Pros and Cons of Artificial Grass
The pros and cons of artificial grass, from a store that sells it. Each one is backed by Artificial Grass & Landscaping's own records (catalog prices as of November 14, 2026, the care routine every customer is sent and the written warranty) and links to the page that covers it in full.
What are the pros and cons of artificial grass?
The pros: no mowing or reseeding, a yard that stays green in shade, and Artificial Grass & Landscaping's 15-year prorated warranty against fading. The cons: the upfront cost, about $4,359 to $5,311 for 500 sq ft installed, a rinse every week or two, and normal wear, which the warranty does not cover.
| Point | The facts behind it | In full | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | Less upkeep, a steady look | Our dealer page names “water savings, reduced need for fertilizer and pesticides, and a more consistent appearance throughout the year”. | maintenance |
| Pro | A green lawn in a dry climate | Our environmental page: “the benefits of a drought tolerant design without sacrificing the natural beauty of a green lawn”. | eco-friendly turf |
| Pro | Green in shade | Turf needs no sunlight, so it stays green under a tree or beside a wall where a real lawn thins. | under trees |
| Pro | 15-year fading warranty | Against ultraviolet degradation and excessive fading, prorated by 6.67% a year: 66.65% is still warranted at the end of year 5. | how long turf lasts |
| Pro | Buy only what you need | Per sq ft: from $0.79 for stocking dealers, $0.99 a full roll (4-roll minimum), $1.19 for one roll and $1.49 cut to length; a cut piece is the length you order, from the shortest cut sold. | cheap artificial grass |
| Con | Upfront cost | About $4,359 to $5,311 for 500 sq ft installed (Installation Cost Calculator). | artificial grass cost |
| Con | It still needs care | Rinse it down every week or two, and right away where pets go. Brush the blades upright with a stiff (not wire) broom every month or so, more often where people walk most. | maintenance |
| Con | Wear is not covered | The warranty: “normal wear and tear is not a manufacturing defect and therefore not covered by this warranty”. Turf does not grow back. | the warranty |
| Con | Heat sources and reflections | Keep grills, fire pits and cigarettes off it, and watch for strong window reflections, which can overheat the fibres. The warranty excludes “Melted or damaged turf caused from reflection by Low E windows or any other producer of sun magnification, localized heating or extreme heat”. | turf and summer heat |
| Con | Color varies | The warranty: “Slight variation in color from lot to lot and color changes over the life of the product is common and to be expected”. | free samples |
Against a natural lawn, point by point: artificial grass vs natural grass.
Is artificial grass worth it?
It is worth it if you want a yard that stays green with no mowing or reseeding and can pay more up front: about $4,359 to $5,311 for 500 sq ft installed at Artificial Grass & Landscaping. It is not worth it if you want grass that grows back where it wears, or a yard needing no care at all.
| Worth it if you… | Think twice if you… |
|---|---|
| Want to stop mowing, fertilizing and reseeding | Want grass that regrows where it wears |
| Have a shaded spot where a lawn goes thin | Will not rinse, brush or top up infill |
| Can pay the turf and installation up front | Have Low-E windows reflecting onto the area |
| Want one turf look all year | Need every roll to match an older lot exactly |
Samples hang on the fence outside the warehouse at 3667 Omec Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, to see or take any time, or order free samples online ($14.95 shipping).
Is artificial grass expensive?
The cost is up front. Per square foot, Artificial Grass & Landscaping's lawn turf is from $0.79 for stocking dealers, $0.99 a full roll (4-roll minimum), $1.19 for one roll and $1.49 cut to length. A 500 sq ft lawn installed, with supplies, setup, tax and contractor services, is about $4,359 to $5,311 in the Installation Cost Calculator.
| Way to buy | Price per sq ft | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Stocking dealer account | From $0.79 | For stocking dealers: dealer pricing |
| Full roll: Tuscany 54 oz | $0.99 (4-roll minimum); $1.19 for one roll | A whole roll at a fixed size; the lowest price needs the minimum shown |
| Cut to length: Tuscany 54 oz | $1.49 | Only the length you need; the smallest piece is 7.5 ft x 15 ft, $167.63 |
| Turf | Turf, supplies, setup & tax | Contractor services | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscany | $2,359.38 | $2,000.00 | $4,359.38 |
| Santa Barbara | $3,310.94 | $2,000.00 | $5,310.94 |
We provide contractors: installation is done by independent, third-party contractors, not by Artificial Grass & Landscaping staff. Contractor services are available within 40 miles of the Rancho Cordova warehouse; further out, contact us first.
