Real grass is our specialty, and for most Atlanta yards it’s still the best choice. But some yards just don’t work for grass, no matter how much time and money goes into them. For those yards, artificial turf can be the better option. Here’s when it makes sense, and what goes into installing it right.

Too Much Shade for Grass

Most grass needs sunlight to survive. Zoysia and Bermuda want a good amount of direct sun, and even fescue, our most shade-tolerant option, thins out under heavy tree cover. If your yard sits under tall pines or oaks, you may have already tried seed or sod and watched it fade away. Turf doesn’t need sunlight, so it stays green and full in spots where grass keeps failing.

A Good Option If You Have Dogs

Dogs are hard on lawns. Their urine can leave yellow or brown burn spots, and a dog that runs the same path along the fence every day will wear a muddy strip into the ground. After a rain, that mud ends up on your paws, your floors and your couch.

Turf handles this differently. There’s no grass to burn, and no dirt to track in. Urine drains straight through the turf and into the base underneath. Rinsing the area with a hose keeps it fresh, and pet-friendly turf and infill are made to help control odor. This is one of the biggest reasons homeowners with dogs call us about turf.

Other Good Reasons to Choose Turf

  • Low maintenance: no mowing, no fertilizing, no weed control and no seasonal reseeding.
  • Green all year: it looks the same in January as it does in May, with no brown dormant season.
  • Less water: you don’t need to run sprinklers to keep it alive.
  • Slopes and problem spots: turf can cover areas where grass won’t hold, such as steep ground or places that stay muddy.
  • Small yards and play areas: a clean, even surface for kids, pets, patios and side yards.

Why the Base Matters Most

What goes under the turf matters more than the turf itself. Georgia red clay holds water, so if turf is laid straight onto the soil, the water has nowhere to go. You end up with puddles, a soggy surface, bumps and a lingering smell.

That’s why every turf installation should include a proper base:

  1. Remove the old surface. We clear out the grass, weeds and roots, and grade the area so water runs the right way.
  2. Add gravel base material. A layer of crushed stone gives water a place to drain and keeps the surface from settling.
  3. Compact it firmly. A well-packed base stays flat and smooth. A loose base leads to dips and ripples over time.
  4. Lay the turf, seam and secure the edges. Then we brush in infill so the blades stand up and the turf feels natural underfoot.

If your yard already has drainage problems, we can deal with that first. See our drainage and grading services.

Things to Know Before You Decide

We want you to choose what’s right for your yard, so here’s the honest side. Turf costs more up front than sod. On hot, sunny summer days it can get warm to the touch, so it’s worth thinking about if kids or pets will use it in direct sun. It also isn’t maintenance-free. It still needs occasional brushing, rinsing and clearing of leaves.

If your yard gets decent sun and you want a real lawn, grass is usually the better value. See our sod and grass options. If it’s mostly shade, or you have dogs that tear up the lawn, turf is worth a serious look.

Get a Free Estimate

Not sure whether turf or sod is right for your yard? Text us at (770) 891-2245 with your address, the approximate square footage and a photo or two of the area. We’ll tell you what we’d recommend and give you a ballpark price. You can also send a request through our contact page.