10 Places Where Artificial Turf Makes Practical Sense
Look past the unnaturalness of fake grass and see it as a problem-solver in balconies and urban courtyards
Lauren Dunec Hoang
20 October 2016
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset's Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and... More
Artificial turf is a controversial topic. On one hand, it’s heralded as more environmentally friendly than a traditional lawn, because it doesn’t require water, fertiliser or mowing to look good. Another plus: Many manufacturers use recycled plastic bottles and tires to make synthetic grass. And with a variety of lengths, textures and colours to choose from, fake grass is getting closer in look and feel to the real thing.
That being said, artificial grass is not without its environmental drawbacks. While it cuts down on irrigation, it blankets your garden in plastic and requires a pollution-creating manufacturing process to reach your garden. It absorbs heat, which can cause off-gassing and make it uncomfortable to touch. For these reasons, it’s best not to consider artificial turf in warm climates where it will be in direct sun or close to walls that reflect heat.
While we’re not recommending installing synthetic grass to replace large expanses of lawn, using it in smaller applications has some merit. Given its durability, faux turf can be a real problem-solver in high-traffic areas of the garden, such as between walkway pavers or on driveway strips. Additionally, it can be used to bring green to balcony gardens and interior courtyards where real turf would be difficult to water and maintain.
That being said, artificial grass is not without its environmental drawbacks. While it cuts down on irrigation, it blankets your garden in plastic and requires a pollution-creating manufacturing process to reach your garden. It absorbs heat, which can cause off-gassing and make it uncomfortable to touch. For these reasons, it’s best not to consider artificial turf in warm climates where it will be in direct sun or close to walls that reflect heat.
While we’re not recommending installing synthetic grass to replace large expanses of lawn, using it in smaller applications has some merit. Given its durability, faux turf can be a real problem-solver in high-traffic areas of the garden, such as between walkway pavers or on driveway strips. Additionally, it can be used to bring green to balcony gardens and interior courtyards where real turf would be difficult to water and maintain.
1. Add softness to a balcony
Lush potted plants and the illusion of grass can transform an urban terrace into a garden. Synthetic turf can be a great solution for balconies and rooftop gardens where it could be impractical to grow and maintain a living ground cover. Here, an artificial turf rug set beneath the table looks soft and inviting for bare feet.
Lush potted plants and the illusion of grass can transform an urban terrace into a garden. Synthetic turf can be a great solution for balconies and rooftop gardens where it could be impractical to grow and maintain a living ground cover. Here, an artificial turf rug set beneath the table looks soft and inviting for bare feet.
Just imagine the hassle of clipping live grass on this narrow balcony off a Paris apartment. Conversely, artificial turf requires little maintenance and gives a laid-back feeling to this urban perch.
2. Give driveways some green
A narrow strip that runs beneath where a car is parked can be tricky to plant. The soil is often compacted from the weight of cars and not connected to garden irrigation systems. To get the look of a lush ground cover without the water or maintenance, install a strip of synthetic turf.
A narrow strip that runs beneath where a car is parked can be tricky to plant. The soil is often compacted from the weight of cars and not connected to garden irrigation systems. To get the look of a lush ground cover without the water or maintenance, install a strip of synthetic turf.
This home in Orange County, California, has fake turf set between flagstones and in the driveway strip. The effect is convincing enough that passersby could easily mistake this for a carefully maintained living driveway.
3. ‘Green up’ narrow side gardens
Synthetic grass can benefit tight areas that get heavy use. This side garden in Portland, Oregon, could have been entirely covered in concrete paving, but it would have looked much more utilitarian. Artificial turf gives a greener look but can still withstand foot traffic to the grill or a recycling bin’s being pulled from the backyard to the street.
Synthetic grass can benefit tight areas that get heavy use. This side garden in Portland, Oregon, could have been entirely covered in concrete paving, but it would have looked much more utilitarian. Artificial turf gives a greener look but can still withstand foot traffic to the grill or a recycling bin’s being pulled from the backyard to the street.
4. Set between pavers
Ground covers growing between pavers soften the hardscape and act as a transition from paved areas to the surrounding garden. While this is a great look, it can be difficult to maintain with living grass since pavers get in the way of the path of the mower. Artificial turf gives the same look without the need for mowing.
