The short answer
There is no single right answer — it depends on your budget, how much upkeep you want and how the garden is used. Natural turf is much lower in upfront cost, typically £15–£30 per m² supplied and laid, and can last indefinitely with care, but it needs regular mowing, feeding and watering and can look patchy in winter or drought. Artificial grass costs far more to install, commonly £30–£100 per m², stays green year-round and needs only an occasional brush and rinse, but it has a roughly 10–15 year lifespan before replacement and supports no soil life or pollinators. Over ten years the total cost can be broadly comparable; the honest choice balances upfront budget, maintenance appetite, how the lawn is used and whether you want a living surface.
This is really a trade-off between a lower-priced, living lawn that needs upkeep and a higher-priced surface that needs almost none. Here is how the two compare on the things that matter — kept to where each genuinely wins.
At a glance
- Natural turf£15–£30/m², lower upfront, needs upkeep
- Artificial grass£30–£100/m², higher upfront, low upkeep
- Turf lifespanindefinite with care
- Artificial lifespan~10–15 years
- Living surfaceturf only
How they compare
Natural turf is the lower-priced option to install and gives a soft, cool, living lawn that supports worms, insects and soil health — but it needs mowing in the growing season, plus feeding, the odd scarify and watering in dry spells, and it can brown in drought or thin out in heavy shade. Artificial grass stays green and tidy all year with just an occasional brush and rinse, which suits shaded spots where grass struggles, busy play areas and households wanting no mowing — but it costs more up front, can get very hot in strong sun, and needs full replacement after roughly a decade.
| Natural turf | Artificial grass | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | £15–£30 / m² | £30–£100 / m² |
| Maintenance | mow, feed, water | occasional brush & rinse |
| Lifespan | indefinite with care | ~10–15 years |
| Feel & ecology | living, cool, biodiverse | consistent, but not living |
General comparison for guidance; figures depend on garden size, grade and use. Sources: MyBuilder and trade comparison guides.
How to choose for your garden
- Want the lowest-priced route and a living lawn? Natural turf is cheaper to install and gives a real, soft surface — accept the mowing and watering.
- Want minimal upkeep or have deep shade? Artificial grass stays tidy where real grass struggles, at a higher upfront cost.
- Heavy children's or pet use? Artificial copes with constant traffic; a real lawn may wear in the same spots.
- Care about wildlife and soil? Only a natural lawn supports pollinators and soil life.
Want help weighing turf against artificial?
We'll match you with a vetted turfing or landscaping specialist who measures up and quotes a real-turf lawn for your garden, with the ground work and aftercare set out clearly.
Frequently asked questions
Is turf or artificial grass cheaper?
Natural turf is much lower-priced to install — typically £15–£30 per m² against £30–£100 per m² for artificial. Over ten years the total cost can be broadly comparable once mowing, feeding and watering are weighed against artificial's higher install cost and eventual replacement.
How long does artificial grass last compared with turf?
Artificial grass typically lasts around 10–15 years before it needs full replacement, while a natural turf lawn can last indefinitely if it is cared for with regular mowing, feeding and occasional renovation.
Which needs less maintenance, turf or artificial grass?
Artificial grass needs far less — usually just an occasional brush and rinse — whereas a real lawn needs mowing in season plus feeding, watering in dry spells and the odd scarify. The trade-off is upfront cost and ecology.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific garden. They are guidance, not a quotation.