Artificial vs Real Grass: UK Garden Comparison Guide

The Real Cost Difference Between Artificial and Real Grass

Cost is usually the first question when choosing between artificial grass and natural turf for your UK garden. The upfront expense differs significantly, and so do the running costs.

Real grass costs between £2 and £8 per square metre to lay, depending on soil quality and grass type. Instant turf rolls run £3 to £6 per square metre, plus labour at £10 to £20 per hour. A typical 100 square metre garden costs £400 to £800 to turf initially, though regional variations apply.

Artificial grass runs from £15 to £45 per square metre installed, with premium options reaching £60 per square metre or higher. That same 100 square metre garden costs £1,500 to £4,500 upfront. The catch is real grass demands continuous spending year after year.

Real grass requires regular maintenance that adds up quickly:

• Lawn treatments (moss control, fertiliser, weedkiller): £100 to £300 per year
• Mowing, either hiring someone at £15 to £30 per cut or buying a mower for £200 to £2,000
• Aeration, scarification and overseeding: £150 to £400 annually
• Watering in dry periods: £20 to £50 added to summer water bills

Over ten years, real grass costs compound significantly. Artificial grass needs pressure cleaning occasionally (£100 to £300 per clean, perhaps once or twice yearly) and infill top-ups (£200 to £800 every 5 to 8 years). The maths often favour artificial grass after 7 to 10 years, though premium artificial products may take longer to break even.

Maintenance Requirements: Time and Effort

The maintenance difference between these two options is genuinely dramatic. If you prefer a low-fuss garden, this matters far more than cost.

Real grass is a living system that demands constant attention. Spring requires raking, feeding and possibly reseeding. Summer means mowing weekly or fortnightly depending on rainfall and growth. Autumn brings leaf clearing and moss treatment. Winter occasionally requires aeration. Grass left unmowed becomes wild within weeks, and weeds establish themselves rapidly.

If you have mobility issues, travel frequently, or simply want garden time for other activities, maintaining real grass without paying someone else becomes impractical. For busy professionals or retirees wanting more leisure time, real grass genuinely limits your freedom.

Artificial grass requires minimal upkeep. You brush it occasionally to maintain the pile, remove leaf litter, and rinse it with a pressure washer once or twice yearly. Some suppliers recommend infill top-ups every 5 to 10 years, but that's optional and depends on foot traffic. During winter, you simply leave it—no feeding, no treating, nothing.

For households with young children, artificial grass offers practical benefits. It drains quickly after rain, doesn't develop muddy patches, and stays usable immediately after wet weather. Parents appreciate not cleaning shoes obsessively or managing lawn damage from enthusiastic play.

Durability and Longevity Questions

How long does each option actually last in the UK climate? This depends heavily on quality and use.

Real grass lasts indefinitely if properly maintained. UK weather challenges it constantly. Heavy foot traffic creates bare patches within months. Shade from trees or structures kills grass slowly but inevitably. Clay soils compact easily, leading to poor drainage and disease. Acidic soils favour moss over grass. Real grass requires the right conditions and consistent care to remain attractive long-term.

A well-maintained real lawn in ideal conditions lasts for decades. A neglected lawn in poor soil deteriorates visibly within one season. Most UK gardens sit somewhere between these extremes.

Artificial grass typically lasts 10 to 15 years with decent installation and reasonable foot traffic. Premium products from established manufacturers sometimes reach 20 years. Cheaper options below £20 per square metre may degrade noticeably after 5 to 8 years, with pile flattening and colour fading.

Installation quality matters enormously. Proper base preparation (compacted sub-base, weed membrane, adequate drainage) extends lifespan substantially. Poor installation with inadequate drainage causes problems within 2 to 3 years as water accumulates and grass backing deteriorates. Reputable suppliers and installers are worth the premium.

Pet owners should note that artificial grass handles urine and faeces reasonably well if properly maintained. Real grass develops scorched patches from dog urine and requires spot treatment. Both options require regular cleaning in households with multiple pets.

Environmental and Ecological Considerations

This is where the comparison becomes genuinely complex rather than straightforward.

