Artificial grass is not like the regular product a consumer gets every day. It is a one-time investment which makes the initial artificial grass cost a bit pricey, and like other house renovation projects, its costs can vary significantly.
Artificial grass is priced chiefly per square foot and varies based on the quality and type of grass chosen. The cost per square foot for artificial grass in Austin, TX ranges between $5.50 and $18.75, with an average cost of about $12.33 per square foot. It should be noted that this average price also includes other factors that would influence the total cost such as labor cost and material cost amongst others.
For instance, the average artificial grass cost to cover a space of about 500 square feet would be around $6,165 and the minimum and maximum prices will range between $2,750 (nearest minimum) and $9,375. The price mostly depends on the artificial grass material type or the brand you want to get it from, the size of your yard, and its cost, including labor and materials.
For homeowners in Austin, getting an artificial grass installation for your home saves you a lot of money in the long term. It requires no watering, mowing, or fertilizer and runs on low-maintenance, giving you a green lawn year round.
The cost of artificial grass is indeed more expensive when compared with natural grass or sod. However, getting artificial grass is worth the price in the long run with the majority of the savings in the maintenance as it does not require the care and expense that natural grass incur.
Cost Estimation of Artificial Grass in Austin Based on Types
There are three popular artificial grass types: polypropylene, polyethylene, and nylon. Each of these varies in price and quality of the material. Like most things, the higher the quality, the higher the price. However, we recommend not going for the cheapest grass types and ignore their lower quality because most times, low-cost artificial grass is not usually the quality you want to get.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene has the lowest quality and durability among the three types mentioned, and its appearance can be significantly affected by high temperature and heavy foot traffic. It is suitable for indoor use or in areas where temperature and foot traffic is low.
Prices range from $1.90 – $2.75 per square foot. Its advantages include:
- Lower cost compared to other types
- Can be used for shady areas or as decorative indoor grass
The disadvantage of Polypropylene is that it can’t be used in an area with high foot traffic and high temperature.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene looks more natural and exactly like the real lawn. It has a softer texture compared to polypropylene and nylon. Unlike polypropylene, it is not adversely affected by high temperature and foot traffic.
Polyethylene is non-absorbent and has good drainage, making it a perfect choice for those who love and live with pets. Its price range is between $2.55- $3.85 per square foot.
Its advantages include:
- More durable than polypropylene and has a softer texture than both nylon and polypropylene
- Looks like natural grass and can be used for outdoor use
- Has good drainage, which makes it pets friendly
Polyethylene is not as durable when compared to nylon.
Nylon
Nylon is the most durable synthetic grass type and is also more costly than others. It can handle high temperatures, foot traffic, and heavy foot traffic without adversely affecting its appearance.
They are mainly used for sports fields and playground turf due to its stiff textures because of their durability. The price ranges from $5.05- $5.85 per square foot. Its advantages include:
- Can withstand heavy, high foot traffic and high temperature
- Excellent for the sports field
Artificial Grass Cost Estimates in Austin Based on Other Factors
Other factors affect the artificial grass cost aside from the material type, including:
Area Size
Artificial grass is priced per square foot, which implies that the more square footage an area you want to apply your artificial grass to, the higher the amount of artificial turf you would need.
Larger spaces, therefore, result in a higher cost than smaller spaces. However, don’t give up on installing artificial grass in your large area because the prices tend to reduce the more the size of the artificial grass you order.
Area Shape
Artificial grass fits nicely in an area with straight lines and right angles because it mostly comes in rectangular shapes. However, curved or circular areas can incur more material costs because you might have to cut the artificial grass to fit the curved shape, which would lead to wastage and cut-offs, unlike an area with straight lines where you can just use the artificial grass as you buy it.
Location
Artificial grass can be installed anywhere in the home or office with a suitable surface. However, the cost of the synthetic turf also depends on the area of the building you want to install it.
For instance, the cost of getting artificial turf for your rooftop will be lower than the cost implication for your sports field.
To better understand the artificial grass cost for your Austin home, contact us and discuss where you want to have your synthetic grass installed, and we will let you know how it will affect your costs.
Artificial Grass Cost vs. Natural Sod Cost
No doubt, the initial cost of synthetic turf is more when compared to the cost of natural sod. However, before you get overwhelmed by the total cost of buying artificial grass and getting it installed, you need to understand that it is a one-time investment just like every other house innovation project.
In considering your options between artificial grass and natural sod, you should consider the upfront and lifelong costs.
For natural grass, the maintenance fee is higher as it requires frequent maintenance, which costs an average of $1,000 yearly, and the cost keeps increasing even with inflation and other factors.
So, although natural grass might seem cheaper initially, as long as you want to maintain it, it will always remain a financial burden for you as maintenance runs throughout its lifetime.
On the other hand, for artificial grass, even though it is costlier, after the initial payment of the purchase and its installation, you won’t have to bother about maintenance fees. Over time, the price incurred in getting synthetic grass will pay itself off.