Does Artificial Turf Get Hot in Texas? What Helps—and What Does Not

What the research measured

• Penn State, 2015. On a mostly sunny day with air temperatures of 70 to 76°F, unirrigated synthetic turf peaked at 155.7°F. Natural grass peaked at 95.4°F.
• Brigham Young University. Averaged from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., synthetic turf was about 117°F and natural turf was 78°F. The hottest reading was 200°F on a 98°F day.
• Sun matters more than air temperature. The Penn State report notes that a clear, sunny 80°F day often produces higher surface temperatures than a hazy, humid day with hotter air.

One caution on these numbers: the studies were done on sports fields with rubber infill. We have not found an independent study that measured backyard landscape turf, so treat them as a guide to how turf behaves in sun, not an exact reading for your yard.

What works

• Shade. In the BYU study, shaded artificial turf averaged 75.9°F while the air was 81.4°F. Shade is the biggest single factor.
• A rinse before use. In the Penn State test, watering dropped the surface from 122 to 133°F down to about 77 to 79°F right away. It climbed back above 120°F in about an hour and fifteen minutes, so rinse shortly before people or pets go out.
• Timing. Mornings and evenings are far cooler than mid-afternoon.

What helps only a little

Penn State tested 11 combinations of fiber and infill in 2012. The differences between them were 12°F or less, and the researchers concluded that no product in the study produced a substantial reduction in surface temperature.

Our published lawn packages include a cooling infill, which is designed to help the turf feel cooler underfoot on hot days. Treat any infill as a help, not a fix.

Shade and water do most of the work.

Planning a Houston yard around heat

• Put turf where it gets afternoon shade, or add shade with a pergola, a shade sail or trees.
• Keep a hose bib within reach of the turf for a quick rinse.
• On summer afternoons, check the surface with your hand before bare feet or paws go on it. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that dark surfaces in intense sun have caused burns on bare skin.
• Tell us about large windows that face the yard. Sunlight reflected off energy-efficient windows can damage turf, and some manufacturer warranties exclude that damage.