Artificial turf 101: what you are actually buying
Artificial turf is not one product. It is a surface system whose result depends on the turf, infill, base, drainage, edging, installation, and care working together.
The seven parts of a turf system
A useful comparison starts below the visible blades. Ask a contractor to identify each part of the proposed system and the assumption it relies on.
| Component | What it does | What to document |
|---|---|---|
| Turf | Provides the visible surface and affects appearance, feel, resilience, and care. | Exact product/SKU, colour blend, pile, backing, installation limits, and current manufacturer documentation. |
| Infill | Helps support blades and influences feel, weight, and maintenance. | Material, amount, intended use, cleaning guidance, and any supported product claims. |
| Base | Creates a stable, shaped foundation below the surface. | Excavation depth, aggregate, compaction, grading, soil conditions, and exclusions. |
| Drainage | Moves water through or away from the complete site system. | Existing outlets, slope, soil, low points, overflow path, and what happens during heavy rain. |
| Edges | Hold the system in place and define its boundary. | Edge material, transitions to paths or gardens, and how future movement is handled. |
| Installation | Turns the proposed materials into the finished surface. | Scope, access, seams, cleanup, change process, schedule assumptions, and completion records. |
| Care | Maintains appearance and helps owners respond to spills, debris, pets, and seasonal conditions. | Written care guide, cleaning limits, snow/furniture guidance, and who handles future questions. |
What “premium” should mean in a proposal
Words such as “premium,” “high performance,” or “pet friendly” are not a substitute for a product identity and project scope. Ask for the exact product name, current documentation, intended application, and the limitations that matter to your yard. If a claim depends on a test or declaration, ask what product or SKU the evidence covers.
What can change the outcome
- Sun, shade, traffic, furniture, pets, and the way the yard will actually be used.
- Existing soil, slopes, low points, downspouts, neighbouring drainage, and access for excavation.
- Municipal, utility, easement, conservation, or private-property requirements that apply to the proposed scope.
- Routine care, snow handling, repairs, and the written product and workmanship documents.
A better comparison checklist
- Compare complete itemized scopes, not just a turf roll or a price per square foot.
- Review a physical sample and relevant completed-project photos.
- Ask what is assumed, excluded, optional, or subject to a documented change.
- Keep the selected product information, care guide, invoice, completion photos, and applicable warranty documents.
Continue learning
This guide explains a planning framework; it does not certify a product or guarantee a result. For property-specific municipal checks, see the GTA planning guide. For pet-use considerations, see Pet Areas.