When laying turf or synthetic grass, one of the first questions that comes up is “How far will one roll go?”. This is an important consideration when estimating materials for a project. There are a few factors that determine the coverage area for a roll of turf, including the dimensions of the roll itself and the installation method used. Keep reading to get a better understanding of turf roll sizes and how to calculate the total area one roll will cover.
Standard Roll Sizes
Turf rolls come in a variety of widths and lengths. Here are some of the most common sizes:
Widths
– 4 feet
– 6 feet
– 8 feet
– 12 feet
– 15 feet
Lengths
– 25 feet
– 50 feet
– 80 feet
– 100 feet
So a typical roll size might be 4 feet wide by 50 feet long. Larger projects often use 12 or 15 foot wide rolls. The wider the roll, the faster the installation process since fewer seams need to be taped. The most common lengths are 50 feet and 80 feet.
Coverage Area per Roll
To determine the coverage area for a roll, simply multiply the width by the length. Here are some examples for typical roll sizes:
– 4 x 50 = 200 sq ft
– 6 x 50 = 300 sq ft
– 8 x 50 = 400 sq ft
– 12 x 50 = 600 sq ft
– 15 x 50 = 750 sq ft
As you can see, a larger roll size can cover significantly more area. A 15 foot wide, 50 foot long roll will cover 750 square feet.
Factors Affecting Coverage
While the roll size gives you the total dimensions, a few factors affect the actual area covered:
Seam Overlap
Most turf installations require overlapping seams by a few inches. This overlaps the edges to create a more seamless look. If each seam is overlapped by 3 inches during installation, this can reduce the usable width by about 6 inches total.
Pattern Alignment
With synthetic grass, the blades are usually oriented in a particular direction to look realistic. When aligning the pattern across seams, the installer may lose a bit of length per roll. Some turf can be seamless across the width too.
Curved Edges
For yards with curved landscape borders or shapes, less of the roll may be usable. The installer has to cut and fit the turf to the curved edge.
Sub-base Overhang
The sub-base or gravel layer under the turf is often a few inches wider than the turf itself. This allows the turf to overhang the edge slightly. It reduces the usable length by a couple inches on each end.
How to Calculate Coverage
Here is a simple formula to determine the usable coverage area per roll:
1. Start with the total square footage: Width x Length
2. Subtract a few inches from the width for seam overlap. For example, subtract 6 inches for a 3 inch overlap on each side.
3. Subtract a few inches from the length per roll for pattern alignment and overhang. For example, subtract 6 inches.
4. Multiply the usable width and length.
5. For irregular shapes, sketch the area and divide into equal roll widths to estimate how many full rolls will fit.
Let’s see an example calculation:
Roll = 4 x 50 feet = 200 square feet
– Subtract 6 inches from width = 3.5 feet usable
– Subtract 6 inches from length = 49.5 feet usable
3.5 feet x 49.5 feet = 173 square feet usable
For this 4×50 roll, you would get approximately 173 square feet after overlapped seams and length adjustments.
Estimating Rolls Needed
To estimate the number of rolls needed:
1. Measure the total area to be covered in square feet
2. Calculate the usable coverage per roll based on the steps above
3. Divide the total area by the usable area per roll.
4. Round up to the nearest full roll.
Say you need to cover a 500 square foot area. Using 4×50 rolls with 173 sq ft of usable coverage:
500 sq ft total / 173 sq ft per roll = 2.89 rolls
Round up to 3 rolls needed.
Having a few extra rolls on hand is recommended in case of mistakes or damage.
Other Material Needed
In addition to the turf rolls, be sure to account for these extra materials:
– Seaming tape or glue – Used to adhere seams
– Stakes – To secure perimeter and seams
– Extra base material – For repairs or uneven areas
– Adhesive – To glue turf to sub-base as needed
– Seaming fabric – Some installations use fabric strips under seams
Ordering a bit extra of these items ensures you don’t run out. Also have some spares on hand for future repairs.
Cost per Square Foot
Turf is typically priced per square foot based on the roll size. Prices range from about $2.50 per square foot on the low end, up to $8 per square foot for high end synthetic grass.
To determine the cost for a project:
1. Calculate the number of rolls needed
2. Multiply by cost per square foot for that roll size
3. Add cost of additional materials
Here’s an example for a 500 square foot installation:
– 3 rolls of 4×50 turf at $3 per sq ft
– Each roll has 200 sq ft, so 3 rolls = 600 sq ft
– 600 sq ft x $3 per sq ft = $1,800 for turf
– Tape, glue, etc = $200
– Total cost = $2,000
Having the cost per square foot for the rolls you plan to use makes it easy to estimate the budget.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing turf yourself can save on labor costs, but has some downsides:
Benefits of DIY
– Less expensive – Save on labor costs
– More control – Install exactly how you want
– Satisfaction – Of completing your own project
Benefits of Hiring a Pro
– Experienced – They’ve done this many times before
– Better results – Higher quality finished product
– Warranty – Professional work is often warranted
– Time savings – Turf installed much faster than DIY
Tips for DIY
If tackling it as a DIY project, here are some tips:
– Rent tools – Roller, saw, seam iron to get professional results
– Watch tutorials – Understand the full process before starting
– Recruit help – Have extra hands for a large lawn area
– Allow time – Plan for it to take longer than a professional install
Things to Consider
Here are a few other things to consider when calculating turf needed:
Future Expansion
Ordering a couple extra rolls allows for expanding or repairing the turf later.
Excess for Edging
Having leftover scraps can be useful to edge or border other parts of the landscape.
Extra In-fill
Make sure to order enough infill material like sand or rubber for the area size.
Slope and Drainage
Sloped areas or poor drainage may require extra base work, affecting roll layout.
Taking all these factors into account will help you get the right amount of materials for your project and avoid any surprises!
Conclusion
Figuring yardage for a turf project involves more than just the roll dimensions. The usable coverage is reduced by seam overlap, pattern alignment and edging. Measure the area, calculate usable sq ft per roll, then order at least 10% extra to be safe. Working with a professional installer can help determine materials and make sure it’s done right the first time. Use the tips above to estimate how far a roll of turf will go for your lawn or landscaping project.
