Investing in an evergreen lawn
By Melanie Chambers
• Bankrate.com
The cost of being green
Price seems to be the biggest deterrent to buying a fake lawn, but if you calculate the total cost of lawn maintenance -- including fertilizer, gasoline for the mower, etc. -- over the average life of a synthetic lawn, then you stand a good chance of recouping your investment.
Synlawn, based in Kelowna, BC, offers a variety of synthetic materials with optional installation. A 700-square-foot lawn installed with a polyethylene and nylon mixture costs $3,500. "One hundred percent nylon will take traffic better," says Synlawn sales manager Glen Nagy. Therefore, the price for an all-nylon lawn is higher at about $4,025. Synlawn's other two options are premium, with a thicker grass that feels more substantial. For the same size in the poly/nylon mix, the lawn costs $4,165 while the premium nylon is $4,865, not including installation.
For a complete package that includes premium grass and installation, the grand total is $7,315, which includes a 10-year warranty.
At Artificial Grass and Landscaping, near Hamilton, Ont., lawns ranging between 800 and 2,000 square feet cost $8,000 to $10,000 for a fully installed product with an eight-year warranty. The company uses a polyethylene product and installation is part of the package.
Environmentally friendly
According to Environment Canada, homeowners use about 14,000 litres of water annually
to care for their lawns, and gas-powered lawnmowers emit as much air pollution
as a car driven halfway across the country. So, switching to an artificial lawn
is considered environmentally friendly. The only maintenance
fake lawns require is the occasional watering. If you have a dog, it's wise
to power wash the lawn with a hose and apply a biodegradable cleaner once in a
while. Alternatively, if you live in an arid climate, it's recommended that you
hose off the dust every few weeks to keep your lawn looking its best. Easy
installation
When Robb had her fake lawn installed, it took the better
part of a weekend. First, the entire lawn sod had to be removed. All traces of
topsoil were excavated, to about six inches in depth, and then a gravel mixture
was spread. On top of that, a layer of sand was spread to help ensure a compact
foundation to prevent shifting (you don't want a lawn that slides around under
your feet). After that, the synthetic turf was laid down.
Once spiked into place, it was ready for action. Unfortunately,
there isn't a lawn on the market yet that will rake itself, so owners of fake
lawns still have to clean up leaves once or twice a year. Neither is there artificial
turf that smells like real grass. Every spring when homeowners start trimming
their lawns, the smell is unmistakable spring -- and no AstroTurf will even come
close to the real deal. |