Real grass provides ecological benefits that artificial alternatives cannot. Natural turf supports soil organisms, provides habitat for insects and small invertebrates, and absorbs water during floods. A thriving lawn improves air quality and helps local wildlife, though a chemically treated lawn does far less good than untreated grass. Native wildflower areas outperform formal lawns ecologically, but most UK gardeners prefer traditional turf.

The problem is how real grass is maintained. Artificial fertilisers, herbicides and moss treatments represent chemical inputs that leach into water courses. Regular mowing produces carbon emissions, particularly with petrol equipment. An organic approach to real grass maintenance is possible but requires significantly more effort.

Artificial grass comes with environmental impact at manufacture and installation. Most artificial grass uses polypropylene or polyethylene (plastic polymers) requiring petrochemical processing. Crumb infill was historically made from recycled tyre rubber, though modern alternatives use sand or biodegradable cork-based infills.

However, artificial grass eliminates ongoing chemical use and fuel consumption. Over its 10 to 15 year lifespan, this offset might balance its manufacturing impact, though lifecycle assessments vary.

Neither option is environmentally perfect. Converting a traditional lawn to wildlife-friendly wildflower areas or reducing lawn size would deliver better environmental outcomes.

Climate Resilience in UK Gardens

British weather presents specific challenges for both options. Artificial grass handles variable UK climate better in some ways.

Heavy rain saturates real grass in clay soils easily, causing waterlogging. Artificial grass with proper drainage prevents this problem. During rare UK heatwaves, artificial grass becomes too hot to walk on barefoot, while real grass stays cooler through natural evapotranspiration. Frost and snow present no problems for either.

Real grass dies in extended dry periods without watering, which feels wasteful during droughts. Artificial grass simply waits for rain, indifferent to drought conditions. For climate-conscious gardeners in water-stressed regions, artificial grass removes summer watering guilt entirely.

Making Your Final Decision

Choose real grass if you enjoy gardening, have good soil conditions, and want ecological benefits. Choose it when you have time for regular maintenance and live in areas receiving reliable rainfall.

Choose artificial grass if you prioritise low maintenance, want guaranteed appearance year-round, or have mobility limitations. Choose it if you travel extensively, have pets requiring a durable surface, or have poor soil conditions such as compacted clay or extremely sandy ground.

Neither choice is universally correct. The right decision depends entirely on your circumstances, priorities and lifestyle. Many gardeners combine artificial grass in high-traffic areas with real grass or wildflowers in quieter spaces.

Ready to explore options? Get quotes from 3 providers to understand genuine installed costs and product quality differences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does artificial grass last in the UK?
Quality artificial grass typically lasts 10 to 15 years with proper installation and reasonable foot traffic. Premium products may reach 20 years, while cheaper options under £20 per square metre often degrade after 5 to 8 years.

Is artificial grass safe for pets?
Yes, artificial grass is safe for pets. It handles urine and faeces reasonably well when properly maintained. Real grass develops scorched patches from dog urine, so artificial grass often suits pet owners better.

Can artificial grass get too hot in summer?
Artificial grass can become uncomfortably hot during rare UK heatwaves. Real grass stays cooler through natural evapotranspiration, which is worth considering if you have young children or pets.

Does artificial grass drain properly in heavy rain?
Yes, with proper installation. The base preparation (compacted sub-base, weed membrane, adequate drainage) is crucial. Poor drainage causes water accumulation and backing deterioration within 2 to 3 years.

What's the environmental impact of artificial grass?
Artificial grass has manufacturing impact from plastic polymers. However, it eliminates ongoing chemical use and fuel consumption from mowing. Over 10 to 15 years, this may offset the initial manufacturing impact.

How much does artificial grass installation cost?
Installation typically costs £15 to £45 per square metre, with premium options reaching £60 or higher. A 100 square metre garden costs £1,500 to £4,500 upfront.

Do I need to maintain artificial grass?
Minimal maintenance is needed. Brush it occasionally, remove leaf litter, and pressure wash once or twice yearly. Infill top-ups every 5 to 10 years are optional depending on foot traffic.