Artificial Turf Around Pools in DFW

Artificial turf around a pool stays green all year and keeps grass clippings and mud out of the water. Pool owners in Dallas-Fort Worth tend to ask us the same few questions before they decide, so we answered them here, starting with heat.

Does turf get too hot next to the pool?

It can. In July and August, turf in full afternoon sun gets hot, often hotter than the concrete deck beside it, and you will want shoes on it at 3pm. We would rather tell you that now than have you find out in your first summer.

Three things make the biggest difference:

• Shade. Turf on the side of the pool that gets afternoon shade from the house, a tree or a pergola stays far more comfortable. Before we suggest where turf should go, we look at where the sun sits late in the day.
• Infill and fiber. A lighter-colored infill soaks up less sun than a dark one, and some turf is made with fibers designed to run cooler in direct sun. We bring samples so you can compare them in your own yard.
• Water. A quick rinse with the hose cools the surface right away, and splash from the pool does the same. The water drains straight through.

If one side of your pool bakes all afternoon, we may suggest pavers in that spot and turf where the shade falls.

Will pool water and chlorine hurt the turf?

Normal splash from a chlorine or saltwater pool will not hurt it. The fibers are polyethylene, which holds up to pool water, and the backing has drainage holes so water goes straight down.

Two habits keep it looking right. Rinse the turf with the hose every so often, more often if you have a saltwater pool, so salt and chlorine residue do not build up on the fibers. And mix and store pool chemicals on the deck, not on the turf. If granular shock or acid spills on it, flood the spot with water right away.

How does water drain at the pool edge?

You want splash water to go down and away from the pool, not back into it and not toward the house. Under the turf we build a base of compacted crushed rock, graded so water runs away from the pool and the foundation. Water passes through the turf backing into that base.

At the on-site visit we check which way your yard drains today, where the deck drains and overflow lines go, and how high the coping sits above the soil. The turf should sit just below the coping so water from the deck runs onto the turf instead of pooling at the edge. We cut around deck drains, skimmer lids and the equipment pad so nothing gets covered.

Is turf slippery when it gets wet?

Wet turf has texture under bare feet, so most people find it less slick than smooth wet concrete or tile. It is still a pool deck, so the no-running rule stays.

Around a pool, turf wears first on the path from the back door to the water and under the loungers. Rubber or plastic feet on pool furniture help, and moving loungers now and then keeps dents from setting in. Keep grills, fire pits and hot embers on stone, because heat melts turf. Sunlight reflected off some energy-efficient windows can scorch it too, so we look at the windows that face the pool area during the visit.

How does the turf meet the coping and pavers?

The edge is what makes a pool area look finished. Pool areas usually use one of these:

• Turf to the coping. The turf runs right up to the coping and is secured along the edge. It works well on narrow side strips like the one in the photo at the top of this page.
• A paver or stone border. A band of pavers between the coping and the turf keeps the wettest, busiest strip hard and easy to hose off, and gives loungers a level place to sit.
• Stepping stones through the turf. Pavers set into the turf make a clean path to the pool equipment, a side gate or the back door.

We also install pavers and stone, so the border, the steppers and the turf can be planned and priced together.

How much does turf around a pool cost in DFW?

Turf around a pool costs the same as a backyard, $8 to $13 per square foot installed. That covers the base, the turf, infill, edging and labor. For common pool-area sizes, that works out to:

These are typical ranges worked out from our price per square foot. They are not quotes. Narrow strips with a lot of cuts around coping, steps and drains take more labor per foot than one open area, and a paver border is priced on its own. The DFW turf cost guide breaks down what goes into the price.

How the free on-site quote works

We come out to your house, measure the area and look at the drainage, the shade and how the turf will meet the coping. We bring turf samples so you can feel them in the sun next to your pool. Then you get one all-inclusive price, with no obligation.

Green Forever Turf TX is based in Denton and installs across Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties. We have 19+ years of experience and 2,500+ completed installs, and our turf is backed by a 15-year warranty.

Other questions pool owners ask

Will sand infill end up in the pool?

A little can, mostly in the first few weeks while the infill settles. Your skimmer and filter handle small amounts. Brushing the infill down into the fibers along the coping helps it stay put.

Can my dogs use turf by the pool?

Yes. For dogs we install pet turf with an antimicrobial infill, which runs $10 to $14 per square foot installed. It rinses clean with the same hose you use on the deck.

Can turf go over an existing concrete deck?

Yes. Turf can go over concrete with a drainage layer underneath, so water does not sit on the slab. We do the same on patios and rooftops.