Synthetic turf in place of natural grass for home lawns is becoming more popular and now a new Florida law went into effect on July 1 that could make it even easier for homeowners to replace natural with plastic.
Florida House Bill 683 regarding construction regulations prohibits local governments from banning synthetic turf installation on some single-family residential properties.
Jason Kruse is an associate professor of turfgrass science for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and has found many reasons why synthetic turf is continuing to grow in popularity.
“Homeowners are seeking alternatives to traditional lawns,” Kruse said. “This trend is largely driven by the perception that synthetic turf is easier to maintain and that it conserves water. However, much of that perception is shaped by marketing, rather than long-term research. When we look more closely at synthetic turf systems over time, the benefits are often more limited than people expect.”
There are many things that Kruse believes homeowners need to know before making a decision to go the path of turfgrass because although the typical maintenance of natural grass, such as mowing, weeding and fertilizing is not present, there are still other maintenance steps that should be taken for the best quality turf.
According to Kruse, homeowners often need to rinse the surface of synthetic turf to manage pet waste, control odors and remove dust.
They may choose to apply water to it to cool it down, particularly in hot weather. And synthetic turf requires periodic brushing and replacement of infill, the granular material between the fibers.
“Surface temperatures can exceed 160 degrees in full sun, which poses risks for both people and pets,” Kruse said.
Synthetic turf has a significantly higher upfront cost than natural grass.
According to Kruse, installing sod generally costs between 50 cents and $1.50 per square foot, while synthetic turf ranges from $5 to $15 per square foot, depending on the product and site conditions.
There are also certain environmental factors that could develop from stormwater runoff.
“Synthetic turf systems are installed over compacted soil, which reduces infiltration, or the beneficial entry of water into the soil, and increases the volume and speed of runoff,” Kruse said. “Research has shown that this runoff can carry heavy metals and other pollutants, especially when rubber infill is used.”
Synthetic surfaces are made from hypoallergenic materials, which is a benefit for people and pets with sensitivity to grass and pollen.
Whether it is a natural grass or synthetic lawn, one thing does not change: the weather in Florida is conducive to plenty of time outside no matter what time of year it is.
