Artificial Grass for Patios: Surfaces and Methods
A patio install has no soil to dig and no rock base to build. The turf goes onto a hard surface that's already there. That makes it smaller and quicker than a lawn, but the method changes with the surface underneath. These are the four surfaces people ask about.
Turf Over Concrete Patio Slabs
On a slab the turf is glued, not nailed. Fixr describes a pad under the turf for comfort, then bender board to finish the edges at $0.14 to $0.15 a square foot. Angi says not to glue turf straight onto bare concrete: a cushioning underlayment protects the backing and softens falls. Fixr suggests a taller pile, around 60 mm, so feet don't feel the slab.
Turf on Wood Decks
A deck has to be sound before anything covers it. One turf maker's deck guide says to replace rotting boards, tighten loose ones and level the surface. It suggests perforated backing over a breathable underlayment, so water drains and the wood can dry. Edges get exterior-grade adhesive, or corrosion-resistant staples where the boards are uneven. Treat that as a seller's advice and ask the installer how the wood will stay dry.
Turf in Screened Lanais
A lanai floor is a slab under a roof or screen, so the concrete-slab method applies. Rain blowing through the screen still has to drain. Water that sits under glued turf has nowhere to go. Keep the turf back from the drain or the low edge of the slab, or ask for a backing that lets water through to it.
Small Patio Pet Patches
A few square feet of turf by the back door gives a dog somewhere to go without a trip to the yard. On concrete, urine can't soak into soil, so it has to rinse off the slab. Put the patch near a hose and the patio's drain. For backing and odor choices, see artificial grass for dogs.
Why Pompano Beach homeowners call Pompano Beach Turf
- Free, no-obligation estimates
- Square footage, turf and price on paper before anyone digs
- Your request goes to one installer, not a call list
- No fee to you for the introduction
Patio Turf Cost and Timeline
Patio turf costs more per square foot than a lawn but covers far fewer feet. The figures:
Installed
$9 to $12 per square foot for patios and decks in Fixr's table.Turf only
about $200 to $800 for a 100 sq ft patio, per Angi.Padding
$2.50 to $3 per square foot (Fixr).Labor
LawnStarter puts installation labor at $3.45 to $12 per square foot and says decks and patios are charged more than lawns. Angi lists concrete surfaces among the jobs priced above a typical backyard.
With no digging, most of the time goes into cutting and gluing. Then comes the wait for the glue: Angi's install guide says some turf adhesives need 24 hours before you walk on them. Ask the city whether your slab job needs a building permit too, since Pompano Beach requires one for synthetic turf (permit paperwork).
What to Check Before Turfing a Patio
Slope
Angi's paver guide uses a fall of 1 inch every 48 inches. If water already pools on the slab, turf won't fix it. Drilled drain holes might.Door thresholds
Turf plus a pad adds height. Measure the gap under sliding doors before choosing pile height.Condos
On a condo balcony or shared patio, the association's rules come first (balcony and rooftop turf).