Artificial turf has been around for decades. It was first introduced as a way to provide grass surfaces for urban areas. If you’re thinking about installing artificial grass in your yard, you’ve probably heard about its benefits. Depending on your water usage, an artificial lawn can pay for itself in a few years to a few months. It eliminates mowing, weeding, and the need for expensive weed killing and grass growing chemicals. Several styles and types of artificial grass are on the market today, all of which have different price points that impact your final costs.
Artificial Grass Cost Breakdown
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National average cost
Average range
Minimum cost
Maximum cost
$5,250
$3,000-$7,500
$2,250
$8,750
Artificial grass comes with a big upfront cost — $5 to $20 per square foot, depending on the quality of materials and labor costs. Of course this can be more or less depending on your market and your project. Once it’s down, it’s free for the next 15 to 25 years. Professionally laid sod, on the other hand, costs only 14 to 60 cents per square foot. But that’s where expenditures (and upkeep) begin. You’ve got to water, mow, fertilize — all of which cost money and take time.
The average yearly cost of artificial grass vs sod on a 500 sq ft lawn:
Artificial Grass
Installation ($12.50/sq. ft. average) $6,250
Annual costs:
Watering $0
Fertilizing $0
Maintenance $0
Annual Total: $0
Natural Sod
Installation (37 center/sq. ft. average) $185
Annual costs:
Watering $90 /year
Fertilizing $100 /year
Maintenance $650 /year
Annual Total: $840
It would take about seven years for low maintenance artificial grass to recoup its initial investment.
How Much Grass Do You Need
The amount of artificial grass you need depends on the size of your yard. First, figure the rough square footage of your lawn. Figuring the cost of artificial grass per square foot must include some wastage to be accurate. The general rule is to add 15% to the total square footage. Extra allows for cutting around curves and obstacles inside the lawn area. The key thing to keep in mind when ordering turf on our site is that rolls come in preset widths, typically 12 or 15 feet. You can select a custom length for your project.
Artificial Turf Uses
Many people use artificial grass in a variety of areas. It can completely cover your yard or create a lawn that is lower maintenance than grass. It can also be used in smaller areas, such as around hardscaping, in areas where pets play, and near saltwater pools, which can kill real grass. It can also be used to create play areas in the yard, such as areas for golfing or children’s play spaces. Because it can be installed on anything, you can also use it on rooftops, walkways, and even indoors. With increasing costs of mowing, fertilizer, sod, water, and other expenses artificial turf puts your money back where it belongs – in your wallet.