Since it’s a rise in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, artificial turf has been used as a lawn alternative for homeowners and in stadiums for sporting events like football. It’s come a long way since those days.

But this begs the question, how long does artificial turf last? The short answer is between 10 to 20 years. But that also depends on a bunch of different factors.

The first is how much wear and tear the turf will see. As with anything, the more it’s used, the more likely it will fall apart sooner.

How well it’s maintained is also a factor. There are a lot of benefits to having an artificial lawn in San Diego, not the least of which is how much less maintenance is required when compared with sod. However, regular maintenance is still required to lengthen the lifespan of your turf. Of course, that time may still be shortened if you choose to use your backyard as a football practice field.

But there are a few other factors to consider as well.

Quality of Materials Used

This is probably the most important factor to think about when trying to figure out how long your artificial turf will last.

For instance, basic quality plastic might not hold up in San Diego’s Summer heat and wet Winters. It might get damaged, or the color might start fading within just a year after installation. Synthetic plastics are a bit more durable and resilient, especially when taking heat into consideration.

When it comes to your lawn, it’s usually best not to cut corners. And when considering artificial turf, anything other than quality products would be cutting corners.

Installation Quality

Most people don’t consider how well something is installed as a measurement of how long it will last until it’s too late. When done right, artificial turf can withstand weed growth and other plant-based damage, as well as proper water drainage.

And while we know there are many DIYers who would love the chance to install this on their own, and they certainly can, it’s usually best left to professionals, mainly since they know what they are looking for without needing it pointed out to them and will end up saving money in the long run.

Maintenance

Since artificial turf needs little maintenance, there’s not a lot that needs to be done. That’s not to say that it still doesn’t need to be maintained. Making sure that your turf is cleaned at least once a month is a good way to ensure that your turf stays looking fresh and green for a long time.

Repairs as Needed

As we mentioned above, how much your turf is used can affect how long it lasts. Even then, accidents happen. A glass of juice or wine spills and stains a part of it, or something sharp falls and cuts it. It’s not the end of the world as it can be easily repaired when addressed sooner rather than later.

If there is an issue with your turf that needs to be repaired, make sure you call a professional to get it fixed for you, or for you DIYers, fix it promptly yourself, or it will become a much bigger, and more expensive, issue later down the road.  

Uses of Artificial Turf at Home

There are a few uses for installing artificial turf for your home. For many, backyard putting greens are a good use for it, especially considering the maintenance required for a natural putting green if you want to work on your short game.

With turf, save for the monthly maintenance, it’s mostly set it and forget it. Since it requires little to no maintenance, it can add beauty to an otherwise boring yard and serve as an accent to pools where normal grass would get harmed by the combination of chemicals and sunlight.

With many of the advancements in turf manufacturing, the prickly plastic feel isn’t nearly as much of an issue as it was in the 60s and 70s. Modern artificial turf looks and feels great and can sometimes be mistaken for living grass. This combination means that when you install artificial turf, you don’t have to worry about it messing up any landscaping you’ve already done.

Also Read: Artificial Turf vs. Real Grass – Which is More Eco Friendly?

Pros and Cons of Artificial Turf

As with any home improvement project, there are advantages and disadvantages to installing the artificial turf.

Let’s start with some disadvantages first.

The biggest is that turf does last a long time. Once you install it, it will look the same for years, even after that type of lawn goes out of fashion. If you decide that you want a different look for your yard, you could end up paying a lot to take it out and put something new in there.

However, this longevity can be considered a good thing, particularly in San Diego where water rationing tends to occur regularly. Since artificial turf isn’t a living lawn, you don’t have to worry about spending hundreds of dollars during the hot summer just to keep your grass from frying. At most, when maintaining it, all you would need would be to turn on your hose for about 20 minutes a month to clean it out. And in the events where water is rationed, you won’t have to worry about being fined or otherwise penalized for trying to upkeep your home.

All-in-all, with proper maintenance, your artificial turf can last you for up to 10 to 20 years, and even pay for itself within about half that time as well.