What Is Fake Grass Called? Names, Types, and What to Know Before You Buy

Quick Answer:
What is fake grass called? The most common names are artificial grass, synthetic turf, and artificial turf, all describing the same product. AstroTurf is a brand name from the 1960s that became so widely used it is now a common term for the entire category, similar to how Kleenex refers to all facial tissues. Other names you may encounter include fake turf, synthetic grass, and lawn turf. Modern artificial grass is made from polyethylene or polypropylene fibers engineered to replicate the appearance and feel of natural grass, and it is used in residential yards, commercial landscapes, dog runs, putting greens, and sports facilities.

 

 

Key Takeaways

✅ Artificial grass, synthetic turf, and fake grass all refer to the same product. The terminology varies by region, context, and generation but describes the same category of manufactured grass surface. AstroTurf is a brand name, not a product category.

✅ Modern artificial grass looks and feels significantly different from early versions. The stiff, plastic-looking turf of the 1960s bears little resemblance to current products, which use soft polyethylene fibers engineered to replicate the texture and movement of natural grass.

✅ Artificial grass requires less maintenance than natural grass but is not zero maintenance. Mowing, watering, and fertilizing are eliminated. Occasional rinsing, brushing, and annual professional cleaning keep the surface clean, hygienic, and long-lasting.

✅ Residential turf is different from sports field turf. Athletic facilities use heavier infill systems, sometimes including crumb rubber. Residential installations typically use silica sand or organic infill and are designed for aesthetics and pet use rather than high-impact sports.

✅ A well-maintained artificial grass installation lasts 15 to 20 years. Lifespan depends on installation quality, fiber material, climate exposure, use intensity, and whether professional cleaning is performed on a regular schedule.

 

What Is Fake Grass Called? All the Names Explained

Fake grass has accumulated a range of names over the decades, and different people use different terms for the same product. Here is what each name means and how they relate to each other.

Artificial grass: the most common term in the United States for residential and commercial synthetic lawn installations. Used by installers, retailers, and homeowners. Refers to any manufactured grass-like surface designed for outdoor use.

Synthetic turf: more commonly used in commercial, athletic, and municipal contexts. You are more likely to hear “synthetic turf” when referring to a school field or sports facility, and “artificial grass” when referring to a residential backyard.

Fake grass: the informal, everyday term most homeowners use in conversation. No technical distinction from artificial grass or synthetic turf. The same product.

Artificial turf: interchangeable with artificial grass in most contexts. Slightly more formal usage, often preferred in commercial and facility management settings.

AstroTurf: a brand name, not a generic category. AstroTurf was the first widely commercialized synthetic turf product, installed in the Houston Astrodome in 1966. The brand became so associated with the product that many people now use it to mean any artificial grass, similar to how Kleenex is used for any facial tissue. AstroTurf the brand still exists, but modern artificial grass products from any manufacturer are not technically AstroTurf unless they are made by that specific company.

Lawn turf / turf grass: less common terms that sometimes refer to artificial grass but can also refer to natural grass sod. Context usually clarifies which is meant.

Fake turf / synthetic grass: additional informal variants. Same product, same meaning.

📌 If someone calls it “AstroTurf,” “fake grass,” “synthetic turf,” or “artificial grass,” they are almost certainly describing the same product. The name varies by the speaker's background and the context of the conversation.

 

What Is the Difference Between Artificial Grass and Natural Grass?

The fundamental difference is that artificial grass is a manufactured surface and natural grass is a living plant system. This distinction drives everything else: how each one is maintained, how it performs, how long it lasts, and how much it costs over time.

Natural grass is a biological ecosystem. It grows, requires water and nutrients, regenerates when damaged, provides natural cooling through evapotranspiration, and supports the soil biology underneath it. It also requires mowing, watering, fertilizing, weed control, and periodic renovation to stay healthy and attractive.

Artificial grass is a permanent surface installation. It does not grow, does not require water to stay green, does not support soil biology, and cannot regenerate when individual fibers are damaged. It also does not require mowing, watering, fertilizing, or weed treatment. The maintenance it does require is surface hygiene rather than biological upkeep.