Is artificial grass low maintenance?
Lower, not zero. Artificial grass needs no mowing or reseeding, but Artificial Grass & Landscaping's care routine, sent to every customer, still asks for a rinse every week or two, a brush with a stiff broom every month or so, leaves cleared, and infill topped up where the blades start to lie flat.
| You stop | You still |
|---|---|
| Mowing the grass | Rinse it down every week or two, and right away where pets go. |
| Fertilizing the lawn | Brush the blades upright with a stiff (not wire) broom every month or so, more often where people walk most. |
| Reseeding bare patches | Top up infill where the blades start to lie flat or the backing shows. |
The whole routine, with pets, stains and weeds: artificial grass maintenance.
Does artificial grass wear out, and what does the warranty cover?
Slowly, and the warranty does not cover wear. Artificial Grass & Landscaping warrants its turf for 15 years against ultraviolet degradation and excessive fading, prorated by 6.67% a year, and for 1 year against manufacturing defects. Normal wear and tear is not covered, and turf does not grow back where it is worn or burned.
| Covered | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Ultraviolet degradation and excessive fading, 15 years, prorated | Wear: “normal wear and tear is not a manufacturing defect and therefore not covered by this warranty” |
| Manufacturing defects, 1 year | “Melted or damaged turf caused from reflection by Low E windows or any other producer of sun magnification, localized heating or extreme heat” |
| — | “Improper cleaning methods and use of harsh, caustic chemicals” |
The warranted share year by year: how long artificial grass lasts. The full terms: the warranty.
Is artificial grass a good idea with dogs?
It can be, with care. Artificial Grass & Landscaping sells no separate pet turf; dog areas use the same lawn turfs, ideally over Camofill infill, whose coating the catalog says “helps inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and algae”. The con is upkeep: rinse right away where pets go. No turf or infill here is promised to remove odor.
- The care routine for a pet area: Rinse it down every week or two, and right away where pets go.
- Infill for a dog area: Camofill infill. Choosing a lawn turf for dogs: best artificial turf for dogs.
- A whole run priced: artificial grass dog run.
What this page can't tell you
- Whether turf is worth it for your yard: this page sets out the store’s facts; the trade-off is yours.
- How hot a turf gets in your sun: the store publishes no surface temperatures, so this page quotes none.
- What a natural lawn costs: Artificial Grass & Landscaping sells no sod or seed, so no lawn prices are compared here (artificial grass vs natural grass).
- How long your turf will last: wear depends on use and care, and the warranty covers fading, prorated, not wear.
- Whether your installation keeps the warranty: its general terms say “Product must be installed in a suitable location by a licensed installer”, so read them before installing turf yourself.
Questions and answers
What are the pros and cons of artificial grass?
The pros: no mowing or reseeding, a yard that stays green in shade, and Artificial Grass & Landscaping's 15-year prorated warranty against fading. The cons: the upfront cost, about $4,359 to $5,311 for 500 sq ft installed, a rinse every week or two, and normal wear, which the warranty does not cover.
Is synthetic grass worth it?
It is worth it if you want a yard that stays green with no mowing or reseeding and accept the upfront cost: about $4,359 to $5,311 for 500 sq ft installed at Artificial Grass & Landscaping. It is not if you want grass that regrows where it wears, or a yard needing no care.
What is the biggest disadvantage of artificial grass?
The upfront cost: about $4,359 to $5,311 for 500 sq ft installed at Artificial Grass & Landscaping. After that, the care: a rinse every week or two and a brush every month or so. Turf does not grow back where it wears, and its warranty covers fading, not normal wear and tear.
Does the artificial grass warranty cover wear and tear?
No. Artificial Grass & Landscaping's warranty covers ultraviolet degradation and excessive fading for 15 years, prorated, and manufacturing defects for 1 year. In its own words, “normal wear and tear is not a manufacturing defect and therefore not covered by this warranty”. Turf melted by reflections from Low-E windows is excluded too.
Is fake grass good for dogs?
It can be, with care. Artificial Grass & Landscaping sells no separate pet turf: dog areas use its lawn turfs, ideally over antimicrobial Camofill infill. Rinse right away where pets go; no turf or infill is promised to remove odor.
Next steps
Warehouse, office and samples: 3667 Omec Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 · (916) 370-5527 (call or text)
Prices and charges as of November 14, 2026; the product pages and checkout always show the current figure.