Turf vs. Grass: The Pros and Cons of Each, According to an Expert

It's time to settle this backyard debate.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:43pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single lawn mower icon repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the debate over natural grass versus artificial turf in a conceptual pop art style.The debate over the best backyard lawn material - natural grass or artificial turf - highlights the trade-offs between aesthetics, maintenance, and environmental impact.Tempe Today

Maintaining a pristine lawn made of natural grass is no easy feat. If you're tired of mowing your lawn every week or sick of tackling brown patches every summer, you might be wondering if making the switch to artificial turf is a smarter choice. To settle the turf vs. grass debate, we consulted an expert who shares the real dirt on each option, including the pros and cons of each.

Why it matters

For your family, your neighbors, your future visitors, and yourself, a spick-and-span outdoor space is a lot more enjoyable than a disorderly one. Choosing the right lawn material can have a big impact on the look and feel of your backyard, as well as the time and money required to maintain it.

The details

Artificial turf offers several advantages, including being cost-effective over time, low-maintenance, long-lasting, and water-conserving. However, it also has downsides like being expensive upfront, trapping heat, requiring consistent cleaning, and not being biodegradable. On the other hand, real grass has a naturally beautiful look and feel, stays cool, and is less expensive to install, but it is high-maintenance, unpredictable, and can hurt the environment.

  • The article was published on April 10, 2026.

The players

Tom Smith

The owner of Desert Designer Landscape and Development in Tempe, Arizona, who was consulted for his expert opinion on the pros and cons of turf versus grass.

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What they’re saying

“The three biggest advantages to installing artificial grass are saving money on your water bill, eliminating yard maintenance, and never worrying about grass dying.”

— Tom Smith, Owner, Desert Designer Landscape and Development

“If you maintain it properly, it will hit the 20-year mark.”

— Tom Smith, Owner, Desert Designer Landscape and Development

“People think artificial grass feels like natural grass in the heat, but it's more like carpet or concrete.”

— Tom Smith, Owner, Desert Designer Landscape and Development

“If you have pets, hose it down once a week. If not, once a month is fine.”

— Tom Smith, Owner, Desert Designer Landscape and Development

“Artificial grass is about long-term savings and convenience. If you're ready for that trade-off, it's a great option.”

— Tom Smith, Owner, Desert Designer Landscape and Development

The takeaway

Choosing between turf and grass for your lawn depends on your lifestyle and how much time and money you're willing to invest in your yard. Turf offers long-term savings and convenience, but has higher upfront costs and potential environmental concerns. Grass is more cost-effective to install but requires more intensive maintenance. Homeowners should carefully consider the trade-offs before committing to one option or the other.