The Numbers
The numbers speak for themselves.
Side-by-side comparison of natural grass versus artificial grass for a typical 10-acre destination property, using real, published data.
Less water consumed
Typical annual savings
Guest-ready days per year
Chemicals or pesticides
Comparison
Key metrics compared.
Irrigation Water Usage
gal / yr · per acre
EPA WaterSense / SNWA
Grounds Labor
$ / yr
Duke University, 2015 / STMA
Chemical & Fertilizer
$ / yr
NIH Environmental Health
Guest-Ready Days
days / yr
NRPA, 2020
Research Data
By the numbers.
Water figures per sqft of installed area · financial projections based on a typical 2,000 sqft commercial installation.
irrigation water saved annually vs. natural grass
Southern Nevada Water Authorityreduction in water consumption vs. natural grass irrigation
EPA WaterSensetypical payback period
NRPA / SYNLawncommercial lifespan
Artificial Turf Supplyreduction in grounds crew labor hours annually
Duke University Sports Turf Analysis, 2015average commercial property value increase with turf landscaping
Journal of Real Estate Financepesticides & herbicides eliminated per acre per year
Synthetic Turf Council / EPAnet return over 10 years (2,000 sqft install)
Landmark Landscape / SYNLawnCost Analysis
Annual cost breakdown.
A typical 10-acre destination property faces significant annual expenses with natural grass. Most minimize almost entirely with artificial grass.
Natural grass
$53,500 – $116,000
Typical annual cost range per 10-acre destination property.
Artificial grass
$7,000 – $14,000
Typical annual cost range: infill grooming only (irrigation and chemicals: $0).
| Category | Natural | Turf |
|---|---|---|
| Irrigation costsEPA WaterSense | $18,000 – $45,000 | $0 |
| Mowing & grounds laborDuke University, 2015 | $24,000 – $42,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Fertilizers & chemicalsNIH Environmental Health | $3,500 – $9,000 | $0 |
| Infill groomingArtificial Turf Council | $0 | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| Reseeding & repairNRPA, 2020 | $8,000 – $20,000 | N/A |
Sources: Duke University Sports Turf Analysis (2015), EPA WaterSense, Artificial Turf Council, NRPA Parks & Recreation Magazine (2020), NIH Environmental Health Perspectives.
Environmental
Built for the planet.
Pesticides & fertilizers fully eliminated
Zero chemical runoff into soil or waterways at your property.
Synthetic Turf Council
PFAS-free since 2020
Leading manufacturers certified under 100ppm organic fluorine.
AstroTurf / SYNLawn
Protects nearby waterways
No fertilizer or pesticide leaching into streams, ponds, or lakes on or near your property.
EPA WATERS / USDA NRCS
Eliminates 11 cars' worth of emissions per mow hour saved
From gas-powered mowing equipment removed from your maintenance routine.
Stockholm Environment Institute
Quieter property, every single week
Removing gas-powered mowers cuts 90+ dB of recurring noise, one of the top campground guest complaints.
CDC Occupational Noise / NRPA
Safe for kids & pets, no exceptions
No pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers means children and animals play freely without chemical exposure risk.
NIH Environmental Health Perspectives
Water Risk
Kick the restrictions.
Water restrictions are tightening across the U.S. Natural grass dies when restrictions hit, right when your guests arrive. Artificial grass stays lush and green regardless of local conditions, drought stages, or government mandates.
California AB 1572 now bans irrigation of decorative grass at commercial properties. Properties in high-risk states using artificial grass are completely insulated from restriction penalties and dead-lawn damage.
Pick your state
Tap any state to see its current water-restriction picture: counties affected, mandatory stages, and the local facts that make irrigation-free grounds the safe bet.
ROI Calculator
See your savings in real time.
Enter your square footage and select the maintenance services you currently pay for. Watch how quickly turf pays for itself as costs stack up.
Current maintenance services
Select all services you currently pay for. The more you select, the greater your savings with turf. Costs shown at a 10,000 sqft reference and scaled to your area.
Your ROI breakdown
- Current annual grass cost
- $4,500
- Turf annual maintenance
- $800
- One-time turf installation
- $85,000
- Annual savings
- $3,700
How to read this: the more maintenance your natural grass currently requires, the faster turf pays for itself. Most properties break even within 2–4 years and see significant net savings over the 15–20 year turf lifespan.
Installation estimated at $8.50/sqft (hospitality-grade turf with base prep); turf upkeep at $0.08/sqft annually. Actual costs vary by region and site conditions. Sources: Artificial Turf Council, Duke University Sports Turf Analysis (2015), EPA WaterSense.
Ready to upgrade your property?
Contact us for a quote on a project that enhances your guest experience, cuts maintenance costs, and adds lasting value to your property.