AstroTurf vs. Grass

Fake grass has come a long way since the 1950s.

AstroTurf provides a fairly maintenance-free, hypoallergenic lawn for those who have trouble growing grass, or who have little time to care for real grass. However, it is not without its problems. Fake grass holds heat, costs a lot to install, has a slippery surface that can increase in bone fractures and other injuries, and the turf may even harbor bacteria, fungi and toxins. Real grass is cheaper, but requires a lot more maintenance. To choose what is right for your landscape, know the pros and cons of both.

History of AstroTurf

Artificial turf, once known as ChemGrass, has been around since the 1950s. In the 1970s and '80s, its popularity grew as it became a substitute grass for sports arenas. It got the name AstroTurf because the Houston Astrodome was the first arena to use the turf.

Types of Artificial Turf

Artificial sports turf or AstroTurf is used year-round and is created to take a beating. Synthetic display grass is often used at exhibitions or in large malls where the emphasis is on visual beauty. Landscaping turf is perfect for lawns and parks, because of its simple maintenance and visual appeal. Artificial turf is often used in stage plays, television shows and movies.

Over the years AstroTurf has gone from looking like a bright green, thin carpet, to long, individually-defined blades of synthetic grass, complete with a layer of rubber cushioning underneath the faux top.

Arguments for Grass

Those playing on artificial turf can be exposed to latex allergens from the rubber in the turf. Synthetic grass may contain harmful chemicals that can be released as airborne toxins.

Nearly 300 football players in Texas were infected with MRSA, a staph infection, from 2003 through 2005. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, this was a rate of 517 for every 100,000 players. The average is 32 in 100,000 players. The study indicates that some artificial turf may cling to bacteria longer than grass or cause more skin abrasions, opening the body up to infection more so than natural grass.

Because of the recycled-rubber tire ingredients that make up the layer of cushioning, fake grass tends to heat up quickly and hold heat, which requires you to water it regularly. According to the University of Arkansas, faux grass has been known to heat up to 199 degrees Fahrenheit on a warm, sunny day.

Though AstroTurf is low-maintenance, it is not maintenance-free. As you would with regular grass, you still have to remove leaves that fall onto it and clean up your dog's messes.

Arguments for Fake Turf

Many faux-grass companies make their turf from hypoallergenic materials, so they may actually help those with allergies. Synthetic turf reduces the need for pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, cutting down on harmful chemicals people with allergies have to breathe when outside. Fake grass can be cleaned with soap and water, removing dirt that may have been brought onto the turf from an outside source.

You will never have to weed or mow your faux grass. You can just sit back and enjoy your low-maintenance yard without the hassle and noise of a lawn mower. Also, if you live in an area, such as the Southwest, where grass is difficult---if not impossible---to grow, faux grass will allow you to have the yard you have always wanted, even if the surrounding area is desert.

Cost Comparisons

Though synthetic turf is much more expensive than sod, it tends to last for years, so you save money by not resodding, fertilizing or mowing your lawn for the next 10 to 12 years. You also may save money on allergy medications and trips to your allergist, if you have hypoallergenic turf in your yard.

However, you must also consider the cost of removing the turf once it is past its prime. Environmental Health Perspectives suggests that since the fill in the turf is made from recycled rubber tires, it must be disposed of using strict environmental safety guidelines. Disposing of a fake turf area the size of a football field could cost as much as a new home, according to the University of Arkansas

References

• AstroTurf: History
• Environmental Health Perspectives: Synthetic Turf: Health Debate Takes Root
• University of Arkansas: Turfgrass Science: Synthetic Turf vs. Natural Grass Athletic Fields