If you’re landscaping your front or backyard, you will have a lot of decisions to make regarding the kinds of materials you will use. One of your choices might be whether to use artificial vs natural grass for your lawn.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these options, so familiarize yourself with the details to make the wisest decision possible. In this article, we will take a closer look at both options and also discuss the costs involved.
| Feature | Natural Grass | Artificial Turf | Xeriscape |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water use | High — 50,000+ gal/year for an average lawn | Very low — no irrigation needed | Very low |
| Maintenance | Weekly mowing, fertilizing, weed control | Occasional rinsing and brushing | Minimal, seasonal pruning |
| Appearance | Green in season, brown patches in heat | Green year-round | Desert plants year-round |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Higher ($6–$20/sq ft installed) | Moderate |
| Long-term cost | Highest (water + upkeep) | Lower after 3–5 years | Lowest, especially with SNWA rebate |
| Lifespan | Needs reseeding/resodding every 3–5 years | 15–25 years | Long-lived, low replacement |
| Summer surface heat | Naturally cooler | Gets significantly hotter (20–30°F above grass) | N/A — no turf surface |
| SNWA rebate eligible | No | Yes, in some configurations | Yes |
Natural Grass vs. Artificial Turf at a Glance
If you want a low-maintenance yard that stays green year-round with minimal water use, artificial turf is usually the better choice. If you want the lowest long-term cost and the most water savings, xeriscape is worth serious consideration, especially with the SNWA rebate. If you prefer a traditional, cooler-underfoot lawn and don’t mind the water bill and upkeep, natural grass still works, especially for smaller areas.
Natural Grass vs Artificial Turf: Pros and Cons of Each
As mentioned above, there are advantages and disadvantages to both artificial turf and natural grass, depending on where you live and what your priorities are.
Artificial Grass: Pros and Cons
There are several advantages to using artificial turf as opposed to natural grass. The most obvious one is that it doesn’t sustain damage from exposure to the elements or from being walked on. If you live in a harsh climate, your natural grass will suffer during the winters and summers due to cold conditions like frost and snow, as well as harsh sunlight.
With artificial turf, you won’t have to worry about these things. It is one of several types of low-maintenance landscaping types that don’t require constant upkeep. In addition, you don’t have to worry about cutting or pruning it because it always maintains the same length. And if you’ve got kids, you won’t have to worry about the kids coming inside and muddying up the house.
And there are other, perhaps lesser-known, advantages of artificial turf, as well. It can be better for dog owners as the dogs won’t dig holes in it. In addition, some people have grass allergies. Artificial grass doesn’t aggravate those allergies.
For all these advantages, there are disadvantages to artificial grass, as well. The most obvious is that it is fake, after all – you won’t have the feeling of natural grass.
If you live in a climate that gets hot in the summertime, you should be wary of the fact that artificial turf can become extremely hot. This can pose a danger for children, so you might need to find a way to manage this by installing a subsurface cooling system.
Natural Grass: Pros and Cons
There are also pros and cons to choosing natural grass for your lawn. One advantage is that starting a natural grass lawn is comparatively affordable. You can either choose seeds or sod, and both options are less expensive for basic installation.
If you want to have a garden, natural grass is the obvious choice. You can include potted plants around artificial grass, but having a natural lawn with soil for planting is ideal. If you choose this option, you should learn how to prepare your soil to create ideal planting conditions.
Nonetheless, there are also drawbacks to working with natural grass. The most obvious of these is maintenance, which involves both a comparatively high cost and amount. For one thing, you will need to mow the grass regularly. Additionally, you’ll need to water natural grass, resulting in higher utility costs for larger areas. That water use adds up fast. A single natural grass lawn in Las Vegas can use more than 50,000 gallons a year, and it runs directly up against Southern Nevada’s seasonal watering restrictions, which limit how often and when you can run sprinklers on grass.
You will also need to take care of weeds and manage unwanted pests that can ruin the grass or disturb any plants or flowers that you might have added. For all of these tasks, you will need to purchase the appropriate equipment and supplies, adding to the cost of having a natural lawn.
Maintenance Comparison
Artificial Turf
No mowing. No watering. Occasional brushing and rinsing. Leaf and debris removal after windy days.
Natural Grass
Weekly mowing. Regular watering on an LVVWD schedule. Fertilizing. Weed and pest control. Reseeding or resodding every few years.
Cost Considerations
As mentioned above, what you choose for your lawn will depend on your own personal priorities. In terms of cost, in general, artificial grass costs an average of about $12 per square foot. If you have a large lawn, the price tag can become rather high. Therefore, you might need to consider getting outside funding. Many companies extend financing for turf installation to their customers, ensuring that you can comfortably manage the cost through installment payments that align with your budget.
If you choose natural grass, the price will be lower. The average cost of installation is between $0.50 to $1 per square foot for hydroseed and three to four times this amount for sod, so it is significantly cheaper than artificial grass. However, this does not take into consideration maintenance costs, which can be much higher.
Environmental Considerations
If you’re an environmentally-conscious person, you may be interested to know that there are environmental considerations both for artificial and natural grass. With artificial grass, some of the concerns are clear: it involves the use of synthetic and non-biodegradable materials. Also, it can ultimately lead to the loss of wildlife habitat and cause contaminated runoff.
With natural grass, there are also concerns. The maintenance of natural grass often involves large amounts of water and energy usage. Additionally, environmental concerns are a factor when you use pesticides to treat unwanted weeds on natural grass.
Make an Informed Decision
There’s no universal right answer between artificial turf and natural grass. It depends on how you use your yard, your water budget, and whether the SNWA rebate makes sense for your property. As a Las Vegas landscaping company serving Las Vegas and Henderson since 2002, and a certified SNWA Water Smart Contractor, we can walk you through these two options and what each would cost, including rebate eligibility. Call (702) 370-5000 or request an estimate.
FAQs
Is artificial turf or natural grass cheaper in Las Vegas?
Natural grass costs less to install, but higher water bills add up over time. Artificial turf costs more upfront but eliminates the water bill, and often costs less than grass over a decade once water and maintenance are factored in.
Does the SNWA rebate apply to artificial turf?
The Water Smart Landscapes Rebate Program pays for replacing grass with water-efficient landscaping, which can include turf, xeriscape, or a combination, depending on your yard and current program rules. We can check what your property qualifies for.
Does artificial turf get too hot to walk on in Las Vegas summers?
Yes. Turf can run 20 to 30 degrees hotter than natural grass in direct sun, close to concrete temperatures on the hottest days. Shade placement and product choice both help manage this.
How much water does a natural grass lawn use in Las Vegas?
A typical lawn can use more than 50,000 gallons a year, which is a major reason so many homeowners here switch to turf or xeriscape.
How long does artificial turf last?
Quality turf typically lasts 15 to 25 years, longer than the 3 to 5 year reseed/resod cycle natural grass needs.
Which option is best for a Las Vegas backyard with kids or pets?
Artificial turf holds up well to heavy use and doesn’t develop dog-dug holes or mud, but runs hotter underfoot. Natural grass stays cooler but needs more upkeep. A lot of families choose turf for high-traffic zones and keep a small grass patch elsewhere.
