If you are of a certain age, you probably remember the television show The Brady Bunch. This hip, young blended family was all the rage in the late sixties and early seventies. They proudly showed off how the new American family could be just as loving and fun as the traditional American household.
One thing people remember from the show is the Brady’s lawn. They used then-cutting-edge technology called astro-turf to give their kids a safe place to play. With six kids – and eventually a distant cousin – to take care of, the Brady’s choice made total sense. It was easy to maintain and looked great.
Although people laughed about astro-turf at the time, the man-made lawn scene has come a long way since then. Now artificial grasses look better than ever before and have a whole host of benefits, too. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some things you might not know about this amazing invention.
Cool it!
You may not have heard of the term “heat island” before. It is what environmentalists call any area in a city that, because of a deficiency in plant life, is hotter than surrounding areas. This stems from racist housing practices that date all the way back to the nineteen thirties.
These heat islands can be anywhere from one to nineteen degrees Fahrenheit hotter than other areas in the same city. That is because plant life helps to provide shade and absorbs less heat than paving methods.
Artificial grasses absorb less heat than asphalt, concrete, and even organic grasses. You may find that your artificial lawn is nearly twenty degrees cooler than a comparable organic one. Click here for more information about heat islands. This means that even in the heat of the summer, your pooch or pups will not be stuck in the house.
Even if it’s too hot to walk down the sidewalk, they can still enjoy wandering around your cool yard to their heart’s content.
As environmental change impacts our day –to-day lives, many places are seeing hotter summers and colder winters. Protect yourself from the elements and ensure that your kids will have a fun place to play for years to come by going green – artificial green, that is!
And this brings us to our next point.
Green in More Ways Than One
There are a number of different ways that artificial turf impacts the planet in a positive way.
The first is that it is so darn durable. Many companies say that their turf can last for twenty years or more. Compare that to your organic lawn, which needs to be re-sodded periodically to keep up appearances.
The second way is from decreased water usage. An artificial lawn requires none of the extensive watering that more traditional homecare routines require. You can save hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water, depending on the size of your property as well as the climate you live in.
While it is great and feels great to be helping to save the environment, you won’t mind another added bonus of not needing to water your lawn: the savings you’ll see on your water bill. Remember that rates can spike according to usage, so when your neighbors are all out watering their lawns several times a day, you’ll be saving a pretty penny with yours. Click the link: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/understanding-your-water-bill to help you determine how much you stand to save by making the switch.
Good for Kids and Pets
If you’re in charge of looking out for creatures littler than you – whether they be animals, little humans, or both – you’re probably already in the habit of seeking out products that are “animal-safe” or “kid-safe.”
Artificial turf is both of these things. Not only that, but it can make your yard a more inviting place for you and your furry friends. That’s because it can help cut down on unnecessary odors. Any high-traffic spots can be quickly rinsed to help eliminate any lingering smells.
Many retailers also offer safe cleaning solutions to help you keep your lawn looking – and smelling – it’s very best.
These are just a few of the many reasons why Americans are making the switch to man-made terrain. With advances in technology, these creative lawn solutions are more attractive and realistic than ever before.
While the Brady’s fluorescent green lawn might have been a joke in the seventies, we’ve come a long way since then. Besides, those hippies were on to something! It is possible to create a unique outdoor space that will last for years to come.
Whether you’re looking to save some time on lawn maintenance or just do your part to save the planet, you might find that an artificial lawn helps you achieve all of these goals and more.
