Synthetic Turf: Thinking of Replacing My Natural Grass (1 Viewer)

[OC Zed]

Due to drainage problems on my lot, I am looking into replacing portions of my natural grass yard with a synthetic turf. I could be looking to do anywhere from 1,500 - 5,000 sf. I'm just starting to do research on this, but I was wondering if any FBGs have any experience with this stuff? What are the costs per square foot (including removal costs and labor/installation)? What is the typical lifespan and how well does the turf age (e.g., does it fade, lose softness, etc.)? How does it handle drainage with heavy rains? Anything else I should know???

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Due to drainage problems on my lot, I am looking into replacing portions of my natural grass yard with a synthetic turf. I could be looking to do anywhere from 1,500 - 5,000 sf. I'm just starting to do research on this, but I was wondering if any FBGs have any experience with this stuff? What are the costs per square foot (including removal costs and labor/installation)? What is the typical lifespan and how well does the turf age (e.g., does it fade, lose softness, etc.)? How does it handle drainage with heavy rains? Anything else I should know???

It's crazy expensive.

 

[Spanky267]

Are you in a deed restricted community. Some do not allow the installation of the fake grass.

 

[OC Zed]

Due to drainage problems on my lot, I am looking into replacing portions of my natural grass yard with a synthetic turf. I could be looking to do anywhere from 1,500 - 5,000 sf. I'm just starting to do research on this, but I was wondering if any FBGs have any experience with this stuff? What are the costs per square foot (including removal costs and labor/installation)? What is the typical lifespan and how well does the turf age (e.g., does it fade, lose softness, etc.)? How does it handle drainage with heavy rains? Anything else I should know???

It's crazy expensive.

Ya, how expensive?

 

[OC Zed]

Are you in a deed restricted community. Some do not allow the installation of the fake grass.

No, I'm free and clear to do whatever I want. I could be a real ##### and paint it with yard markers if I wanted to.

 

[Spanky267]

Are you in a deed restricted community. Some do not allow the installation of the fake grass.

No, I'm free and clear to do whatever I want. I could be a real ##### and paint it with yard markers if I wanted to.

That would be awesome!

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Due to drainage problems on my lot, I am looking into replacing portions of my natural grass yard with a synthetic turf. I could be looking to do anywhere from 1,500 - 5,000 sf. I'm just starting to do research on this, but I was wondering if any FBGs have any experience with this stuff? What are the costs per square foot (including removal costs and labor/installation)? What is the typical lifespan and how well does the turf age (e.g., does it fade, lose softness, etc.)? How does it handle drainage with heavy rains? Anything else I should know???

It's crazy expensive.

Ya, how expensive?

Crazy expensive.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I think a lawn with artificial turf is kind of silly. For one thing, you're likely to tear an ACL walking out to pick up the morning paper.

But then again, a lawn with grass is also kind of silly if you don't have a pet goat.

Therefore, I recommend going against artificial turf, and instead getting a pet goat.

 

[McGarnicle]

Probably cheaper to address the drainage issue with a French drain, dry well, plant stuff that likes wet conditions, etc.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Worms are going to hate you.

 

[NCCommish]

Probably cheaper to address the drainage issue with a French drain, dry well, plant stuff that likes wet conditions, etc.

Yep

 

[OC Zed]

Probably cheaper to address the drainage issue with a French drain, dry well, plant stuff that likes wet conditions, etc.

I am already going to do French drains, but am also considering the synthetic turf because a large of the moisture problems I'm having with my concrete slab is due to irrigating my lawn.

ETA: And I don't really like the look of a desert (low water) landscape for my front yard... hence the desire to stick with some form of grass.

 

[McGarnicle]

Probably cheaper to address the drainage issue with a French drain, dry well, plant stuff that likes wet conditions, etc.

I am already going to do French drains, but am also considering the synthetic turf because a large of the moisture problems I'm having with my concrete slab is due to irrigating my lawn.

ETA: And I don't really like the look of a desert (low water) landscape for my front yard... hence the desire to stick with some form of grass.

You're either watering to much or you don't have the correct slope away from the house.

