If you’ve sworn off mowing your lawn and never want to deal with applying fertilizer again, making the switch to artificial turf can sound very appealing. Although synthetic turf can be expensive if you have a large lawn, you’ll quickly find that artificial grass is worth the cost. It’s beautiful, incredibly low in maintenance, and free of toxic chemicals, making it perfect for kids and dogs.
Below, we explain the average cost of artificial grass installation in South Florida and a few factors affecting the price.
Pricing Artificial Turf
The price you’ll pay for artificial grass depends on the brand and type of turf you choose and the size of your lawn. On average, it will cost about $8 to $14 per square foot to have artificial turf installed. In total, that comes out to about $4,000 to $7,000 for a 500-square-foot area.
The cost of installing artificial turf includes:
- The artificial grass itself
- Base and installation materials
- They type of install (backyard, side yard, putting green, etc)
- Edging
- Infill materials
- Labor
Big Dog Artificial Turf provides free estimates. If you’d like an estimate for your project, call us at (561) 556-5018.
Prices for Different Types of Turf
Pricing largely depends on the type of turf you prefer. The three most common turf types are polypropylene, polyethylene, and nylon. We’ll break down the average cost for each below.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is the cheapest option at about $2 per square foot. But, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. This material can’t withstand heavy foot traffic, making it a poor choice for busy commercial areas and yards. Plus, high temperatures (like those in Florida) can cause polypropylene grass to fade.
Polypropylene is best suited for shady areas that don’t receive much traffic. It’s also ideal for indoor use (for instance, if you’d like to set up an indoor potty training room for your dog).
Polyethylene
Polyethylene is a great pick for our hot climate. It stands up well to sunshine and heat and maintains its lush, deep-green appearance even under heavy foot traffic. It’s also non-absorbent and boasts excellent drainage, making it suitable for homes with pets.
Expect to pay anywhere from $2.55 to $3.85 per square foot.
Nylon
If you’re looking for the most durable and heat-resistant turf, nylon is the material for you. While many people say this looks fake, synthetic grass made of nylon can take a serious beating from UV rays and foot traffic while maintaining its lush, deep-green hue.
Expect to pay top dollar for such high quality. On average, nylon turf will run you $5.05 to $5.83 per square foot. Due to the cost, it’s best installed in places where serious durability is needed, such as sports fields.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Estimating the cost of artificial grass installation can get complicated for certain projects, depending on your property’s layout. The price may increase if you:
- Have a very large yard, which will require more materials and labor
- Want to install artificial turf in oddly shaped or difficult-to-reach areas, such as on your roof
- Choose a specific blade shape (some blade shapes are more durable and, therefore, more expensive than others)
- Prefer a top-shelf brand of artificial grass
- Need to install drainage solutions or a sprinkler system
- Have pets and want durable turf with the appropriate drainage
Artificial Turf Cost vs. Sod Cost
Initially, artificial turf is more expensive than natural sod, which costs about $0.87 to $1.76 per square foot. This lower price may sound appealing if you’re on a tight budget, but consider the following drawbacks:
- Real grass requires frequent watering, which can cost you hundreds annually in water bills (plus, given regular water shortages, it doesn’t do our delicate environment any favors). Artificial grass will last for over 15 years in most cases!
- Real grass attracts fleas and ticks (bad news if you have pets).
- Real lawns require frequent fertilizer and pesticide applications, both of which are costly and can be toxic to animals. On average, it costs about $900 to maintain a real 500-square-foot lawn annually. A same-sized artificial lawn pays for itself in about six years.
- Real grass needs near-constant mowing in a balmy climate like Florida’s. That’s time-consuming if you do it yourself and expensive if you hire a lawn care company. Artificial turf, on the other hand, stays the same length for life.
Schedule a Synthetic Turf Installation Estimate Today
Now that you’ve learned about the typical cost of artificial grass installation in South Florida, we welcome you to reach out to Big Dogs Artificial Turf to get an estimate for your synthetic turf project. Call (561) 556-5018 to schedule a free estimate now!
