There are many benefits that come with swapping the natural grass in your yard for synthetic turf, particularly when it comes to the ease and lower expense of maintenance. However, even though synthetic grass has come a long way since its early days, there are still some down sides that should be taken into consideration when choosing this material. It’s always best to weigh the pros and cons in order to make the most informed decision possible.
While synthetic lawns don’t need to be watered or cut like natural grass, there are those who say that they do need to be disinfected on a regular basis. Natural turf is far better at breaking down certain types of pathogens than artificial turf is. On the plus side, there are varieties of microbes that you’re less likely to find in fake grass as compared to real grass.
Artificial turf can be harder on the skin than natural grass. Those who play sports (or simply play) that involve any sliding or other friction with the ground can find themselves with burns or abrasions from the contact. This can be particularly serious, as injuries received from artificial turf have been shown to have a higher risk of MRSA infection. Luckily, some of the latest artificial grasses are being made with polyethylene yarn, which is soft enough to eliminate this issue. Athletes and kids alike should still be aware that artificial grass will generally reach much higher temperatures in direct sunlight than natural grass will.