 

[NCCommish]

Probably cheaper to address the drainage issue with a French drain, dry well, plant stuff that likes wet conditions, etc.

I am already going to do French drains, but am also considering the synthetic turf because a large of the moisture problems I'm having with my concrete slab is due to irrigating my lawn.

ETA: And I don't really like the look of a desert (low water) landscape for my front yard... hence the desire to stick with some form of grass.

You're either watering to much or you don't have the correct slope away from the house.

That could definitely be a lot of it.

 

[OC Zed]

Probably cheaper to address the drainage issue with a French drain, dry well, plant stuff that likes wet conditions, etc.

I am already going to do French drains, but am also considering the synthetic turf because a large of the moisture problems I'm having with my concrete slab is due to irrigating my lawn.

ETA: And I don't really like the look of a desert (low water) landscape for my front yard... hence the desire to stick with some form of grass.

You're either watering to much or you don't have the correct slope away from the house.

Yes, it's a sloping issue - the front and side yards slope toward the house (the house was built in 1948 without the standard grading that is done today). I can't really reverse the slope because of the street, hence the need for the French drain and maybe changing the turf. (I'm also removing certain portions of the grass altogether and moving a row of sprinklers.)

But back to the synthetic grass... any experience? Some early ball park estimates I'm getting from online research and some phone calls is for $6.00-$9.00/sf. That's a bit hefty, but might be manageable for at least the front and side yards.

 

[Sarnoff]

Are you in a deed restricted community. Some do not allow the installation of the fake grass.

No, I'm free and clear to do whatever I want. I could be a real ##### and paint it with yard markers if I wanted to.

OK, but what about goal posts?

 

[St. Louis Bob]

I think a lawn with artificial turf is kind of silly. For one thing, you're likely to tear an ACL walking out to pick up the morning paper.

But then again, a lawn with grass is also kind of silly if you don't have a pet goat.

Therefore, I recommend going against artificial turf, and instead getting a pet goat.

Oh and STL is way ahead of you.

Why that video is on the same page is also

 

[McGarnicle]

Probably cheaper to address the drainage issue with a French drain, dry well, plant stuff that likes wet conditions, etc.

I am already going to do French drains, but am also considering the synthetic turf because a large of the moisture problems I'm having with my concrete slab is due to irrigating my lawn.

ETA: And I don't really like the look of a desert (low water) landscape for my front yard... hence the desire to stick with some form of grass.

You're either watering to much or you don't have the correct slope away from the house.

Yes, it's a sloping issue - the front and side yards slope toward the house (the house was built in 1948 without the standard grading that is done today). I can't really reverse the slope because of the street, hence the need for the French drain and maybe changing the turf. (I'm also removing certain portions of the grass altogether and moving a row of sprinklers.)

But back to the synthetic grass... any experience? Some early ball park estimates I'm getting from online research and some phone calls is for $6.00-$9.00/sf. That's a bit hefty, but might be manageable for at least the front and side yards.

Fake grass on a lawn looks ridiculous IMO, and shouldn't be necessary if you're not overwatering.

 

[OC Zed]

Probably cheaper to address the drainage issue with a French drain, dry well, plant stuff that likes wet conditions, etc.

I am already going to do French drains, but am also considering the synthetic turf because a large of the moisture problems I'm having with my concrete slab is due to irrigating my lawn.

ETA: And I don't really like the look of a desert (low water) landscape for my front yard... hence the desire to stick with some form of grass.

You're either watering to much or you don't have the correct slope away from the house.

Yes, it's a sloping issue - the front and side yards slope toward the house (the house was built in 1948 without the standard grading that is done today). I can't really reverse the slope because of the street, hence the need for the French drain and maybe changing the turf. (I'm also removing certain portions of the grass altogether and moving a row of sprinklers.)

But back to the synthetic grass... any experience? Some early ball park estimates I'm getting from online research and some phone calls is for $6.00-$9.00/sf. That's a bit hefty, but might be manageable for at least the front and side yards.

Fake grass on a lawn looks ridiculous IMO, and shouldn't be necessary if you're not overwatering.

