By the HMNDP Editorial Team, independent reporting on lawn care, landscaping, water, and the green-industry business.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Astro turf for sale: what it costs and where to buy it
Astro turf for sale runs roughly $2 to $15 per square foot for the material alone, depending on grade. Budget rolls sit at $2 to $4, mid-range landscape turf at $4 to $8, and premium turf at $8 to $15. You can buy it from big-box stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s), specialty suppliers, and overstock or used-turf dealers selling at 50% to 75% off.
The word “astro turf” is doing a lot of work here. Some buyers mean the AstroTurf brand, some mean any artificial grass for a lawn, and some mean the harder sports surface under a football field. Those are three different products at three different price points. This guide separates them, gives real numbers, and flags the traps in the cheapest listings.
Where to buy astro turf for sale (8 sources compared)
You can buy astro turf at big-box retailers, online turf specialists, flooring stores, and overstock or used-turf dealers. Big-box stores win on convenience and returns. Specialists win on grade selection and per-roll pricing. Overstock sellers win on price but trade away warranty and returns. Match the source to your project size and risk tolerance.
| Source | Best for | Typical price ($/sq ft) | Fulfillment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Depot | Small DIY projects, fast pickup | $2-$8 | In-store pickup, ship-to-home, free shipping over threshold |
| Lowe’s | Rolls and tiles, in-stock browsing | $2-$8 | In-store pickup, delivery |
| SYNLawn / SynLawn dealers | Premium landscape and pet turf | $7-$15 | Dealer install or freight |
| Artificial Grass Liquidators / Wholesale | Mid-range rolls by the foot | $2.50-$6 | Local pickup, freight |
| On Deck Sports | Athletic, batting cage, gym turf | $3-$10 | Freight shipping |
| repurposedMATERIALS | Used/reclaimed turf, large lots | $0.25-$2 | You haul or arrange freight, as-is |
| Amazon | Tiles, mats, small play-area rolls | $2-$6 | Free shipping (Prime), easy returns |
| Local flooring/landscape suppliers | Custom widths, in-person samples | $3-$9 | Pickup or local delivery |
Prices are material only and vary by region, roll width, and 2026 stock levels. Always confirm whether a quote includes the backing, the cut width, and freight before comparing two sellers.
Astro turf vs artificial grass vs AstroTurf (the trademark): what you are actually buying
“AstroTurf” is a registered brand, first installed in the Houston Astrodome in 1966. “Astro turf” lowercase is how shoppers loosely say “artificial turf.” “Artificial grass” usually means soft landscape turf for a yard. Sports or athletic turf is a denser, often shorter-pile surface built for cleats and ball roll. Same family, different products.
- AstroTurf (brand): a specific manufacturer of athletic and landscape turf systems. Buying “AstroTurf” means buying that company’s product, not generic grass.
- Artificial grass / landscape turf: taller, softer blades (1.25 to 2 inch pile) designed to look like a lawn. This is what most homeowners want.
- Sports / athletic turf: shorter, denser pile (often 0.5 to 1.5 inch) tuned for traction and durability, used on fields and in batting cages.
If a listing says “astro turf” but shows a lush green lawn, you are looking at landscape artificial grass. If it shows a field with yard lines, it is sports turf. Read the pile height and face weight, not the headline.
How much does it cost to turf a backyard? (real total budgets)
Turfing a backyard typically costs $5 to $20 per square foot installed, or $3 to $8 per square foot if you DIY. A 500 sq ft backyard runs about $1,500 to $4,000 DIY (material, base, infill, tape) and $2,500 to $10,000 with a professional crew. Material alone is usually 30% to 50% of an installed price.
| Project | Area | DIY total (material + base + infill) | Installed total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patio / balcony | 100 sq ft | $300-$800 | $600-$2,000 |
| Play area | 250 sq ft | $750-$2,000 | $1,500-$5,000 |
| Small backyard | 500 sq ft | $1,500-$4,000 | $2,500-$10,000 |
| Full lawn | 1,000 sq ft | $3,000-$8,000 | $5,000-$20,000 |
The base layer (crushed rock and decomposed granite) and infill (silica sand or rubber) are the costs buyers forget. Base materials often add $1 to $3 per square foot. If you are weighing turf against a living lawn for water savings, see our artificial grass cost and care guide for the long-run math.
