Does Artificial Grass Get Hot? What Actually Keeps Turf Cooler
It’s one of the first questions we hear in the Inland Empire, and it deserves a straight answer. Yes, artificial grass gets hot in direct summer sun, hotter than living grass. How hot depends on the materials, the sun and what you do about it. Here’s what to expect and what actually helps.
Yes. In full summer sun, turf can get much hotter than the air and hotter than natural grass. Acrylic-coated infill and heat-shedding blade shapes help, but the things that make the biggest difference are shade, timing and a quick rinse before use.
How hot does artificial grass get?
The best-known measurements come from sports fields. At Brigham Young University, a synthetic field averaged 117°F on a June day, while natural grass averaged 78°F and asphalt 110°F (New York State Department of Health fact sheet). Those fields used rubber infill, which holds a lot of heat. A backyard lawn with sand infill isn’t a stadium field, but the lesson is the same: in full sun, turf heats up fast.
Why turf heats up
Living grass stays cool by breathing out water, the way sweat cools skin. Artificial grass doesn’t, so it absorbs the sun’s heat instead. The color, the shape of the blades, the infill and how much direct sun the lawn gets all change how hot it runs.
What we do to keep our installations cooler
- Acrylic-coated sand infill. We enhance every installation with an acrylic-coated sand infill that reflects heat and reduces heat absorption. Many installers still use plain white sand, which doesn’t offer the same benefit.
- Blades designed to shed heat. Our grasses use shaped blade styles designed to dissipate heat more effectively than older synthetic grass blends without heat-dissipating technology.
- No rubber infill. Our lawns are filled with sand, not the crumb rubber used on many sports fields.
Together, the infill and the blade design make our installations noticeably cooler than turf put in with lesser materials. Comfort is part of quality, and we plan every installation around it. Here’s the whole build, top to bottom:
- Round acrylic-coated sandThe top dressing. Rounded grains coated in acrylic reflect heat and help the blades stand up.
- Base infill sand + antimicrobial pet infill optionalInfill sand settles between the blades for weight and support. In pet areas we mix in antimicrobial pet infill.
- Synthetic grassTurf cut, seamed and fitted to your yard, secured at the edges with perimeter tacking and 6-inch perimeter spikes.
- Decomposed granite (DG) toppingA fine finish layer that gives the turf a smooth, even bed.
- Class II road base or aggregateThe structural base the whole installation sits on.
- Woven geo fabricSeparates the base from the soil underneath.
- Pest control wire mesh optionalKeeps gophers and other burrowing pests out.
- SubgradeThe native ground under the installation.
Simple ways to keep a turf lawn comfortable
- Add shade where people and pets play. A tree, a patio cover, an umbrella or a shade sail over part of the lawn changes everything.
- Rinse before you use it. Water cools turf quickly. Penn State research found the cooling fades as the sun warms the surface again, so rinse right before kids or pets head out.
- Play in the morning and evening on the hottest days.
- Use the 7-second test. If you can’t hold the back of your hand on it for seven seconds, it’s too hot for bare feet and paws.
- Watch for window reflections. Some energy-efficient windows focus sunlight onto the lawn. A screen or awning fixes it.
Is it a dealbreaker in the Inland Empire?
For most families, no. Natural lawns here need constant water to survive the same summers, and concrete and pavers get hot too. Plan shade for play areas, keep a hose handy, and turf is comfortable most of the year. If your yard bakes in afternoon sun, tell us at the measure and we’ll talk through turf choices and shade for that spot. Have kids or pets? Read is artificial grass safe for kids and artificial grass for dogs.
Questions about turf and heat
Does lighter-colored turf stay cooler?
Color plays a part, along with blade shape and infill. Bring it up at your free measure and we’ll show you samples side by side in your own sun.
Will artificial grass melt in the sun?
Not from normal sun. Damage comes from concentrated heat: reflections from some windows, fire pits, grills and fireworks.
Is it too hot for my dog?
On the hottest afternoons it can be. Give your dog shade and water, rinse before playtime, and use the 7-second test. More in artificial grass for dogs.
What does artificial grass cost?
Most of our installations land between $8 and $12 per square foot, installed. See what artificial grass costs.
Want to see how turf would handle your yard’s sun? Book a free measure, call 951-251-4124, or text us a photo of your yard.
