The upfront cost of artificial turf will equal the amount paid for installation and maintenance of a natural grass lawn in three to five years. Despite the high upfront costs of installing artificial grass, you will end up saving your wallet and your local water supplies in the long run.

Turf is used to describe sports grass, which is shorter. Artificial grass is the officially correct term for landscape grass, which is longer and fluffier. Back when AstroTurf was first invented we didn't make distinctions like this, because there was just one product. And, frankly, not a very good one at that.

Artificial grass typically costs from $5.45 to $20 per square foot, for an average price of $12.75 per square foot. The average cost to install artificial grass is $12.75 per square foot. Homeowners can expect a typical price range between $5.45 and $20 per square foot for an artificial lawn.

While artificial grass avoids the use of pesticides and fertilizer, its petroleum-based materials aren't biodegradable and can contribute to landfill waste. Artificial lawns provide a consistent green, lush look year-round. But the synthetic materials can get hot in sunny, hot conditions.