Turf in rolls vs tiles vs pads: which format fits your project
Astro turf sells in three formats. Rolls (commonly 6 ft, 12 ft, or 15 ft wide) suit lawns and large areas. Interlocking tiles or pads (often 1 ft to 2 ft squares) suit patios, balconies, and renters who want no-glue installs. Pre-cut mats suit doormats, pet spots, and small play zones. Format drives both seam count and waste.
- Rolls: fewest seams over a large area, sold by the linear foot off a wide roll. Best value per square foot for lawns and backyards.
- Tiles / pads: snap together, removable, good on hard flat surfaces like a deck or patio. More seams, higher cost per square foot.
- Mats: ready-made small pieces (3 ft by 5 ft and up) for pet areas, entryways, and play mats. Highest cost per square foot but zero cutting.
Indoor vs outdoor turf: pick for UV and drainage
Outdoor turf needs UV-stabilized blades and a perforated backing that drains. Indoor turf (gyms, basements, putting setups) can skip heavy drainage but should be low-pile for stable footing. Installing indoor-grade turf outside leads to fading and pooling water within a season or two. Confirm “UV stabilized” and “permeable backing” before buying for a yard.
For pet areas and play zones, look for antimicrobial backing and fast drainage rated in inches per hour. Outdoor turf in full sun should carry a UV warranty, commonly 8 to 15 years on mid and premium grades.
The buying framework competitors skip: why one roll costs 3x another
Four specs explain almost all the price gap between a $2 and a $12 roll: face weight, pile height, blade material, and infill needs. Cheap turf has low face weight and thin blades that mat down. Premium turf has high face weight, a realistic blade shape, and a strong backing. Read these four numbers and you can judge value, not just price.
| Spec | What it means | Budget | Mid | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face weight | Ounces of yarn per sq yd. Higher = denser, more durable. | 30-45 oz | 50-70 oz | 75-100+ oz |
| Pile height | Blade length. Shorter wears better; taller looks lush. | 0.75-1 in | 1.25-1.75 in | 1.75-2.25 in |
| Blade material | Polyethylene (soft, lawns), polypropylene (cheap, thatch), nylon (toughest, sports/pets) | Polypropylene | Polyethylene | PE + nylon thatch |
| Infill need | Sand/rubber that keeps blades upright | High (or it flattens) | Moderate | Low to moderate |
Rule of thumb: a high-traffic lawn or pet area wants 60+ oz face weight and a nylon thatch. A low-traffic display strip can get away with 40 oz. Pile height is cosmetic past a point; very tall pile flattens under foot traffic without enough infill.
Is cheap or used artificial turf worth buying? (the honest trade-offs)
Used and overstock turf can save 50% to 75%, but the savings come with real trade-offs that sellers rarely spell out. Used turf is sold as-is, with no warranty, no returns, and often unknown wear, infill residue, and seam gaps. For a budget play area or dog run it can be excellent value. For a front lawn you want to look new, it is a gamble.
Reclaimed sports turf from companies like repurposedMATERIALS comes off old fields in large rolls. It is heavy nylon, very durable, and cheap (sometimes under $1 per square foot), but it may carry painted yard lines, glued seams, and ground-in rubber infill. You haul it and you eat any defects.
| Risk | New turf | Overstock (first quality, surplus) | Used / reclaimed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 8-15 yr typical | Sometimes none | None |
| Returns | Usually allowed | Often final sale | As-is, no returns |
| Condition | New, uniform | New but odd lots/widths | Worn, possible lines/seams |
| Price vs new | Baseline | 20-40% off | 50-75%+ off |
If you buy used or overstock, ask for the face weight, the roll width, photos of seams and wear, and the total square footage in the lot. Buy 10% extra to cover defects you only find after delivery. Vet any installer you hire the same way you would vet any contractor, using our checklist on how to find a reputable landscaper.
Low-water benefit and where turf is regulated
Artificial turf uses essentially zero irrigation water after install, which is the main reason drought-region buyers choose it. A 1,000 sq ft lawn can use tens of thousands of gallons a year as living grass; turf drops that to occasional rinse water. Some cities restrict or even ban front-yard turf, so check local rules first.
