Artificial grass landscaping has grown 15 percent in the past year in the U.S. as more people appreciate the benefits of artificial turf. How much does artificial turf installation and maintenance cost? We’ll answer that and more.
Artificial Grass Cost
Lawn care is a lot of work and takes a lot of resources. Water, fertilizer, and exertions can all devour up a while and money. If you live in a hot area or of regular yard maintenance, artificial turf lawns or artificial grass may be the right choice for you.
Artificial grass costs $5 to $18 per square foot, with a national average of $11.5 per square foot. If you have a 1,000-square-foot yard, you’ll be spending about $11,500. Note that the total artificial grass cost will vary depending on the brand of turf, the type of material, and where you buy it.
Factors to Calculating
How much is artificial grass? It depends on several factors. Prices vary nationally due to yard size and shape, turf material, turf brand, labor costs, installation location, grass blade shape, base material, grass barrier, irrigation, site preparation, cleaning, and geographic location. May vary from average. Some websites have a helpful artificial grass cost calculator to estimate the artificial grass cost of installation in your area. Keep reading to get a better idea of what affects artificial turf grass prices.
What Is Artificial Grass?
Fake grass and turf consist of filaments threaded over a web backing. Most artificial grasses today are made of nylon and are laid over a layer of compacted gravel. They can also be made from polyethylene or polypropylene that is colored to mimic the natural color of grass. The voids in the webbing are then filled with waste rubber or a type of sand to mimic the texture of dirt and soil.
The cost of artificial grass ranges from $1 to $8 per square foot for the material, depending on the type of artificial grass you choose and the manufacturer. Popular brands like AstroTurf will cost upwards of $5 per square foot, while synthetic grass manufacturers can charge as little as $1 to $3 per square foot. You’ll also need to factor in the installation of artificial grass cost, which can easily double the initial cost of a new artificial turf lawn.
Yard Size and Shape
Artificial grass cost runs between $2 and $8 per square foot, depending on the type and brand. Some stores sell artificial grass cost by the roll or by the linear foot, and some places can cut turf to custom sizes. Artificial grass cost rolls typically come in widths between 7 and 15 feet. Larger regions would require greater material, so one can grow the general value of the project.
Cutting artificial grass to fit an unusually shaped area can add to the overall artificial grass cost. Curved designs or mowing areas that are not square or rectangular can add $1 to $3 or more to labor costs.
Turf Material
Artificial grass cost is manufactured from nylon, polypropylene, or polyethylene. Each material has unique properties and characteristics that may work better for certain locations or needs. Each type of turf material is discussed in more detail in the sections below.
Turf Brand
The best artificial grass cost allows homeowners, their family, and their friends to enjoy the backyard, and they won’t have to worry about lawn maintenance and upkeep. When deciding on artificial turf, there are many brands to choose from at different quality and price levels. Here are some common artificial grass cost brands and their average prices per square foot.
Field Turf Landscape: $1.80 per square foot
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A lawn: $2.30 to $7.30 per square foot
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Pereira: $2.60 to $3.67 per square foot
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Perfect turf: $4 to $5 per square foot
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K9Grass: $4.50 to $9.50 per square foot
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ForeverLawn: $4.50 to $9.50 per square foot
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Pro Green: $4.50 to $11.50 per square foot
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SYNLawn: $5.50 to $7.50 per square foot
Labor
Labor costs can run from $3 to $12 per square foot, depending on the type of artificial turf, the size of the area, and the amount of prep work. Keep in mind that labor costs are generally more expensive in densely populated urban areas than in more rural areas.
Installation Location
Before planting artificial grass cost, the area needs to be prepared. This includes removing rocks and tree stumps, excavating, and resurfacing the area. If the location is difficult to access or if the area requires extensive cleaning, this will result in higher labor costs. Sometimes homeowners choose to plant fake grass in unusual places, such as stairs, roofs, decks, patios, concrete surfaces, walls, indoors, or in children’s or pet play areas. These locations can affect the price of fake grass because they require special adhesives and additional treatments to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Blade Shape
Artificial grass comes with a variety of blade shapes to make the turf look more realistic. In the early days of artificial grass cost production, the grass looked more like a carpet than a real lawn. Today’s artificial grass blades come in varying lengths of 2 or 4 inches to add a more natural look. Here are the different blade shapes and their features.
C-shaped blades of grass. C-shaped blades are long-lasting, durable, and straight in shape.
M-shaped grass blades. These are probably the maximum realistic-searching synthetic grass blades.
S-shaped blades of grass. S-shaped blades also look realistic and are softer underfoot, but are not as durable or heat resistant.
U-shaped grass blades. These artificial blades are long-lasting, durable, and soft.
V-shaped blades of grass. V-shaped blades are suitable for high-traffic areas and have a faster recovery time.
