Over the years, artificial lawns have increasingly become popular. Unlike natural grass, artificial lawns are low maintenance yet offer excellent aesthetics.
Another advantage of artificial grass is that you can use it for both indoor and outdoor spaces. So how much is an artificial lawn?
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The cost of an artificial lawn
Contrary to popular belief, artificial lawns are not so expensive. Experts report that installing an artificial lawn costs approximately $12.33 in one square foot. Of course, this price varies depending on the type of artificial grass and the installer.
At times, installing artificial grass can be as low as $5.50 and as high as $ 18.75 per square foot. This price is inclusive of labor and artificial grass.
On average, you should expect to pay about $6,000 for artificial grass installation. However, note that if your yard is bigger, you will pay more. Also, high-quality turfgrass tends to be more costly than common turfgrass.
Generally, the price of artificial grass should lie between $3,000 to $7,000. The maintenance costs of artificial grass also vary depending on the turf type. For example, synthetic turf needs zero maintenance.
Even so, you need not worry; most artificial grass incorporates very low maintenance costs. This is because artificial grass does not require fertilizer, mowing, or watering.
At the same time, artificial grass stays green all year. All in all, installing an artificial lawn is worth your money.
Cost estimator by artificial grass type
As mentioned earlier, the cost of installing an artificial lawn depends on the synthetic grass type. Generally, there are three main types of artificial turf; nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
Each of these turf types offers different characteristics. Consequently, they have different prices. Let’s take a detailed look at each of these turf types and their costs. However, note that high-quality turf is more expensive.
Polypropylene turf grass
If you are looking for affordable turf, consider polypropylene. This turf costs as low as $1.60 to $6.75 per square foot. Nevertheless, this turf is not durable. It cannot survive in areas with high temperatures.
Additionally, this type of turf cannot withstand a lot of traffic. Thus, it works best in shady places and areas with cool temperatures. Polypropylene turf, therefore, does not make an excellent outdoor grass. It is best used in indoor spaces where there is minimal foot traffic.
Polyethylene turf grass
This turf type is more natural and softer to the touch. Polyethylene looks like a natural lawn and is durable compared to polypropylene. It is able to withstand high foot traffic and temperatures. Thus, you can use it for your outdoor spaces.
If you want to create an outdoor playmat for your children, consider using polyethylene since it’s softer than nylon and polypropylene. Polyethylene is, however, more costly than polypropylene.
It goes for approximately $2.55 to $3.85 per square foot. Another advantage of this artificial grass is that it has a good drainage system. Thus, it serves as an excellent choice for pets.
Nevertheless, this turf type is not as durable as nylon. But you can always find high-quality polyethylene turfs that are durable, like nylon.
Nylon turf grass
Nylon is the most expensive turf type at present. It costs approximately $5.05 to $5.83. The reason for these high costs is its durability. Nylon is the most durable artificial grass type.
It can withstand high temperatures, excessive weight, and high foot traffic. Nylon can look new for years; hence you won’t have to replace it frequently. Even so, note that nylon turf can feel hard to the touch due to its durability.
Thus, it may not be an ideal option if you are trying to create an outdoor playing area for your kids. Nylon is best used in fields used for sports. The major downside of nylon is its cost.
Which is the best turf among the three?
Before installing any artificial lawn, it is essential to understand the different types of turf available. Ensure you weigh their pros and cons before purchasing them.
More often than not, the type of turf you are buying depends on your requirements. For example, if you want to create a play area for your children, it would be best to go for polyethylene. On the other hand, if you wish to use turf for a sports field, nylon works best for you.
Nonetheless, it is essential to note that nylon offers the most durability but is the most expensive. Polyethylene is averagely priced but offers low durability compared to nylon.
Lastly, polypropylene is the cheapest but offers the least durability. Knowing this kind of information will help you determine your best artificial lawn option.
Factors affecting the price of an artificial lawn
As mentioned earlier, the price of an artificial lawn varies depending on various factors. Let’s look at some of the factors that affect the cost of an artificial lawn.
Brand of the artificial grass
Indisputably, the brand of artificial grass affects the cost. Usually, high-quality turf grass is expensive, while low-quality artificial grass is slightly cheaper.
When purchasing artificial grass for your lawn, ensure you are buying from a reputable brand. Remember, there are many brands that sell artificial grass. For example, EasyTurf sells its artificial grass for approximately $1.50 to $2.00.
Perfect turf sells artificial grass for $3.88 to $5.00. OneLawn, on the other hand, sells turf for $2.15 to $7.15. Regardless of the brand you purchase from, ensure you check the quality of the grass. Moreover, the brand you are buying from should offer value for money.
Blade shape
Did you know that the blade shape affects the price of artificial grass? Blades come in different shapes, hence determining the overall appearance of the turf. Some blade shapes are generally more expensive than others.
Your manufacturer can best explain the difference between blade shapes before you decide to purchase the turf. Always choose a blade shape that looks appealing to your eyes and that can complement your backyard.
The size of your property
Needless to say, the size of your outdoor space determines the total price of artificial lawn installation. Remember, most installers charge labor per square foot.
As a result, the bigger the surface area, the more you’ll have to pay. Also, note that larger spaces need more turf. So, you’ll have to spend more money buying turf grass.
Your total costs can triple or double depending on the size of your space. Luckily, you can always reduce the size of the artificial lawn, especially if you are working under a tight budget.
Area shape
Aside from the size of your property, the area shape of the space also affects the overall costs. Generally, more complicated spaces will cost more. So, what are complex spaces?
If your area has more corners and angles, your installers will have a hard time installing the artificial grass. Also, they will have to customize the turf grass so that it can fit all the corners; and this often takes them a lot of time.
Therefore, they are likely to take more time for installation and charge you more. On the other hand, if you have an area with straight angles, you are likely to pay cheaper for installation.
Why have a artificial lawn?
Artificial lawns offer a wide array of benefits. Not only are they excellent sources of aesthetics, but they also provide great functionality. You can use artificial lawns to create playgrounds and sports fields.
Moreover, you can use an artificial lawn to spice up your balcony. The best thing about artificial lawns is that they incorporate low initial and lifetime costs. The cost of artificial lawns varies depending on various factors like the turf type and size of the area.
But on average, installing an artificial lawn costs $6,000 in a 500 square foot room. Ultimately, artificial lawns are great features since they offer value for money.