Rules change fast in 2026. Before you buy, confirm your city or HOA allows artificial turf in your specific yard location. Our 2026 US turf and water-use restriction tracker covers the latest state and municipal positions, and our landscaping learn hub has install and maintenance guides.
How to install astro turf yourself and what extras to buy
DIY astro turf install is a weekend job for a small area. Beyond the turf itself, budget for base rock, sand, seam tape and glue, nails or staples, and a stiff broom. Skipping the base or infill is the most common DIY mistake and the reason cheap turf flattens early. Plan the full materials list before you order.
- Clear and grade: remove sod, dig down 3 to 4 inches, slope for drainage.
- Lay base: add 2 to 3 inches of crushed rock, then decomposed granite, compact and level.
- Add weed barrier: roll fabric over the compacted base.
- Position turf: let it sit and relax for 1 to 2 hours, align blade direction the same way on all pieces.
- Seam: join pieces with seam tape and outdoor turf glue, blades facing the same direction to hide the joint.
- Secure edges: nail or staple every 4 to 6 inches around the perimeter.
- Infill and brush: spread silica sand (and rubber for pet/sport areas), then power-broom blades upright.
Extras typically add $1 to $3 per square foot. For a 500 sq ft yard that is $500 to $1,500 on base and infill alone, which is why the “material only” price never tells the whole story.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does astro turf cost per square foot or per roll?
Astro turf costs about $2 to $15 per square foot for the material. Budget grade is $2 to $4, mid-range is $4 to $8, and premium is $8 to $15. A 12 ft by 15 ft roll (180 sq ft) therefore runs roughly $360 to $2,700. Used or overstock turf can drop under $2 per square foot but is sold as-is with no warranty.
Where can I buy astro turf for sale near me?
You can buy astro turf at Home Depot and Lowe’s for small projects with in-store pickup, at local flooring and landscape suppliers for custom widths, and from online specialists like SYNLawn, On Deck Sports, and artificial grass wholesalers for rolls by the foot. For the cheapest reclaimed turf, check repurposedMATERIALS, sold as-is in large lots.
What is the difference between astro turf, artificial grass, and AstroTurf?
AstroTurf is a specific brand, dating to the 1966 Astrodome. “Astro turf” lowercase is loose shorthand for any artificial turf. “Artificial grass” usually means soft, taller landscape turf for lawns. Sports or athletic turf is denser and shorter for traction. Most homeowners shopping “astro turf” actually want landscape artificial grass, not the trademarked sports product.
Is cheap or used artificial turf worth buying?
Cheap used or overstock turf can save 50% to 75% and works well for dog runs, play areas, and sheds. The trade-off is real: it is sold as-is with no warranty, no returns, and possible wear, seam gaps, or painted yard lines. For a front lawn you want looking new, buy first-quality. For utility areas, used turf is strong value.
How much does it cost to turf a backyard?
Turfing a backyard costs about $5 to $20 per square foot installed, or $3 to $8 per square foot doing it yourself. A 500 sq ft backyard runs roughly $1,500 to $4,000 DIY and $2,500 to $10,000 with a crew. Base rock and infill, often $1 to $3 per square foot, are costs many buyers overlook.
What pile height and face weight should I choose for my use case?
For a realistic lawn, choose 1.25 to 1.75 inch pile and 50 to 70 oz face weight. For pet areas and high traffic, prioritize 60+ oz face weight with a nylon thatch over tall pile. For putting greens or sports, pick short 0.5 to 1 inch pile. Taller pile looks lush but flattens without enough infill.
Can I buy astro turf in rolls at Home Depot or Lowe’s?
Yes. Both Home Depot and Lowe’s sell artificial turf in rolls, common widths around 6 ft to 15 ft, plus tiles and small mats. Pricing typically runs $2 to $8 per square foot. You can order online with free shipping over a threshold or use in-store pickup. Specialty suppliers carry a wider grade range and custom cut widths.
How do I install astro turf myself, and what extras do I need to buy?
DIY install means grading and excavating 3 to 4 inches, laying and compacting crushed rock and decomposed granite, adding weed fabric, positioning and seaming the turf with tape and glue, securing edges with nails, then spreading silica sand infill and brushing blades upright. Budget extras (base, infill, tape, glue, nails) at roughly $1 to $3 per square foot.