W-shaped blades of grass. Natural-looking W-shaped blades are the most heat-resistant, durable, and long-lasting artificial grass blades.
Base Material
The base material needs to be laid before the turf for easy removal of artificial grass. Core materials consist of crushed rock or decomposed granite and landscape fabric to prevent weed growth. Crushed rock and decomposed granite artificial grass cost $0.30 to $0.70 per square foot, and landscape fabric runs from $0.40 to $0.80 per square foot.
Infill is an important part of an artificial grass installation. Applied after artificial grass, infill consists of sand or rubber that supports the fake grass blades, keeps them straight, weighs down the artificial grass, and extends the life of the artificial lawn. Some types of infill are treated with an antimicrobial coating that helps prevent bacterial growth and eliminate pet waste odors. Infill also provides a soft layer underfoot so that artificial grass feels more natural and alive. Infill is usually applied over artificial grass with a spreader to ensure even application. A push broom is used to spread the infill and ensure that it falls to the base of the artificial lawn. Without infill, artificial lawns will lack the natural feel and look of traditional lawns.
Artificial Turf vs. Grass Lawn Costs
Let’s do some quick calculations to estimate the costs of artificial turf compared to natural grass lawns. Using a $5 per square foot cost for materials and $12 average installation for 500 square feet of artificial turf, that comes to about $8,500 installed ($2,500 for turf and $6,000 for installation).
Now, assuming an average of $0.38 per square foot of sod and an average of $2 per square foot installed, 500 square feet of sod would cost about $1,200.
However, installation costs are only part of the equation. You also need to consider maintenance costs. Assuming a 500-square-foot yard, natural sod grass maintenance costs around $750-$2,000, including fertilizer, gardening expenses, and 6 months of water (since you won’t be watering the lawn for half the year).
In contrast, artificial turf has zero maintenance or labor costs. That means in total, the artificial grass cost to install and maintain sod for a year is between $2,000-$4,000, give or take a few hundred dollars. You also need to factor in annual maintenance costs of about $1,000 per year thereafter.
This is a huge difference, but you need to keep in mind that artificial turf will pay for itself in a few years because there are very few costs associated with maintenance. According to our estimation, artificial turf will pay for itself in about 3-4 years. So if you plan to stay in your current location for a few years, artificial turf may be a good choice.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Answering the question “How much does artificial grass cost?” It is vital to be aware of any extra fees and concerns that can upload to the general price. These may include debris removal, additional landscaping, and maintenance.
Debris Removal
After excavation, dirt, grass, landscaping, rocks, tree stumps, and any concrete need to be removed. Some professionals may include the cost of removal with their labor costs, but others will include a separate charge for debris removal in their estimate. Be sure to check with the artificial grass cost installation company about their removal policies and pricing.
Additional Landscaping
Some landscape changes may be required around newly installed artificial grass. If a homeowner wants to install new flower beds, trees, mulch, or shrubs, this will add a significant amount to the overall artificial grass cost of the installation project.
Maintenance
Although an artificial grass yard requires significantly less maintenance than a traditional lawn, it still requires some maintenance. Artificial turf that is worn by pets requires to be periodically thoroughly rinsed, cleaned, and deodorized to put odors at bay. Spraying should be carried about twice a year to prevent weeds from pulling up or developing if they are able to break through the grass barrier. A power washer, a hose, and a tight broom can be used to remove dirt and debris. Brooms are also able to tidy up artificial grass blades that may have raveled down. In order to maintain the finest appearance for artificial grass, rake is recommended to remove leaves, twigs, and other waste.
How to Save Money on Artificial Grass Cost
Budgeting for the cost of artificial grass can be difficult, especially when using an artificial grass cost calculator and knowing all the additional costs associated with the project. Here are some methods to keep cash on synthetic grass setup without compromising on quality.
Get multiple quotes. Get a minimum of 3 rate fees from professional synthetic grass installers in your area.
Buy wholesale. Buying fake grass from a wholesale artificial turf supplier can save landscapers the product markup.
Do some preparation yourself. It is vital to be aware of any extra fees and concerns that can upload to the general price.
Buy scrap pieces. Artificial grass clippings are usually available at a discounted rate. Brooms are also able to tidy artificial grass tips that have possibly raveled down.
Low maintenance costs. Installing artificial lawns will reduce the overall maintenance of artificial grass cost because artificial grass requires significantly less maintenance than natural lawns.
Improve lawn stability. The use of artificial grass increases the durability of the lawn area and reduces the time and money spent on maintaining, reseeding, and watering traditional, natural lawns.
Artificial Turf Cost Bottom Line
An Artificial grass is becoming more popular due to its low maintenance requirements and ease of use. The Artificial turf can save you hundreds of years in lawn care costs. Although the initial artificial grass cost of artificial turf is high, it can be very affordable in the long run.