Ground covers growing between pavers soften the hardscape and act as a transition from paved areas to the surrounding garden. While this is a great look, it can be difficult to maintain with living grass since pavers get in the way of the path of the mower. Artificial turf gives the same look without the need for mowing.
In this Dallas backyard, artificial turf installed between cut stone pavers adds green to the patio without the maintenance needs of living grass.
5. Use as a soft surface for play
Artificial turf is tough enough to withstand heavy foot traffic but provides a cushy landing. Installed under a children’s swing set in this backyard in Brooklyn, New York, it acts as a landing pad that’s far softer than a deck or patio surface. Keep in mind that this application would be recommended only in areas away from direct sun or reflected heat, both of which can cause the turf to get uncomfortably warm for play.
Artificial turf is tough enough to withstand heavy foot traffic but provides a cushy landing. Installed under a children’s swing set in this backyard in Brooklyn, New York, it acts as a landing pad that’s far softer than a deck or patio surface. Keep in mind that this application would be recommended only in areas away from direct sun or reflected heat, both of which can cause the turf to get uncomfortably warm for play.
6. Add a patch of green to courtyards
Breaking up expanses of hardscape with soft artificial turf works well in small backyards. It might not be worth the trouble to get out the mower and maintain a 1.8 metres by 1.8 metres patch of grass in this Hampstead, London, courtyard. Artificial turf gives the same look of a lush area of green without the trouble.
Breaking up expanses of hardscape with soft artificial turf works well in small backyards. It might not be worth the trouble to get out the mower and maintain a 1.8 metres by 1.8 metres patch of grass in this Hampstead, London, courtyard. Artificial turf gives the same look of a lush area of green without the trouble.
7. Cover outdoor furniture
These playful poufs would undoubtably be a conversation-starter at any backyard party. Since faux turf is manufactured for outdoor use, it can stand up to exposure to the elements far better than most outdoor fabrics. Pick up a roll from your local home improvement store and cover outdoor cushions or ottomans for an unexpected accent.
These playful poufs would undoubtably be a conversation-starter at any backyard party. Since faux turf is manufactured for outdoor use, it can stand up to exposure to the elements far better than most outdoor fabrics. Pick up a roll from your local home improvement store and cover outdoor cushions or ottomans for an unexpected accent.
8. Create an easy clean-up surface for pets
Designed to be permeable to rainwater, fake grass absorbs liquid waste without discolouring. Remove solid waste by hand and hose down the area periodically to keep the surface clean.
Designed to be permeable to rainwater, fake grass absorbs liquid waste without discolouring. Remove solid waste by hand and hose down the area periodically to keep the surface clean.
9. Put it under outdoor furniture
Outdoor lounges, chairs and dining tables look inviting on soft grass, but it can be a chore to remove the setup for weekly mowing. For small areas, trade living lawn for artificial turf and you won’t need to move your furniture at all.
Outdoor lounges, chairs and dining tables look inviting on soft grass, but it can be a chore to remove the setup for weekly mowing. For small areas, trade living lawn for artificial turf and you won’t need to move your furniture at all.
10. Lay down a doormat
Synthetic grass is a useful material for transitioning from outside to indoors. Place a length of it as a doormat for guests to wipe their feet on before heading inside. Faux turf is tough, durable and can be hosed off when it gets muddy.
TELL US
Would you consider artificial turf in your home? If you have it already, share your photos with us in the Comments below.
MORE
So Faux So Good: Fake It With the Green, Green Grass of Home
Synthetic grass is a useful material for transitioning from outside to indoors. Place a length of it as a doormat for guests to wipe their feet on before heading inside. Faux turf is tough, durable and can be hosed off when it gets muddy.
TELL US
Would you consider artificial turf in your home? If you have it already, share your photos with us in the Comments below.