I'm not overwatering... the lawn is already a bit brown from the summer time. The problem is from the water that seeps into the surface and runs under the slab.

And I don't mind synthetic grass... particularly the newer stuff that's come out in the last 10 years. It looks fine to me. And I'd be delighted to not have to constantly water, mow and maintain the natural stuff.

 

[pollardsvision]

Get you some that green porch carpet. Or go with the blue, particularly if you are going with yard markers and goal posts.

 

[OC Zed]

Due to drainage problems on my lot, I am looking into replacing portions of my natural grass yard with a synthetic turf. I could be looking to do anywhere from 1,500 - 5,000 sf. I'm just starting to do research on this, but I was wondering if any FBGs have any experience with this stuff? What are the costs per square foot (including removal costs and labor/installation)? What is the typical lifespan and how well does the turf age (e.g., does it fade, lose softness, etc.)? How does it handle drainage with heavy rains? Anything else I should know???

Friday bump.

 

[5Rings]

Due to drainage problems on my lot, I am looking into replacing portions of my natural grass yard with a synthetic turf. I could be looking to do anywhere from 1,500 - 5,000 sf. I'm just starting to do research on this, but I was wondering if any FBGs have any experience with this stuff? What are the costs per square foot (including removal costs and labor/installation)? What is the typical lifespan and how well does the turf age (e.g., does it fade, lose softness, etc.)? How does it handle drainage with heavy rains? Anything else I should know???

It's crazy expensive.

Ya, how expensive?

I was quoted $30k for only doing 1/2 an acre

 

[OC Zed]

Due to drainage problems on my lot, I am looking into replacing portions of my natural grass yard with a synthetic turf. I could be looking to do anywhere from 1,500 - 5,000 sf. I'm just starting to do research on this, but I was wondering if any FBGs have any experience with this stuff? What are the costs per square foot (including removal costs and labor/installation)? What is the typical lifespan and how well does the turf age (e.g., does it fade, lose softness, etc.)? How does it handle drainage with heavy rains? Anything else I should know???

It's crazy expensive.

Ya, how expensive?

I was quoted $30k for only doing 1/2 an acre

That's roughly 20,000 sf? That's $1.50/sf... that sounds really cheap actually.

 

[=Smackdown=]

Due to drainage problems on my lot, I am looking into replacing portions of my natural grass yard with a synthetic turf. I could be looking to do anywhere from 1,500 - 5,000 sf. I'm just starting to do research on this, but I was wondering if any FBGs have any experience with this stuff? What are the costs per square foot (including removal costs and labor/installation)? What is the typical lifespan and how well does the turf age (e.g., does it fade, lose softness, etc.)? How does it handle drainage with heavy rains? Anything else I should know???

It's crazy expensive.

Ya, how expensive?

It's roughly 3X the costs of sod.

And the new turf that is out these days looks exactly like grass. Never mow it, water it, weed it, etc.

Thinking of doing my entire front & back yard in the spring.

Edit to add: Prices range between $1.59 and $4.00 per square foot. Freight and/or installation not included.

 

[DCThunder]

Won't a non-absorbant surface like artificial turf make your drainage problem worse, not better?

 

[mr roboto]

Is your water problem that its getting underneath your slab on grade? Or against a basement wall?

 

[OC Zed]

Won't a non-absorbant surface like artificial turf make your drainage problem worse, not better?

It shouldn't... there would no longer be any daily watering from the sprinklers (run about 7 months through the year - SoCal) and the gravel underlayment and new French drains should take care of any rainfall.

 

[OC Zed]

Is your water problem that its getting underneath your slab on grade? Or against a basement wall?

It's the water that is coming underneath the slab... I do not have a basement.

 

[mr roboto]

Is your water problem that its getting underneath your slab on grade? Or against a basement wall?

It's the water that is coming underneath the slab... I do not have a basement.

Can you dig down near the house and install something that will channel water away? It rely seems like you are taking the most expensive option to solve this.

 

[OC Zed]

Is your water problem that its getting underneath your slab on grade? Or against a basement wall?

It's the water that is coming underneath the slab... I do not have a basement.

