The turf guide
The Phoenix turf guide: heat, dogs, infill and what lasts.
What we tell people on the design visit, written down. How hot it gets, what goes under it, which infill to pick, and what a good quote should say.
- Lifespan
- 15 to 20 years
- Base
- 3 in compacted
- Warranty
- 15 years
- Reading time
- 6 minutes
Turf types
Four turfs, side by side.
| Turf | Blade | Face weight | Backing | Best for | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday | 1.5 in | 70 oz | Perforated | Lawns and play | $11 a sq ft |
| Pet | 1.25 in | 65 oz | Flow-through | Dogs | $13 a sq ft |
| Cool-Touch | 1.75 in | 75 oz | Perforated | Full sun, bare feet | $14 a sq ft |
| Putting | 0.6 in | 55 oz | Perforated | Putting greens | $24 a sq ft |
The heat question
Scrub through a July day.
Slide from sunrise to after dark and watch four surfaces. This is why we plan shade and Cool-Touch turf where people sit and lie down.
Sample readings for a 112°F July day. The dashed line is about 120°F, where bare feet start to notice. Your yard depends on sun, shade and wind.
Infill
What the sand between the blades does.
Tap one to see what it’s for.
Best for:
Under the turf
What a good quote should say.
- How deep they dig (we dig 4 inches)
- How much base and how many compaction passes (3 inches, two passes)
- How seams are joined (tape, glue and nails every 6 inches)
- Which infill, and how much
- The warranty, in years, on the turf and on the work
- Cooling infill, brushed in
- Turf with flow-through backing, seams glued and nailed every 6 inches
- 1 inch of leveling fines, graded to drain
- 3 inches of crushed rock, compacted in two passes
- Native soil and caliche, dug out 4 inches
- Polymeric sand joints and a concrete edge restraint
- Pavers, set and compacted
- 1 inch of bedding sand
- 4 inches of compacted base
- Native soil and caliche, dug out 7 inches
FAQ
More turf questions.
How hot does turf get?
What face weight should I want?
What should a turf quote say?
Is turf better than desert plants?
Next step
See it before we dig.
Send your address and get a plan with a fixed price in 48 hours. Most Valley backyards run $9,000 to $28,000, from about $187 a month.
Got it, friend. Tess will text you from (480) 790-3036 within the hour, 7 AM to 7 PM.
This is a concept site by Noventa, so nothing was sent. Want one like it?