MORE
So Faux So Good: Fake It With the Green, Green Grass of Home
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Urban Planting
Hello, Potters: Container Plants for the Tropics
By Karla Rey
In this two-part series we present plants that you can grow in pots to provide screening and even cleaner air
Full Story
Urban Planting
The House Plants to Grow to Make You a Green Thumb
By Joel Poh
These five low-maintenance plants may not be as easy as throwing a bean out the window, but they could make it seem so
Full Story
Urban Planting
10 Ways to Bring the Great Outdoors Into Your Apartment
These simple touches can turn often-overlooked spaces into verdant areas that you'll love
Full Story
Most Popular
What Plants to Choose for Your Balcony Garden
Find out what you need to consider when choosing plants for your balcony, as well as a few leafy suggestions
Full Story
Balconies
Style Inspiration from Small Balconies Around the World
Don't let the tiny space you have stop you from enjoying your balcony. Take a tip from these stylish examples
Full Story
Expert Advice
How to Keep your Balcony Clean and Tidy
By mc2singapore
Make sure the extra space you have in your balcony is ever-ready for use
Full Story
Urban Planting
10 Positively Great Display Ideas for Your Houseplants
Check out these ways to make a bigger impact with your indoor potted displays
Full Story
Expert Advice
Styling and Caring for Your Outdoor Space in the Tropics
Learn how to create a stunning outdoor space whether you have sprawling grounds or HDB balcony, regardless of rain or shine
Full Story
Urban Planting
7 Plants for Prosperity
By Karla Rey
These low-maintenance greens are said to attract that other kind of green (good luck and prosperity)
Full Story
Urban Planting
5 Ways to Tell How Much Water Your Indoor Plants Really Need
Not too much, not too little – learn the right amount of water to give your indoor plants
Full Story
Has anyone used turf on top of existing concrete? We have a concrete slab around the pool which we are thinking to stone tile over. In order to minimize the cracks and of course a natural look, we like to use turf between tiles.
Question is what to do with a turf drainage?
In theory I hate the use of fake grass (well really fake anything pretending to be something that it is not), however, there are plenty of places where real grass just won’t grow and it is the only alternative. The quality and realism is improving all the time too.
Great to read this very balanced article on using artificial turf.
As a garden designer I could not agree more that it is very useful in specific instances (like the tiny square used in my design in the article above), but that it should absolutely not be used as a matter of routine, and not over large areas. The arguments put forward that it can be more environmentally friendly and lower maintenance than a real lawn are completely wrong.
Whilst some clients do use regular fertilizers and irrigation on their lawns, they are definitely the minority and most lawns, other than mowing regularly are usually left to their own devices. The move to a more relaxed approach with lawns, allowing a few daises and other weeds to grow too, adds to their positive ecological footprint. Recent studies have also shown that contrary to popular belief, a lawn can also sequester a large amount of CO2 and the soil supports a huge range of insects and other soil living creatures that are vital to our ecology..
In contrast to this, artificial turf is an ecological disaster!
Firstly it is manufactured which has a large negative impact. Whilst a number of makers are turning to using recycled plastic to make their products, this is usually not possible for all the components of the turf, so there is still new plastic being made. Also, although a number also say their product is in theory recyclable, due to the mix of plastics and the lack of facilities that can undertake the recycling, this basically never happens. Currently all artificial turf goes into landfill - vast quantities of it, as all of the turfs wear out (often quite quickly for the cheaper ones).
Secondly, in order to lay the turf, the good topsoil is dug out and throw away (more landfill mostly) and is replaced by an aggregate sub-base which gives a firm surface for the artificial turf to be laid upon. So not only do you loose the natural grass environment for nature, but you also loose the healthy living soil that is underneath it, together with all the creatures that live in it and all the CO2 it can sequester. Additionally, because the sub-base is often not as permeable as a good soil and because there is no grass using the rain-water, drainage can be an issue, with water being throw onto other parts of the garden and leading to flooding.
The low maintenance argument is all relative as you still need to look after it to keep it looking and feeling at its best. While you still have to pick up solid dog waste, real grass is self cleaning in the rain and the bacteria in the soil break down waste products and odors. I could go on - it gets very hot in the sun for instance, but hopefully you are getting the message.
So - please think very, very carefully before you coat your garden in plastic for the perceived benefit of a low maintenance and attractive looking lawn. It is neither of those things and it is positively destroying the ecosystems in your garden.