Your lawn is one of the first things people see. What type should you install?
At Ignite Landscapes, we install both premium sod and artificial turf across Niagara, Burlington and the Greater Toronto Area, and we’ve seen first-hand which situations favour one over the other. Below are key factors to consider when choosing between sod installation and artificial sod (turf) for your property.
1. Maintenance & Effort Over Time
Natural sod requires ongoing, frequent care, including mowing, fertilizing, watering, weeding, aeration, and patching. That maintenance adds up in effort and cost. On the other hand, artificial turf dramatically reduces those chores as you won’t ever need to mow or fertilize. In fact, a low-maintenance nature is its top appeal.
However, low maintenance doesn’t mean zero maintenance. Having an artificial turf still requires removing leaves, plus occasional brushing and cleaning.
2. Visual Appeal & Experience
Real sod has texture, a natural scent, underfoot softness, and subtle, visible seasonal change in look.
Artificial turf aims to replicate that look as closely as possible but doesn’t change with the seasons as dramatically, which may give a frozen-in-time feeling for some.
3. Durability & Usage
If your property experiences heavy foot traffic, pets, kids at play, or other frequent uses, artificial turf can handle it better over time without patching or rutting. Many turf systems are designed to endure much use with little visible wear.
Sod can recover, but may require reseeding or repair after repeated, long-term stress.
4. Water & Environmental Impact
Because natural sod requires irrigation, it can add significantly to water usage (and bills), especially during dry spells. Sod also supports biodiversity, reduces surface heat and can improve infiltration of rainwater into soil.
Artificial turf doesn’t require watering (except occasionally for cleaning or cooling), helping to reduce water costs and conserve natural resources.
5. Cost & Value Over Time
Upfront cost is typically lower for sod installation since sod rolls are less expensive than quality turf systems. However, maintenance costs (lawn care supplies, water, equipment) can add up.
Artificial turf recoups those added costs by eliminating many of these recurring expenses. So while artificial turf has a higher initial investment, the reduced ongoing costs make it more cost-effective over time.
Plus, quality turf doesn’t typically require replacement for 10-20 years, depending on use, UV exposure and other factors.
What Fits You Best
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
Go for sod if you value an authentic landscape feel, want to support biodiversity, have the time or will for maintenance, and prefer a lower upfront cost.
Choose artificial turf if you want a low-maintenance, durable lawn that looks consistent, especially when usage is heavy or maintenance is difficult.
Need help deciding? Get in touch with our team. We can assess your property and lifestyle needs to find the best fit.
FAQs
How do you clean artificial turf?
Start by removing any solid waste or debris, such as leaves or twigs. Then rinse the surface with a hose using moderate pressure to wash away dirt.
Is artificial turf good for dogs, and can dogs pee on artificial turf?
Yes, artificial turf is a solid, safe option for dogs and dog owners, and yes, they can freely do their business on your turf.
Is artificial turf safe for children?
Yes, artificial turf is generally safe for children as it is manufactured using lead-free, non-toxic materials. Plus, it doesn’t require the use of pesticides or fertilizers, eliminating chemical exposure.
Q: Is artificial turf safe in summer heat?
Yes, High-quality turf is UV-stabilized, but it can and will absorb and retain some heat when not shaded.
Q: Can you convert an existing sod area to artificial turf later?
Yes. We can remove the existing sod (or soil layer) and prepare a proper base to install artificial turf over it.
