Turf vs. Sod

Homeowners and landscapers often find themselves questioning whether they should get turf or sod in order to elevate the look of their yard. Although aesthetics play a big part when it comes to choosing what looks best for your lawn, there are many more key points to look into when making big budget decisions like this.

Maintenance

When deciding between turf and sod, clients should think about both maintenance and caution that the sod calls for. As for turf, not much maintenance and little to no caution is needed after installation. When a landscaping client has decided to officially install sod, the client should know that before the sod is installed, the soil should be watered and after the sod is placed, it has to be watered with caution. If the grass is overwatered, it will cause the roots to rot. Although sod is quick to install, it shouldn't actually be walked on or used too early due to this causing poor rooting root failure. Clients should wait 1-2 weeks after the sod has been installed before they can step on the sod. For turf, although it does take longer for turf to be installed, customers are able to use the turf as soon as the job is completed. The turf doesn't get damaged no matter how much water falls ontop of it. When in times of hurricane season when theres heavy rainfall, we advise for customers to let the water soak into the turf since it's possible for water to sit ontop of the turf. Also, after turf is installed; there is no need for continuous follow-up maintenance. We recommend customers to occasionally rinse off and blowing the debris off using a leaf blower in order to prevent root growth.

Cost Breakdown

Another reason as to why turf is recommended rather than sod is due to its cost. The price of installing sod which includes the sod itself, installation, ground prep, and labor fee can range from a total of $1,000-$5,000 per 1/4th of an acre, this however doesn't include the ongoing costs for maintenance. A list of some things other than the sod you'd be paying for are; irrigation systems, higher water bill, fertilizer, pest control, etc. An average 800-square-foot lawn requires approximately 498 gallons of water for just one inch of watering, based on the standard conversion factor (0.623 gallons per square foot per inch). If watered three times per week, that adds up to around 1,500 gallons per month—or a staggering 18,000 gallons of water annually. In addition to the high water usage, maintaining a natural lawn also comes with ongoing costs for mowing, trimming, pesticides, and fertilizers, making it both water- and resource-intensive. As for a regular turf install, the breakdown for the upfront expense of installing turf would include; the artificial turf, ground prep, subbase delivery, nailer boards, turf installation, and the silica sand infill. After the turf is installed, theres no other expense on anything else other than a small percentage of the water bill, a leaf blower, and rare to no repair service. Roughly measuring the cost of installing 1,300sf of sod vs. 1,300sf of turf over the span of more than 2 years, sod comes to a total of $2,100 plus $300-$500 yearly expenses, and turf would be a total of $13,000 with no ongoing expenses. Sod does come to be cheaper upfront but with expensive ongoing cost compared to turf having a more expensive upfront cost but with no ongoing expenses, it pays for itself in time, convenience, and peace of mind. In the long run, turf isn’t just the more practical choice

Grass Durability

The lifespan of each type of grass can make it or break it for most. Sod can last for decades but as mentioned before if consistent maintenance isn't done the sod can begin to thin out, die off, and cause bare patches especially if its under constant foot traffic and extreme weather conditions. In contrast, turf is built to last through intense use, high traffic, harsh climates, and years of wear without it losing its color, dry out, or get muddy. Over time turf keeps a constant clean and lush look without the hassle, way more durable, and last just as long if not even longer than sod does making it a smarter investment.

In the debate between sod and turf, it’s clear that turf offers long-term advantages that sod simply can’t match. While sod may be quicker and cheaper to install initially, it requires careful watering, wait before use, and continuous maintenance to stay healthy — all of which add to its true cost over time. Turf, on the other hand, can be used immediately after installation, minimal upkeep, and a consistent, polished look year-round. It holds up against heavy foot traffic, extreme weather, and doesn’t demand the time, money, or energy that natural grass does. For these simple reasons are why our clients prefer to go for Tough Turf!