Artificial Grass for Your Backyard

What is the best artificial grass for a backyard?

There is no single best turf for every backyard: the right one depends on how the lawn is used, the look you want and your budget. Artificial Grass & Landscaping sells 7 Always Green lawn turfs, $1.49 to $3.19 per square foot cut to length, or from $0.99 as a full roll (4-roll minimum). Compare their specs below, then handle the samples.

Face weights come from the supplier and vary between production runs, so they are subject to change. Prices are per square foot, before tax.

Which of our turfs suits which backyard?

Match the turf to how the yard is used and what it is worth to you. Heavier, taller turf costs more per square foot, so the choice usually comes down to price against pile height and face weight. The list picks out, from the catalog figures alone, which turf is lowest in price, tallest, heaviest and widest; the samples show the rest.

• Lowest price cut to length: Tuscany 54 oz, $1.49 per sq ft, with a 1.34" (34 mm) pile and the lightest face weight, 25oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change).
• Lowest price by the full roll: Tuscany 54 oz, $0.99 (4-roll minimum).
• Heaviest face weight, 125oz/SQFT+/-5% (subject to change): Sierra 160 Oz. and Santa Barbara 160 Oz.
• Tallest pile, 2" (51 mm): Newport 108 Oz., Carmel 115 Oz., Tahoe 160 Oz., Sierra 160 Oz. and Santa Barbara 160 Oz.
• Omega-shaped blades: Newport 108 Oz., Tahoe 160 Oz. and Sierra 160 Oz.
• Cut up to 15 ft wide, for fewer seams across a wide yard: Tuscany 54 oz, Newport 108 Oz., Carmel 115 Oz. and Sierra 160 Oz.
• Full rolls only, not cut to length: Palm Springs 77 Oz., 7.5 ft x 40 ft or 7.5 ft x 50 ft, $1.29 (2-roll minimum).
• Backyard putting green: putting green turf is a different, short-pile turf.

Every spec side by side, with blade and backing: the turf buyer's guide.

Is artificial grass good for a backyard with kids and dogs?

It can be, with care where pets go. Every Always Green turf's catalog description says it is built to be safe and guaranteed lead free, and Camofill infill is encapsulated sand with an antimicrobial coating. Pick up after dogs and rinse the spot, more often in summer. In direct sun the turf gets hot: rinsing cools it down, and shade helps.

• Camofill Infill (50lb Bag): $24.95 a bag, one bag per 50 sq ft (about Camofill).
• Dog areas, cleaning and odors: artificial turf for dogs.
• Turf made to run cooler: TurfCool. Keep grills, fire pits and cigarettes off artificial grass; reflected sun from Low-E windows can melt the fibers.
• Shady corners where natural grass struggles can be turfed with the rest of the lawn.

How much artificial grass does a backyard need?

Measure the lawn in rectangles and multiply length by width. Turf is cut to length from rolls of a fixed width, so order enough pieces to span one side and cut each to the other. A 20 ft x 30 ft backyard is 600 sq ft: the table gives the pieces and the turf price for each lawn turf sold cut to length.

Order 2 ft extra in length: cuts are within 1 ft, not exact (the table uses the yard's own measurements). Other yard sizes and layouts: how much artificial grass to order.

What else does a backyard lawn need besides the turf?

A compacted base of base rock and decomposed granite under the turf, weed barrier where weeds have been a problem, edging, nails or staples, seaming tape and glue where two pieces meet, and infill. The 600 sq ft example takes about 12 bags of infill and one roll of weed barrier.

• Camofill Infill (50lb Bag): 12 bags, $299.40.
• Weed Barrier + (15 Year) 6ftX300ft: one 1,800 sq ft roll, $139.95.
• Seaming Tape C145 (12" x 330 ft): 330 ft to a roll, $129.00.
• Every supply, with what it is for: installation supplies. The base, step by step: base preparation.

Where can I see, buy and pick up backyard turf?

At the warehouse, 3667 Omec Park Drive, Rancho Cordova: samples of the turf hang on the fence to see or take any time, and orders can be picked up free. Local delivery is $279.00 for the first roll or cut piece and $99.00 for each additional one, with supplies riding along at no extra charge; curbside delivery to cities elsewhere in California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and Washington is $449.00 per roll, cut piece or item.

Samples hang on the fence outside the warehouse at 3667 Omec Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, to see or take any time, or order free samples online ($14.95 shipping).

3667 Omec Park Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 · (916) 370-5527 (call or text) · Mon–Fri: 7am – 5pm; Sat: 10am – 3pm (by appointment)

Delivery areas and ZIP codes: delivery and pickup.

Do you install backyard artificial grass?

We provide contractors: independent, third-party contractors install turf within 40 miles of Rancho Cordova, and Artificial Grass & Landscaping sells the turf and supplies. Contractor services are $8.00 per sq ft for 250 to 499 sq ft and $4.00 per sq ft for 500 sq ft and up, paid after the turf is installed.

We provide contractors: installation is done by independent, third-party contractors, not by Artificial Grass & Landscaping staff. Contractor services are available within 40 miles of the Rancho Cordova warehouse; further out, contact us first.

Turf, supplies, setup, tax and contractor services together: the Installation Cost Calculator and artificial grass cost.

What this page can't tell you

• Which turf you will prefer. Pile height, face weight and price are on record; how a turf feels underfoot and looks in your yard is yours to judge from the samples.
• Your exact order. The example is a plain rectangle; curves, beds and paths change the pieces. Measure each area, or book an on-site measuring visit, $249.00 within 30 miles of Rancho Cordova.
• Whether your HOA or city has rules about turf: California artificial grass laws.
• How long the lawn will last in your yard: that depends on use, installation and care (the warranty, year by year).

Questions and answers