Why Artificial Grass is Growing in Popularity

reason one of the world’s largest lawn maintenance companies selected the name ChemLawn, after all!). Those same parents and pet owners will not need to fret about those little ones tracking in mud from an artificial lawn. For those who suffer grass allergies, artificial turf will keep the allergy attacks at bay.

Disadvantages of Artificial Turf In the past, artificial turf looked remarkably fake and had the tendency to attract more heat than an 18year old speeding in their mom’s red Ferrari. In recent years, some significant improvements in the design and development of next generation artificial turfs have dramatically reduced these problems.

Nowadays, the biggest disadvantage to artificial turf is the cost. Installation of a small area of top-quality artificial turf can cost in excess of $40 per square foot, which is more expensive than many ceramic tile and hardwood floors. Alternatives are available that can bring down these costs dramatically.

Installation Process Contractors utilize a variety of approaches to installing artificial turf lawns. Generally, the first step is to create a base, which requires digging several inches of top soil from the area where the new artificial turf will sit. This soil is replaced with base rock, which compacts well and forms a solid base.

Next, many contractors utilize a level of fine shredded rubber that comes from recycled tires. Additionally, or alternatively, some contractors use a layer of sand. Either way, this level is designed to create a very smooth surface upon which the artificial turf is applied.

Then, the artificial turf is rolled out in 15-foot wide sections from rolls that weigh about 600 pounds. When the area is wider than 15 feet, the material is seamed together in a fashion very similar to wall-towall carpeting.

Lastly, the contractor installs small stakes through the material into the base rock. This serves as an anchor, and the stakes are typically placed about every 6 to 9 inches on center. Finally, a very light layer of sand is spread over the top of the material, which settles down into the base of the grass.

Impact on Real Estate Resale Value As the head of DeLeon Realty’s listing team, one of the most common artificial turf questions I get is whether or not it is worth it for a seller to replace their existing lawn with artificial turf for resale value. Generally, the answer is “no” if the area is irrigated and trees do not prohibit natural turf growing.

In situations in which the seller already has an effective irrigation system, and trees do not inhibit growth, DeLeon Realty has a top-of-the-line over-seeder that can strengthen the condition of natural turf lawns by cutting slits in the soil, injecting seeds, and closing up the slits – all at no cost to our sellers.

However, I do think an artificial turf lawn will pay for itself in situations in which natural grass is not a realistic option.

Additionally, artificial turf may be a financially wise move if the costs are brought down to a reasonable level. DeLeon Design and Construction has entered into a wholesale arrangement with turf providers whereby we can purchase the artificial turf at less than $2 per square foot! Even with the cost of the base rock and other materials, the client cost is dramatically less than some other options on the market. As always, we do not charge any sort of a markup on these services we provide to our clients. In fact, sometimes we replace areas with artificial turf at no charge to our sellers.

If someone is purchasing a home and they would enjoy having an artificial turf lawn, they should seriously consider the possibility of installing a synthetic lawn. On the other hand, if a seller is thinking about adding artificial turf for resale value, they should consult with me for a specific analysis.