Real Grass vs. Artificial Turf: Which Lawn is Better?
If you're redoing your yard, you’re probably wondering: Should I go with real grass or artificial turf?
Both have pros and cons, so I analyzed their cost, maintenance, and environmental impact to allow you to make an informed decision..
Materials
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is made from synthetic materials designed to mimic real grass. It typically consists of:
Plastic grass fibers (polyethylene or polypropylene)
A woven fabric backing for structure
A latex coating to enhance durability
Infill materials like recycled rubber or sand for support
Optional shock pads for extra cushioning
Real Grass
Real grass lawns are composed of different grass species, selected based on their intended use. For example, Bermuda grass is durable and quick to recover, making it ideal for high-traffic areas, while fescue and St. Augustine provide softer, more delicate options perfect for residential lawns.
When installing real grass, you have two options:
Sodding – Laying pre-grown rolls of grass for instant coverage
Seeding – Spreading seeds to grow grass naturally over time
🌱 Key Difference: Turf is synthetic and doesn’t grow, while real grass is a living plant that interacts with its environment.
Cost Breakdown
Cost depends on the size of your lawn, the materials used, and who installs it. So for this comparison, let's look at a 1,000 sq. ft. lawn over 20 years.
Artificial Turf Costs
Installation: ~$14 per sq. ft. → $14,000 total
Installation costs include materials and labor and range between $8,000 to $18,000 total.
Maintenance: ~$225 per year → $4,500 total
While artificial turf requires little maintenance, this accounts for typical annual costs including infill top ups, cleaning, repairs, etc. and typically ranges between $50 to $400 total.
Replacement: Every 15–20 years → $17,500 total
A high quality turf has a lifespan between 15 to 20 years and typically costs between $8,000 to $18,000 total.
💵 20-Year Total: ~$36,000
Real Grass Costs
Installation: ~$1.8 per sq. ft. → $1,800 total
Keep in mind installation costs will differ depending on which method you choose. Seeding costs range from $0.75 to $2.70 per square foot, totaling $750 to $2,700 for a 1,000 sq. ft. lawn. Sodding is more expensive, ranging from $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot, totaling $1,500 to $4,000.
Maintenance: ~$1,450 per year → $29,000 total
Annual maintenance, including mowing, fertilizing, and watering, can range from $600 to $2,300. Over 20 years, this amounts to $12,000 to $46,000 total.
Replacement: Not needed, since grass grows back
💵 20-Year Total: ~$30,800
Keep in mind these are all estimates and actual costs can vary based on specific choices and regional factors. For example, if you live in a drought prone area, you may end up spending more in real grass maintenance fees through increased watering. Or if you live in a flood prone area, you may end up spending more on repair costs for an artificial turf.
It's advisable to obtain detailed quotes from local providers to get a more accurate assessment tailored to your situation.
💵 Key Takeaway: Artificial turf costs more upfront but has lower maintenance, while real grass is cheaper to install but has higher upkeep.
Environmental Impact
The best way to look at their environmental impact is by considering three main factors: energy consumption, water consumption, and greenhouse gas production.
Artificial Turf
✅ No watering required
❌ Energy-intensive to produce (petroleum-based)
❌ Cannot absorb CO2 (adds to carbon footprint)
For a 1,000 square foot lawn, it’s estimated that:
0 gallons of water per year
15,000–25,000 kWh of energy (production + installation)
While exact numbers are not always readily available, it's acknowledged that the process consumes a significant amount of energy due to the petroleum-based materials and manufacturing processes involved. This estimate was calculated considering typical energy usage from turf manufacturing, shipping, and machinery used for installation.
+2,500–4,500 lbs of CO2 emissions (installation impact)
While exact numbers are difficult to calculate, it’s acknowledged that the processes to manufacture and install artificial turf create carbon emissions. This estimate was calculated considering emissions created during manufacturing, transportation, installation, and the urban heat island effect (indirect emissions).
