Synthetic Turf Vs. Natural Grass

Synthetic Turf vs. Natural Grass

Athletic playing surfaces are the location for many athletic and community events. Many school districts, colleges, and professionals organizations are choosing to install synthetic turf, but others are content on keeping their natural grass. In order to make the decision to install synthetic turf or natural grass, the client must consider all the advantages and disadvantages of both. There are many benefits and drawbacks to both but the main topics that need to be considered are: the long term and short term installation and maintenance financial factors, field quality and condition, usage, and safety.

The first and usually the most important factor is cost. A synthetic turf field is going to have a much higher upfront cost. The average synthetic field costs 800,000 dollars, though after your initial purchase, synthetic fields do not have to be worked on regularly like grass fields, besides rubber infill that has to be applied every year (“School Board”). Natural grass fields need to be seeded, fertilized, painted, aerated, and tended to on a regular basis. The materials and labor it takes to maintain these fields are very expensive. Cypress High School Athletic Director Mark Ivey said they spent over $30,000 a year on paint for their field (Fisher). In a report by the Michigan State University, Certified Sports Turf Manager, she cited that “the typical annual maintenance costs of her artificial turf fields ranged from $13,720-$39,220, while the typical annual maintenance costs of her natural turf fields had a similar range of $8,133-$48,960” (Patton). Synthetic turf does not require as much maintenance after installation, but it does have to be replaced after about ten years or more. Owners can make up the cost by renting out the field to local athletic clubs since synthetic fields are much more durable (Fisher).

A lush green grass field establishes pride among players and is a great first impression to visitors. A well manicured grass field shows that the program has money and is well established. Grass fields have a nice traditional look, and many people believe the natural grass field has been an influence on the sport and should continue to do be; however, grass shows wear as the season progresses. Bermuda grass loses its color in the fall and as the grass stops growing the field condition becomes sloppier and muddier. Synthetic fields look nice no matter the time of year.