When I first heard that people were actually using artificial turf to cover something besides baseball and soccer fields, I was surprised. Mostly I was surprised that no one had used this turf for their lawns before the 1990s. Or at least, the mainstream public did not.

But with the current need to conserve due to rising energy costs and just simply to be less wasteful and good to the earth, many have picked up this idea and are making something good with it.

While the idea has some positive aspects, as well as some negative ones, it is an idea that should be considered.

Residential

It is referred to as “Artificial Residential Grass” for those that wish to use the fake green for their own personal lawns.

What is interesting about this grass is that it can come in different varieties that actually look like different types of real grass. Options are given in types of grass that can be chosen, such as Bermuda, Rye, and Fescue. This can keep the neighbors guessing about that evergreen Bermuda grass that they never see you water.

Many places that sell this option of turf say it will hold up against fading and other problems for 8 years. They also advertise that this grass will only need less than a third of the water homeowners spend now. It never needs to be cut, doesn’t need a sprinkler system, and definitely does not need fertilizer.

Negatives

As with pretty much anything, there can be some downsides to having artificial turf for a yard. This grass can heat up and be warmer than real grass would be to walk on. People playing on this grass can also be "carpet burned" or cut easier. And players in sports often complain of the artificial turf’s lack of give when moving around on it, in contrast to real grass.

Owners also have to disinfect this grass periodically because it doesn’t break down pathogens like nature’s own grass does. Those that are interested must also look into the product they are buying to make sure it is not made with materials that can leak into the ground and water supply.

Although there are some cons, new types are always being improved upon and in terms of residential use, those improvements will come quickly as families play on this grass and find new ways of making it better.