Does Artificial Grass Increase Home Value? (Find Out Now!)
When you hear about astroturf, you probably think of the type of places where people play sports. Artificial grass is rare for actual homes to have, but it does happen. When it does, it tends to be done for maintenance reasons. But, does this hard-to-find home improvement project actually increase home value or is it a waste of money?
Studies have shown that adding artificial grass to your home can improve your property values significantly. However, you have to remember that the price of artificial grass will put a dent into how profitable your home value increase will be.
It can be hard to figure out how much money back you can expect from am installation. We’re going to get into it now.
Don't want to do it yourself?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Does Artificial Grass Really Improve Home Value?
Yes, it does. However, it has been pretty hard to figure out how much money you can expect from an installation of your artificial grass. According to one survey on Money Magazine, artificial grass installations provide a 100 to 200 percent return on investment. This makes it a massively popular choice for people who want to max out their investments.
How Much Does Artificial Grass Improve The Value Of Your Home?
Let’s do the math on this. Installing artificial grass will cost around $10 to $15 per square foot. A 500-square foot lawn will cost $5,000 and provide an additional $5,000 to $10,000 to your home’s value. This makes it a highly profitable option for anyone who wants to flip their home.
Is Artificial Grass Cheaper Than Real Sod?
It depends on what you are looking at. Installation-wise, real sod is going to be far cheaper than trying to get a full artificial lawn. However, when you take a look at the maintenance costs, artificial grass ends up being cheaper than real sod. Artificial grass has almost no maintenance—no trimming, no relaying, and no fertilizer.
You have to remember that landscaping costs between $4 to $12 per square foot after you factor in installation. That’s an annual cost, too. Needless to say, artificial grass installation tends to pay for itself within a matter of a couple of years.
Why Is Artificial Grass Beneficial To Your Home’s Value?
If you want to know why, it’s not just because it’s a status symbol. Rather, it’s more about the benefits that it offers for homeowners. Here’s what you should know about the perks of having faux grass.
- It requires no maintenance. Well, almost none. You just have to rinse it off. This means no mulching, no weeding, no watering, and no mowing. Woo! This cuts down on your lawn work immensely.
- Artificial grass is also earth-friendly. Believe it or not, artificial grass is starting to become more eco-friendly through its creation. Much of it is being made from recycled plastic and can be recycled again. It also happens to be non-toxic to pets and kids, making it a safe choice.
- Artificial grass doesn’t smell bad, either. Though a lot of anti-artificial folks try to smear it as saying it has a plasticky smell, the truth is actually quite different. Studies show that artificial grass tends to have less odor than regular grass. It’s also built to stay odor-free, even when dogs use it as their bathroom.
- Most people will not be able to tell the difference between high-quality faux grass and real grass. It’s actually pretty amazing how soft and lush this stuff can be. You can even get customized textures for purposes like golfing or playing football.
- You never have to worry about your grass looking shoddy. Artificial grass always looks good and put-together, even in the dead of winter. There’s no browning or spots. If you have a hard time growing grass, it’s a good choice to make. You also don’t have to worry about that awkward time between seeding and not having a fully grown lawn.
- It’s less likely to catch fire. Obviously, there will always be exceptions to this rule, but this is a major important matter. While it can melt, it won’t be as big of a fire risk as grass. If you live in a flammable area like California, this can be a major perk.
- Finally, it’s a long-lasting option. Depending on the type of faux grass that you have, you can expect your new “lawn” to last for as much as 10 to 20 years. Sometimes, people are able to stretch it for even longer periods of time. So, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Do All HOAs Allow Artificial Lawns?
Here’s one thing that you need to be aware of when it comes to your plans for an artificial lawn: local guidelines. Though we’re fans of artificial lawns at Upgraded Home, the same cannot be said about local governments or HOAs. Some groups won’t allow them for one reason or another.
From what we’ve noticed, a very large percentage of HOAs will not allow you to install artificial lawns. This is often due to a concern about the matter of carbon emissions that come with making them, or as a result of people feeling like it looks inauthentic. Regardless of the reason, the effect is still pretty obvious: it could be a no-go for you.
If you are not sure whether or not your community allows artificial grass, ask before you try to call up a company to get it done. Otherwise, you could get fined or even asked to get it taken down.
Is Everyone Interested In Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass is unique when it comes to lawn care, simply because of the nature it has. It’s a surprisingly divisive upgrade. While many people (myself included) like the idea of never having to mow a lawn again, the truth is that artificial lawns have a bit of a stigma in many circles.
Many groups find artificial grass to be bad for the environment overall, and they’re not entirely wrong about it. Grass is good for the environment. It releases oxygen into our atmosphere. Fake grass doesn’t help cut down on greenhouse gasses.
Moreover, some people just find the idea of artificial grass to remind them a little bit too much of Pleasantville. It will obviously have a synthetic look to it—even if the look itself is far more subtle than it once was. As a result, not everyone is going to want to buy a home with faux grass.
Don't want to do it yourself?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Related Questions
What should you do if your artificial lawn gets burned?
If you have a piece of burning coal or ash hit your lawn, most of the time, it’s fine to just brush it off. Grass in artificial lawns can hide most items. If the burn marks are very noticeable, you can usually cut a section of your lawn out and replace it with a new patch of artificial grass. Calling professional installers can help you make the most of your repair.
What should you put underneath an artificial lawn?
Contrary to popular belief, you cannot put artificial lawns directly on the ground. You are supposed to place them on a solid bed made from aggregate and sharp sand. This should be enough to keep the lawn in place during times of rain as well as during times when your kids want to play sports.Ideally, it’ll be installed by a team of professionals who know how to maximize the grippiness of the aggregate. However, you can also install it on your own too.
Can dogs pee and poop on artificial grass?
Yes, dogs (and every other type of animal) can poop and pee on artificial grass. Artificial grass is easy to clean and will drain away fluids into the bed underneath—much like regular grass would. If you notice a faint odor from the smell of the urine, then you can usually rinse it away with the use of your garden hose.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
More by Ossiana Tepfenhart
