Weighing the Pros and Cons of Artificial Grass for Your Home

For the rest of the world, summertime means school’s out and it’s time for fun in the sun. Living in Phoenix, the sun always seems to be out, and it’s not always fun. Rather than spending lazy days having a picnic in a park, you are surrounded by either burned grass or no grass at all.
Such a sight can be really frustrating, especially to homeowners. Rather than the romanticized depictions of green yards with white picket fences for your families to lounge on, you’re just surrounded by the effects of the scorching Arizona sun.
Trying to keep up with live grass in the summer is tough work. You have to spend countless hours, not to mention a lot of money, just to have grass that looks quite alive. But why bother with all that work when there’s a better option? Artificial grass is the perfect choice for any Arizona home. When compared to live lawns, the pros completely outweigh the cons.

Pros of Artificial Grass
Simply put, artificial grass is the choice that provides efficiency and positive effects for both homeowners and the environment.
Live lawns require a lot of harsh chemicals and fertilizers to make sure it looks alive and well, especially under the hot Arizona sun. These chemicals can take a hard swing at the environment and the excessive amount required in the harsh climate of the region makes the swing even harder. On top of that, the desert heat necessitates the use of large amounts of water to maintain the healthy look of live lawns. The third strike against live lawns is the emissions given off by the tools (e.g. lawnmowers, trimmers) that need to be used regularly for maintenance.
Artificial grass eliminates all of these issues as it doesn’t need the chemicals, the water, or even regular maintenance. On top of these environmentally friendly benefits of artificial grass, it can also be just as aesthetically pleasing as a live lawn, if not more so.
With a variety of shades and thicknesses, artificial grass can give you the lawn you’ve always wanted without the constant struggle with upkeep. There are even artificial turf where a few yellow strands are interspersed with the green for a more natural look.
(Supposed) Cons of Artificial Grass
It’s true that not everyone is a fan of artificial grass, but their hesitation stems from several misconceptions. The case against artificial grass is that it’s not as environmentally friendly as manufacturers claim. Typically, artificial grass is made out of plastic—a not so environmentally friendly substance.
Plastic is not the only material used to create artificial grass, though. Newer products are made with recycled plastics and rubbers, which can last anywhere from seven to 15 years. Rather than being thrown into landfills to harm the environment, obtaining artificial grass can mean you’re actually keeping those plastics out of landfills and contributing to a more useful, sustainable cause.
Another complaint against artificial grass is that it supposedly absorbs heat easily. However, in a region with a very hot climate, any sort of surface you have on your lawn (live or artificial) is going to feel the effects of the extreme heat that just comes with living in the area. Much like any other area, the heat absorption will just depend on the time of day. If you’re looking to sit in the sun at noon when the sun is at its hottest, you and your guests are going to fry on your lawn.
The days of lazing in the sun for a picnic with your family no longer have to be a fantasy you never live out. With artificial grass, you can live out that fantasy while also helping to build a more sustainable world.

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Sources:
Pros and Cons: Artificial Grass Versus a Live Lawn, gardenista.com
Good Looks & No Maintenance: Artificial Lawns, homeadvisor.com