Why is artificial grass so expensive?

In modern society, artificial turf has gradually become an ideal choice for sports venues, garden landscapes, home courtyards and other places with its advantages of environmental protection, durability and easy maintenance. However, many consumers can't help wondering after learning about the price: Why is the price of artificial grass so high? In fact, the price of artificial grass is affected by many factors, including brand, raw materials, production process, blade design, fiber density, wear resistance, market demand, etc. This article will explore the reasons behind the price of artificial grass from multiple angles.

Brand value determines price

Like any product, the brand affects the price of artificial grass. Well-known brands usually invest more resources in research and development, production, after-sales service, etc. to ensure product quality and customer experience. For example, our UNIGRASS uses high-end materials and international standard production processes to ensure the durability and sports performance of artificial turf, while providing professional after-sales support. Therefore, the same specifications of artificial grass, different brands will have different pricing.

Expensive raw material costs

Artificial grass is mainly made of polymer synthetic materials such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and nylon (PA). The prices of these materials will be affected by factors such as oil price fluctuations and market supply and demand. Especially nylon fiber, due to its better wear resistance and resilience, the price is several times higher than other materials. In addition, high-quality artificial grass needs to add anti-ultraviolet (UV) and anti-aging ingredients to enhance weather resistance, which further increases the cost.

Advanced production process

The manufacturing of artificial grass involves complex process flows, including fiber extrusion, tufting weaving, backing coating, heat treatment, cutting and other links. High-end artificial grass uses monofilament fiber technology, which is more durable and natural in appearance than traditional flat filament lawns. In addition, the choice of backing material also affects the price, such as PU (polyurethane) backing is more durable than latex backing, but the cost is also higher.

Blade design affects cost

The shape of the blade of artificial grass directly affects its feel, gloss, drainage and resilience. There are many designs on the market, such as straight blade, V-type, W-type, C-type, S-type, diamond-type, etc., and each shape has different manufacturing processes and costs. For example, W-type grass blades can effectively reduce sunlight reflection and reduce lawn temperature, while diamond-type grass blades are more durable and suitable for high-frequency sports venues. The difference in these processes leads to different prices.

Fiber density determines service life

The higher the fiber density (usually expressed in Dtex) of artificial grass, the better the wear resistance, resilience and comfort of the lawn, but the cost will also increase accordingly. For example, high-density artificial grass dedicated to football fields usually uses grass fibers of 10000Dtex-15000Dtex, while ordinary landscape grass has a lower Dtex value, so the price of high-density lawn is much more expensive.

Higher requirements for wear resistance and weather resistance

High-end artificial grass needs to undergo rigorous wear and weather resistance tests to ensure good performance in extreme environments such as high temperature, severe cold, strong ultraviolet rays, rain and snow. For example, artificial grass for professional sports venues must meet FIFA quality certification standards and be able to withstand tens of thousands of trampling and friction without deformation. This durability means higher manufacturing costs.

High transportation and installation costs

Artificial grass is generally in the form of rolls, each roll is longer and heavier, and requires special packaging and protection during transportation, especially when transported internationally, sea transportation and tariffs will increase costs. In addition, installation costs are also an important factor affecting the total cost. High-quality construction, including foundation laying, drainage design, lawn splicing, filling laying, etc., will increase costs.

Market demand and customization

In recent years, the demand for artificial grass in the sports and landscape markets has continued to grow, especially in professional sports such as football, tennis, padel, and rugby, resulting in intensified market competition for high-quality artificial grass and rising prices. At the same time, many customers pursue customization, such as color customization, Logo design, special textured grass, etc., which will increase costs.

Environmental protection and sustainable development requirements

With increasingly stringent environmental regulations, high-end artificial grass needs to meet environmental standards such as low VOC emissions, recyclable materials, and no heavy metals. For example, UNIGRASS's products are made of recyclable materials and are certified by European CE, international standards, and SGS. Although these environmental protection measures increase production costs, they also enhance the market competitiveness and sustainability of products.

Should You Choose Inexpensive Artificial Turf?

1. Suitable Situations for Choosing Inexpensive Artificial Turf

• Scenario Suitability: Short-term temporary use, lifespan ≤ 2 years, no long-term durability requirement;

• Usage Intensity: Low-frequency use, no high-frequency sports friction;

• Environmental Requirements: No contact with children, pets, or food;

• Budget Constraints: Extremely low total project budget, and acceptable issues such as fading, shedding, and aging within 1-2 years;

• Installation Requirements: No professional installation required (self-installation), and no after-sales warranty required.

2. Situations where choosing cheap artificial turf is not recommended:

Long-term use scenarios: Sports fields, kindergartens, residential courtyards, commercial landscaping, with a service life of ≥3 years;

High-requirement scenarios:

• Environmental and safety requirements: Kindergartens, schools, hospitals, children's playgrounds, as low-priced turf may contain formaldehyde, heavy metals, or use recycled waste adhesives;

• Sports performance requirements: Needs to meet requirements for elasticity, slip resistance, and wear resistance; low-priced turf has low needle density and the fibers are prone to breakage;

• Outdoor weather resistance requirements: For open-air use without shade, low-priced turf lacks a UV-resistant coating, easily fading and becoming brittle within 1 year, and prone to mold growth during the rainy season;

• Cost accounting: Long-term overall cost is more important; low-priced turf requires frequent replacement, and the total cost of replacing it twice within 3 years may exceed the single purchase cost of high-quality turf;

Risks Associated with Cheap Artificial Turf

Quality Risks

• Raw Materials: Uses recycled plastic fibers, prone to fading and breakage; non-environmentally friendly adhesive, strong odor, excessive formaldehyde; inferior infill containing heavy metals;

• Process: Low needle density, coarse fibers, low simulation, prone to pilling, poor smoothness;

• Weather Resistance: No UV protection or antibacterial treatment, fading rate ≥30% after 6 months of outdoor exposure, prone to mold growth during the rainy season.

Hidden Costs

• Replacement Costs: Requires complete replacement every 1-2 years, with additional costs for repurchase, dismantling, and installation, resulting in higher total expenses;

• Maintenance Costs: Frequent repairs of loose or damaged sections, difficult cleaning, prone to dust accumulation, poor drainage;

• Compliance Risks: Use in engineering projects (such as residential landscaping, school grounds) may result in rectification requirements due to substandard testing, leading to rework losses.

Conclusion: High price, but higher value

Behind the high price of artificial grass is the support of high-quality materials, advanced production processes, strict testing standards, and environmental protection technologies. Despite the high initial investment, artificial grass’s low maintenance cost, long service life, and all-weather applicability make it a long-term economical choice. With technological advances and intensified market competition, the price of artificial grass may gradually become reasonable, allowing more consumers to enjoy the convenience and comfort brought by high-quality lawns.