Can you dig down near the house and install something that will channel water away? It rely seems like you are taking the most expensive option to solve this.

That is what the French drains should do. The synthetic grass would be the suspenders part of the belt & suspenders solution.

 

[mr roboto]

If you want the synthetic grass, go for it. But I don't think you need it. And personally I'd rather do a dry scape with some plantings than fake grass.

Upload a pic of your front yard.

 

[Gianni Verscotchie]

do you have to vacuum that stuff? How do you keep it looking nice?

 

[belljr]

zoiysa

 

[OC Zed]

do you have to vacuum that stuff? How do you keep it looking nice?

Don't really have to do anything other than maybe use a leaf blower from time to time and sweep it with a broom once or twice a month.

 

[Copeman]

do you have to vacuum that stuff? How do you keep it looking nice?

Just cut it with a fake lawn mower.

 

[Copeman]

If at some point in the future you need some money, you can always go poke a few holes in your yard and put little flags in them and charge people a putting green fee.

 

[Dragons]

do you have to vacuum that stuff? How do you keep it looking nice?

Don't really have to do anything other than maybe use a leaf blower from time to time and sweep it with a broom once or twice a month.

I don't know if artificial grass for this purpose requires an in-fill, but if it does, it seems you'd blow it all over the place.

 

[T Bell]

do you have to vacuum that stuff? How do you keep it looking nice?

Artificial cows.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I have a small area in the backyard. It's been 8 years since I had it done. I can't recall the cost, but I'll see if I have something kicking around with information on it. The only real downside I've found to it over that timeframe is that it gets freakin' hot in the summer.

 

[OC Zed]

I have a small area in the backyard. It's been 8 years since I had it done. I can't recall the cost, but I'll see if I have something kicking around with information on it. The only real downside I've found to it over that timeframe is that it gets freakin' hot in the summer.

Too hot to walk on with bare feet or to lie down on? Not that I do this much anyways...

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I have a small area in the backyard. It's been 8 years since I had it done. I can't recall the cost, but I'll see if I have something kicking around with information on it. The only real downside I've found to it over that timeframe is that it gets freakin' hot in the summer.

Too hot to walk on with bare feet or to lie down on? Not that I do this much anyways...

There are times you wouldn't want to walk on it, yeah. But I'm talking in direct sunlight in 115 degrees here. There isn't much laying in the grass going on then anyway. It just gets much hotter than real grass would. Of course it also stays, you know, greener.

 

[Otis]

This sounds like a really desperate attempt to find justification for covering your property with fake grass.

Why do you love fake grass this much?

 

[top dog]

do you have to vacuum that stuff? How do you keep it looking nice?

Artificial cows.

 

[top dog]

Can't you just truck in a crap load of dirt and build up your grade away from the house? That's what us hillbillies in the Midwest do.

 

[Mario Kart]

This sounds more like a story between a man named Zed who was living with three boys of his own. They were four men, living all together but they are all alone. Then, one day, when a lady met Zed, they knew they were much more than a bunch. Just don't invite any cousins over. Ruins the whole thing.

 

[the moops]

Why do people love grass so much? Put some shrubs and native grasses and other #### that doesnt need watering 7 months out of the year.

 

[bentley]

Why do people love grass so much? Put some shrubs and native grasses and other #### that doesnt need watering 7 months out of the year.

No #### man. Daily watering 7 months out of the year should be a criminal offense.

 

[Ilov80s]

Putting fake grass in your yard just seems weird. I wouldn't ever do it.

 

[OC Zed]

This sounds like a really desperate attempt to find justification for covering your property with fake grass.

Why do you love fake grass this much?

It's not that I love fake grass so much. It's that I hate dealing with moisture damage and dealing with water and landscaping bills that gouge my wallet every month. Let's discuss when the Otis house has ruined floors and $200+ month in yard costs.

 

[OC Zed]

Why do people love grass so much? Put some shrubs and native grasses and other #### that doesnt need watering 7 months out of the year.

A desert landscape wouldn't look very good in my front yard. And we (my daughter) and the neighborhood kids actually use the front yard... it's great in our cul de sac.