Real Grass
❌ Requires regular watering
❌ Needs mowing (uses fuel/electricity)
✅ Absorbs carbon (a natural carbon sink!)
For a 1000 square foot lawn, it’s estimated that:
~48,396 gallons of water per year
This estimate varies in amount based on a combination of climate and location based factors. This calculation assumes approximately 0.623 gallons of water used per square foot per week.
46,000-94,000 kWh of energy over 20 years
This estimation considers maintenance activities such as mowing, watering, and fertilization application and calculated around 2,300-4,700 kWh of energy used per year
-1,000–3000 lbs CO₂ over 20 years
While exact numbers are difficult to calculate, typical sequestration rates of grass estimate that around 50 to 150 pounds of carbon dioxide can be sequestered each year by a well-maintained 1,000 square foot real grass lawn.
🌱Key Takeaway: While artificial turf eliminates water usage and reduces maintenance energy consumption, its production is energy-intensive and contributes to carbon emissions. In contrast, real grass lawns require substantial water and maintenance energy but offer the benefit of carbon sequestration. These factors should be carefully considered when choosing between artificial turf and real grass for your lawn.
The Best Alternative
There are a lot of factors at play here. Artificial turf is a water saver and low maintenance while real grass is an energy saver and a carbon sink. So which of the two is a better option for your home? Well surprise surprise it’s actually neither! The real winner is… NATIVE LANDSCAPING!
Native landscaping is the practice of using plants that are indigenous to a specific region or ecosystem in a garden or landscape design. So let’s quickly review how they stack up compared to traditional artificial turf and real grass lawns.
Materials
It uses drought-tolerant, region-specific plants that thrive naturally in your area—meaning:
Less watering
Minimal upkeep
No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides needed
Cost Breakdown
For a 1,000 square foot lawn over the course of a 20 year period, we get the following:
Installation: ~$1,400
Exact costs will vary greatly depending on the specific native plants, materials, and labor costs. Native landscaping is often more affordable to install than traditional lawns, as it typically requires less water, fewer fertilizers, and less maintenance overall.
Maintenance: $350 per year → $7,000 total
Native landscapes are lower-maintenance than traditional lawns due to their drought tolerance and adaptability, which reduces long-term costs.
Replacement: Not needed, since plants grow back
💵 20-Year Total: ~$8,400 (cheaper than both grass and turf!)
Environmental Impact
While native plants still require water, they will require less than traditional grass. So using the same 1,000 square foot example, we get:
Water use: ~2,250 gallons per year (80% less than grass!)
While exact amounts will vary, native plants typically only need 10–25% of the water needed by conventional grass.
Energy use: 135 kWh per year (lower than grass!)
This estimation reflects the minimal maintenance required for native landscapes. Native plants require minimal mowing, and irrigation (if needed) is often much less frequent or even eliminated after establishment.
Carbon footprint: -69 lbs CO2 per year (absorbs emissions like grass but needs less upkeep!)
Native plants are generally more effective at sequestering carbon in the soil compared to traditional lawns, due to their deep root systems and ability to grow in less disturbed soils.
BONUS: Native landscapes not only enhance local biodiversity and support wildlife, but they also improve soil health, reduce the need for chemical treatments, and help combat climate change through carbon sequestration. By incorporating plants that are naturally adapted to the local environment, they foster resilient ecosystems and provide habitats for pollinators, birds, and other beneficial creatures.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider and variations in calculations made in today’s example, but if you want a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn that saves you money and helps the planet, go with native landscaping!
If done properly, you enjoy lower maintenance costs, energy and water conservation, and long term savings on top of other benefits like improving local biodiversity, soil health, and a unique aesthetic that supports local animal life.
Resources & Examples
👉 Need inspiration? Check out this stunning example from Whelan Design House showcasing a resourceful, native garden.
By choosing native landscaping, you’re not just transforming your lawn—you’re making a positive impact on the environment and creating a sustainable, beautiful space for years to come