Maintenance comparison

Natural grass requires: mowing every 1 to 2 weeks during growing season, watering multiple times per week in dry climates, seasonal fertilization, weed control, and occasional reseeding or renovation in damaged areas.

Artificial grass requires: rinsing every 1 to 2 weeks to remove surface debris, brushing every 2 to 4 weeks to keep fibers upright, prompt removal of pet waste, and professional deep cleaning once or twice a year to address infill accumulation.

Cost comparison

Artificial grass costs more to install than natural grass sod, typically several dollars per square foot for materials and installation versus a fraction of that for sod. Over time, the savings from eliminating water bills, lawn equipment, fertilizers, and professional mowing services typically offset the installation premium within 5 to 8 years, depending on local water costs and lawn care pricing.

Appearance

Natural grass changes appearance seasonally, browns in drought, develops bare patches under heavy use, and becomes muddy after rain. Artificial grass maintains a consistent green appearance year-round regardless of weather, traffic, or season.

 

Is Artificial Grass the Same as Turf or AstroTurf?

These terms overlap but are not identical.

Artificial grass is the broad category describing any synthetic lawn surface. Turf can refer to either natural sod or artificial grass depending on context. AstroTurf is a specific brand that makes one variety of artificial grass and is not synonymous with the entire category, though it is widely used that way in casual conversation.

The distinction matters most when comparing products. Modern artificial grass products from manufacturers like TurFresh's recommended suppliers, FieldTurf, and others are technically different from AstroTurf's specific product line, even though all of them fall under the broader category of artificial grass or synthetic turf.

In everyday use, if someone asks “do you have AstroTurf?” they almost certainly mean artificial grass in general. The nuance only matters in commercial or technical purchasing contexts.

 

Is Artificial Grass Better for Pet Owners?

For most pet households, yes. Artificial grass handles pet use better than natural grass in several practical ways.

Natural grass in a yard with dogs typically develops dead patches from urine, bare spots from digging, and muddy areas from high-traffic routes. These patches require reseeding, fertilization, and ongoing repair to maintain a presentable appearance. In warm climates where dogs use the yard daily, maintaining natural grass in good condition is a continuous challenge.

Artificial grass does not produce dead patches from pet urine. Urine drains through the backing when the drainage system is correctly installed. Solid waste is removed in the same way as from any surface. The turf maintains a consistent appearance regardless of pet use volume.

The one ongoing requirement for pet households is odor management. Pet urine leaves ammonia and bacterial compounds that accumulate in the infill layer over time. These require enzyme-based cleaning products like TurFresh BioS+ for ongoing maintenance, and professional deep cleaning annually or more frequently for multi-dog households. Without this maintenance, persistent odor develops over time.

📌 Artificial grass is not a zero-maintenance solution for pet households. It eliminates the physical lawn damage that pets cause to natural grass, but requires consistent odor management to stay fresh.

 

Is Artificial Grass Cheaper Than Natural Grass?

Over a 10-year period, artificial grass is typically less expensive for most residential properties in warm climates, once installation costs are factored against ongoing savings.

The calculation depends on local water costs, lawn service rates, and climate. In arid markets like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Southern California where water costs are high and year-round irrigation is required, the break-even point is typically 3 to 5 years. In cooler, wetter climates where natural grass grows easily and requires minimal irrigation, the break-even may extend to 7 to 10 years.

Artificial grass eliminates: water bills for lawn irrigation, which can represent 30 to 50 percent of a household's total water use in arid climates; lawn mowing services; fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides; and periodic lawn renovation costs.

What artificial grass adds: installation cost, occasional professional cleaning ($150 to $400 per service for a typical residential yard), and eventual replacement after 15 to 20 years.

 

Is Artificial Grass Environmentally Friendly?

The environmental picture is nuanced and depends on which factors you prioritize.

