Artificial turf or sod: which is right for your Windsor yard?

The short version

Up-front cost

Sod costs less to put in. Turf costs more up front because of the base work and the material, but it saves on water, mowing and lawn care every year after.

With the old lawn taken out, sod runs about $1.50–⁠$2.00 per sq ft. Turf runs about $10–⁠$16 per sq ft, including the dig-out and the base. On a 500 sq ft yard, that's about $750–⁠$1,000 for sod against $5,000–⁠$8,000 for turf, before HST.

Upkeep

Sod needs mowing, watering, feeding and the odd grub treatment. Turf needs an occasional rinse and a brush to stand the blades back up, and that's about it.

Summer heat

Windsor summers are hot, and grass can brown out in a dry August without regular watering. Turf stays green all summer. The trade-off is that turf gets warm in direct afternoon sun.

Kids, dogs and pools

Turf stands up to heavy traffic, stays mud-free and works well around pools. Natural grass is softer and cooler underfoot, but busy spots can wear thin.

Shade and tricky spots

Grass struggles in heavy shade and narrow side yards. Turf doesn't, which is why people often use it in exactly those spots and keep sod everywhere else.

How long each one lasts

A healthy lawn can last for decades if it's looked after. Good turf usually lasts 15 years or more before it needs replacing.

The look

Sod is the real thing. Good turf comes close, especially with a clean edge against concrete or black curbing.

Cost over the years

Sod is the cheaper way in. Turf wins back some of that gap every year, because there's no water, mowing, fertilizer or grub treatment to pay for. On a small yard, that adds up quickly. On a big lawn, the up-front gap is usually too wide to close.

Drainage on clay

Both need the ground sloped away from the house. Sod needs good soil on top of the clay. Turf sits on a compacted gravel base, and water runs through the turf into the gravel, so the base has to be built to carry it away.

Landscaping on clay soil →

Winter

Grass goes dormant and comes back in spring. Turf stays in place and stays green. Snow melts and drains through it. If you clear it, use a plastic shovel, not a metal one.

Our take

There's no wrong answer. We install both, and we'll tell you honestly which suits each part of your yard at the free estimate. Some yards end up with both.