What is the Best Base to Put Under Artificial Grass?
Updated: 5 days ago
Author: Danny Delahoz, DelaTurf - Owner/CEO
The best base for artificial grass is typically a properly compacted crushed aggregate that creates a stable surface while still allowing water to drain.
For homeowners in Florida, that drainage component matters just as much as stability. Heavy rain, sandy soil and changing yard conditions can quickly expose problems underneath artificial turf if the base is not prepared correctly.
A successful artificial turf installation does not start with the turf itself. It starts with what is underneath it.
Installing artificial grass is a fantastic way to achieve a lush, green lawn with minimal maintenance. However, the success of your artificial turf installation largely depends on the base you choose. At DelaTurf, we specialize in creating beautiful, durable artificial grass installations in Central Florida. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you determine the best base for your artificial grass.
The Grass is ALWAYS Greener with DelaTurf
What Goes Under Artificial Grass?
Artificial grass is usually installed over several prepared layers rather than directly on top of existing soil.
A typical installation may include:
Compacted native soil or subgrade
Crushed aggregate or similar base material
Proper grading for drainage
Weed barrier when appropriate
Artificial turf
Infill material
Each layer plays a different role in keeping the finished surface stable, level and functional.
What Is the Best Base Material for Artificial Grass?
For many residential installations, crushed aggregate is one of the most practical base materials.
The material can be compacted tightly enough to support the turf while still allowing water to move through the installation.
Depending on the project, installers may use materials such as crushed stone, road base or other compactable aggregates.
The correct option depends on several factors, including:
Existing soil conditions
Drainage
Intended use
Turf type
Surrounding pavers or hardscape
Whether the area will be used by pets
Whether the installation includes a putting green
There is no single base specification that works for every property.
How Deep Should the Base Under Artificial Turf Be?
Artificial turf installations commonly require several inches of excavation and prepared base material, but the exact depth depends on the property.
An installer needs to account for the existing grade, drainage conditions and the final height of the turf.
This is especially important when artificial grass connects to:
Pool decks
Driveways
Patios
Pavers
Walkways
Landscape edging
If the base is too high or too low, the finished turf can create awkward transitions or drainage problems.
Why Drainage Matters in Florida
In Central Florida, drainage is one of the most important parts of artificial turf installation.
Summer storms can put a large amount of water on a yard in a short period of time. Even high-quality turf cannot fix an improperly graded or poorly prepared base underneath it.
A good base should help water move away instead of allowing it to collect underneath the turf.
Poor drainage can contribute to:
Standing water
Soft areas
Uneven turf
Odor problems in pet areas
Movement underneath the installation
Low spots that develop over time
This is why professional turf installation should begin with an evaluation of how water currently moves across the property.
Is Sand a Good Base for Artificial Grass?
Sand can be used as part of certain artificial turf systems, but it generally should not be treated as a substitute for a properly prepared structural base.
Loose sand can shift and may not provide the same long-term stability as compacted aggregate.
It is also important to distinguish between sand used underneath turf and sand used as infill on top of the turf.
Infill serves a different purpose. It can help support the turf fibers, provide ballast and contribute to the finished feel of the surface.
What Is the Best Base for Pet Turf?
Pet turf requires many of the same base considerations as standard artificial grass, but drainage becomes even more important.
A pet-friendly installation should allow liquids to move through the turf and away from the surface efficiently.
The base should also remain stable under regular foot traffic and pet activity.
For pet areas, installers may also consider:
Drainage performance
Turf permeability
Infill selection
Odor management
Cleaning access
The turf itself is only one part of the system.
What Is the Best Base for an Artificial Putting Green?
Putting greens require much tighter control over the base.
Small imperfections that may not be noticeable in ordinary landscape turf can affect how a golf ball rolls.
A putting green base needs to be:
Firm
Properly compacted
Smooth
Carefully graded
Shaped intentionally
The base can also be used to create breaks, slopes and contours within the green.
This is one reason artificial putting greens should not be installed exactly like ordinary backyard turf.
Can Artificial Grass Be Installed Over Concrete?
Yes, artificial turf can sometimes be installed over concrete.
This is common around patios, balconies and certain pool areas.
However, the installer still needs to evaluate:
Drainage
Surface condition
Attachment method
Transitions
Finished height
Cushioning requirements
Existing concrete can provide a stable surface, but water still needs somewhere to go.
Can Artificial Grass Be Installed Directly on Dirt?
Artificial grass should generally not be installed directly over untreated soil.
Soil can move, settle and retain water. Over time, that movement can create dips or uneven sections in the turf.
Removing existing grass and preparing a compacted base gives the turf a much more stable foundation.
Common Artificial Turf Base Mistakes
Many artificial turf problems begin underneath the visible surface.
Common base-related mistakes include:
Not Excavating Enough
Insufficient excavation can leave the turf sitting too high or reduce the amount of stable base material available.
Poor Compaction
A base that is not properly compacted can settle after installation.
Ignoring Drainage
Water should be considered before turf is installed, not after a drainage problem appears.
Installing Over Organic Material
Roots, grass and other organic material can decompose or shift underneath the turf.
Incorrect Grading
A yard that looks flat is not always draining correctly. Small elevation changes can have a major impact during heavy rainfall.
The Base Matters as Much as the Turf
Homeowners often spend most of their time comparing turf products, blade shapes and colors.
Those things matter, but the finished installation is heavily influenced by what happens underneath the turf.
A properly prepared base helps artificial grass stay:
Level
Stable
Draining correctly
Comfortable to walk on
Better looking over time
Artificial Turf Installation in Central Florida
Every property is different.
Soil conditions, drainage, landscaping and the intended use of the yard should all influence how an artificial turf base is prepared.
DelaTurf installs artificial grass throughout Central Florida and evaluates the full installation area before determining how the surface should be excavated, graded and prepared. Whether you are planning a backyard turf installation, pet area, putting green or turf-and-paver project, the foundation should be designed around the property rather than a one-size-fits-all installation method.
If you are considering artificial grass for your property, contact DelaTurf to discuss the space and determine what type of installation makes sense for your yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best material to put under artificial grass?
A compactable crushed aggregate is commonly used because it provides stability while helping water move through the installation. The exact material depends on the property and turf system.
How many inches of base do you need for artificial turf?
The required depth varies by project. Soil conditions, drainage, surrounding hardscape and intended use all affect how much excavation and base preparation are needed.
Can you use sand as a base for artificial grass?
Sand may be used in some turf systems, but loose sand alone is generally not a replacement for a properly compacted structural base.
Do you need drainage under artificial turf?
Yes. Proper drainage is especially important in Florida, where heavy rainfall can expose grading or base-preparation problems quickly.
Can artificial turf be installed over existing grass?
Existing grass and organic material are generally removed before the base is prepared. Installing directly over grass can lead to movement, settling and an uneven finished surface.
Looking to Make the Switch to Turf?
DelaTurf services the following areas:
Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, Osceola County, Volusia County, and Broward County. Our team commonly operates in Metro West, Doctor Phillips, Windermere, Kissimmee, Winter Garden, Gotha, Oviedo, Oakland, Apopka, College Park, Winter Park, Sorrento, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Lake Mary, Heathrow, & Sanford.
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