On the positive side: artificial grass eliminates lawn irrigation, which according to the EPA accounts for roughly 30 percent of average U.S. residential water use and up to 60 percent in drier western states. It eliminates the use of pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers that run off into local waterways. It also eliminates fuel consumption from mowing equipment.

On the other side: artificial grass is manufactured from petroleum-based synthetic materials and is not biodegradable at the end of its useful life. Some infill materials, particularly crumb rubber from recycled tires, have raised concerns in athletic facility contexts. Residential installations typically use silica sand or organic infill alternatives that carry fewer concerns.

For homeowners in drought-prone regions of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas, the water conservation benefit is typically the dominant environmental factor. In areas with abundant rainfall and low water costs, the calculus is more balanced.

 

What Happens After You Install Artificial Grass?

This is the question most buyers do not think to ask until after installation, and it is worth understanding before you commit.

Immediately after installation, some artificial grass surfaces look flat or compressed from shipping and handling. This is normal. One thorough brushing session against the natural grain of the fibers restores upright position in most cases. This is not a product defect.

In the first weeks, you will establish your maintenance routine: how often to rinse, where the pet zones are and how to manage them, and what cleaning products work for your situation. Most homeowners find this takes significantly less time than their previous natural grass care.

Within 6 to 12 months, you will notice areas that receive consistent traffic beginning to show more use than others. Regular brushing in high-use zones maintains fiber position and prevents matting from becoming permanent.

At the one-year mark, professional deep cleaning is worth scheduling. Surface rinsing does not reach the infill layer where fine debris and, in pet households, urine compounds accumulate over time. An annual professional clean resets the system and prevents the compounding odor problems that develop in neglected turf.

Over 15 to 20 years with consistent maintenance, artificial grass pays for itself in time saved and costs eliminated while providing a consistently green, usable outdoor space.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is fake grass called?

Fake grass is most commonly called artificial grass or synthetic turf. Other names include artificial turf, fake turf, and synthetic grass. AstroTurf is a brand name that has become widely used to describe the entire category, similar to how Kleenex refers to all facial tissues. All of these terms describe the same basic product: a manufactured surface made from synthetic fibers designed to replicate the appearance of natural grass.

Is AstroTurf the same as artificial grass?

AstroTurf is a brand name for one manufacturer's line of synthetic turf products. Artificial grass is the broader product category. All AstroTurf is artificial grass, but not all artificial grass is AstroTurf. In everyday conversation, most people who say “AstroTurf” mean artificial grass in general, regardless of the manufacturer.

What is the difference between artificial grass and synthetic turf?

There is no meaningful technical difference. Artificial grass and synthetic turf describe the same product. Synthetic turf is more commonly used in commercial, athletic, and facility contexts. Artificial grass is more commonly used in residential landscaping conversations. Both terms refer to manufactured grass-like surfaces made from synthetic fibers.

Is artificial grass cheaper than real grass?

Artificial grass costs more to install but is typically less expensive over a 10-year period for properties in warm, dry climates. Water savings, the elimination of mowing and lawn care services, and reduced chemical costs offset the installation premium within 3 to 8 years depending on local costs and climate.

How long does artificial grass last?

A well-maintained artificial grass installation typically lasts 15 to 20 years. Lifespan depends on installation quality, fiber material, climate exposure, and whether regular maintenance including professional cleaning is performed. Neglected pet turf may require replacement sooner due to infill saturation.

Does artificial grass need maintenance?

Yes, but significantly less than natural grass. Mowing, watering, fertilizing, and chemical treatments are eliminated. What remains is periodic rinsing, brushing every 2 to 4 weeks, pet waste management, and professional deep cleaning once or twice a year. Pet households require more frequent attention to odor management.

My new artificial grass looks flat. Is that normal?

Yes. Artificial grass is shipped and installed in rolls, which compresses the fibers. After installation, the fibers often lie flat from that compression. One thorough brushing session against the natural grain of the fibers restores upright position in most cases. This is not a product defect and does not indicate a problem with the installation.