No longer does the term ‘artificial grass’ just bring to mind mini-golf putting greens or pointy, unconvincing turf. In many cases now you’d be pressed to notice the difference between synthetic or the real thing. However, while real grass lasts about thirty to forty years with proper maintenance, how long does artificial grass last?
How Long Does Artificial Grass Last?
‘Quite a while’ is a little bit of an understatement to describe its lifespan; you’d be surprised how long artificial grass can actually last. With the proper care and maintenance, artificial grass has an approximate lifespan of twenty years.
However, this number fluctuates depending on the quality of the artificial turf. Synthetic turf’s artificial grass selection is designed to last and is constructed and installed with quality and care in mind.
Aside from the proper installation, there are several things you can do to improve the longevity of your synthetic turf.
Prolong the Lifespan of Your Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is not ‘maintenance-free’, and regular care will do wonders to not only improve its appearance but also extend its life.
- Avoid letting leaves and debris build up on your lawn by using a leaf blower, raking with a plastic rake, or using a broom. Leaves won’t cause immediate damage but letting them decay will create organic matter which potential weeds will thrive and germinate from. The longer the weeds are left untreated the more difficult they will be to remove.
- Brush your lawn regularly with a stiff broom (non-metal). This will break up any microscopic roots from weeds before they are visible to the naked eye. Plus, this will help keep the plastic fibers in the best condition. Remember to brush against, or into, the direction the fibers are leaning.
- Heavy items can be put on synthetic turf, but they shouldn’t stay there–any depression created in the subbase will be very difficult to fix. Rotate, or move around heavy equipment and machinery so that your artificial grass wears evenly across your entire lawn. The same should also be done for furniture and patio items.
- Remove stains as quickly as they happen for the best opportunity to remove them with ease using a clean cloth or dry absorbent like kitty litter. Just make sure to vacuum up any dry absorbent after it has captured the stain. If a stain or mess has hardened, use a plastic spatula or knife to remove it.
Artificial grass – while not yet reaching the life-expectancy of real grass – is an investment that will last many years with the proper care. You can extend the lifespan of yours using the tips above and ensure enjoying its perks for years to come.