration and fading
Ineffective drainage
Foul odors
Mildew growth
Matting
Flattened blades
As a general rule of thumb, if there’s minor damage to the lawn, such as frayed and lifted edges or minor tears, you can likely repair the affected area. However, if the lawn has safety hazards such as mildew growth and ineffective drainage, it would probably be in your best interest to replace it.
When choosing how to improve the curb appeal of your home, you’ll have two popular options – real grass or fake grass. What are the differences between the two in terms of longevity?
As mentioned, artificial grass has an average lifespan of about 20 years. Natural grass, on the other hand, has a life expectancy of about half as much – usually between 7 and 10 years, depending on the specific type and the conditions it’s exposed to.
Not to mention, how long a natural lawn will last heavily depends on how it’s maintained. Your lawn will need frequent mowing, watering, reseeding, and more if it’s to last.
So, if you’re looking for a long-lasting solution, artificial lawns are the way to go. They have high resilience and low maintenance needs, so you won’t have to fiddle around with them nearly as much.
Homeowners with pets are perhaps the most concerned about their artificial grass longevity. After all, with our four-legged friends constantly running around, digging their paws and claws into the grass, and pottying outdoors, it might seem like a synthetic lawn wouldn’t be the ideal solution.
While it would certainly last longer if it was just decorative with no one stepping their foot or paw on it, it was designed to handle some heavier usage that comes with pets.
Premium high-traffic turf, in particular, is made to handle anything you throw at it, including pets and all their shenanigans. With pet-friendly turf infills and proper drainage to let liquid pet waste seep through to the soil, it can last you for years without issues.
However, keep in mind that you might need to maintain it a bit better to ensure it’s free of odors and in its best condition.
Make sure to collect and throw away solid waste daily. You should powerwash it at least once a month (more frequently if you have a larger pet or multiple pets) and brush through it once every couple of weeks. Finally, add pet-friendly infills when you notice the blades looking flatter than usual.
If you want to make sure your synthetic grass lasts as long as possible, you’ll have to pay a bit more for quality products and find reputable professionals to do the job properly. In other words, look for ProGreen.
With over 37 years in the industry, we are masters at manufacturing and installing artificial turf. We deliver:
Impeccable production: All our products are 100% made in the US, in our own facilities, with ISO 9001 certification. We also have strict quality control measures, so all our products meet the highest standards.
Proprietary Tech: We’re always improving our product line and experimenting with unique designs for various uses. To increase the longevity of our products, we use ProFlow to improve drainage, ProCool to reduce heat damage, and Dual Fiber Line to increase the resilience of each blade of grass.
8-Year Warranty: We have complete confidence in the quality and durability of our products. In fact, we offer an incredible 8-year warranty, giving you peace of mind knowing your new lawn will last you for years to come.
Environmental Responsibility: Our top priority has always been keeping our customers and the environment safe and sound. All our products are 100% PFAS-compliant and made top quality materials. Our turfs are child-friendly, pet-friendly, and eco-friendly.
With ProGreen, you won’t have to worry about your artificial lawn’s longevity—we offer the very best products as well as professional installation and maintenance.
We make durable products that can last for years, but there are many factors affecting how long you’ll get to enjoy our artificial turf. The overall quality, the way you’ve installed it, what conditions it’s exposed to, how you use it every day, and how you maintain it will all dictate whether you’ll need to replace it sooner or later.
For improved longevity, you’ll want to use top-quality lawns, have professionals install them, and stay committed to proper maintenance. Contact ProGreen to find products that last.
Contact ProGreen today to restore your lawn to perfection after the storm.
Amanda Shope is an experienced Digital Marketing Manager specializing in content creation and strategy for the artificial turf industry. With years in the field, Amanda excels at crafting compelling content that drives engagement and fosters growth. When she’s not strategizing the next big campaign, she’s exploring the latest digital marketing trend.
