Synthetic Grass Costs More Upfront, But Pays For Its Longevity

Synthetic grass costs more upfront, but when considered over its long lifespan and the savings on watering bills, it often pays for itself.

The cost of installing synthetic turf can vary depending on the type, brand and area to be covered, but homeowners should expect the following costs.

Installation costs for synthetic lawns usually include labor, which runs between $3 to $9 per square foot. It also includes the cost of class II road base, which is laid before the artificial grass to improve drainage and prevent weed growth. This material costs between $0.30 to $0.70 per square foot.

Why Synthetic Grass Costs More Than Traditional Lawn Care

Homeowners should also factor in landscape edging, which costs between $40 and $345 per linear foot. This is used to keep the road base contained within the boundaries of the synthetic lawn and prevent it from spilling into paved areas. It is typically recommended to use metal edging, but other options are plastic bender board, wood, stone, or brick.

Infill for synthetic grass can run from $20 to $50 per cubic yard, and it is used to keep the blades upright and add a natural feel to the turf. It is made from recycled rubber and sand, and it can be topped with a crumb rubber surface, which offers extra cushioning.

Installing synthetic turf in a curved or oddly shaped area requires more labor, which can increase the total cost of the project by 15% to 20%. This is because the pro will need to work around the curved design and existing landscaping to ensure that the turf fits properly.