Lawns (natural & artificial)

Comprehensive Lawn Installation Services in the Bay Area

At Opulands, we understand the importance of a beautiful, well-maintained lawn. Our comprehensive lawn installation services are designed to create a stunning outdoor space that you can enjoy year-round. From soil prep and demo of your old lawn to full lawn installation, our team handles every aspect of the process with precision and care.

Sod and Natural Lawn Installation

Sod installation is an excellent way to achieve an instant, healthy lawn. Our sod installation service ensures that you get a vibrant, mature lawn without the wait. We source only the highest quality sod, ensuring that your new lawn is free of weeds, diseases, and pests. Our team handles everything from soil preparation and grading to seeding and fertilization. With our meticulous attention to detail, you can rest assured that your new lawn will grow lush and healthy.

Artificial Grass Installation Services

If you’re seeking a low-maintenance alternative to natural grass, our artificial grass installation services are ideal. Artificial grass provides a lush, green appearance year-round without the need for watering, mowing, or fertilizing. It is an excellent option for homeowners looking to save time and resources while still enjoying a beautiful lawn.

It's more than esthetics

Back in the day, a traditional grass lawn was the only option for homeowners who wanted to revamp the landscape design of their property. And even when synthetic lawns came on the scene, homeowners still opted for traditional lawns or sod because they had the edge on beauty, and esthetics was key.

But these days things have changed. Color and texture improvements in artificial grass have provided homeowners with other choices. When installed properly, you may not even notice the difference between a sod and synthetic lawn.

So which should you install? Sod or synthetic?

While a natural lawn makes for a lovely treatment, synthetic lawns are growing in popularity among homeowners, particularly in California’s Bay area which in recent years has faced extreme drought. Saving water is definitely important, but is that the only benefit? What are the benefits of natural sod that you might be missing out on should you choose to go the synthetic route?

Opulands installs both and gets asked these questions frequently. So we’ve put this comparison chart together to help you make the decision that is right for you.

Synthetic LawnVs. Sod

The Pluses of a Synthetic Lawn

They’re maintenance free. We really mean it!

These lawns have come a long way from the old Astro Turf. Though they effectively mimic sod, they are literally waterless. There is no need to water, mow, or fertilize them. When a portion of the grass does get worn out, replacing a patch takes only a short day or two before your landscape is fully operational again. That’s a time, maintenance, and money savings for years to come.

Year-round lush appearance

Your synthetic lawn will maintain its beautiful green color 365 days a year. That’s a real plus. With a natural lawn, the rainy season means muddy footprints. The dry season brings brown, parched lawns.

Less long-term, lifetime cost

Over the lifetime of the lawn, you will save water, maintenance, fertilizer, and lawn equipment costs, offsetting the typically higher installation cost of a synthetic lawn. In fact, a synthetic lawn literally pays for itself in 3-5 years, and can last up to 25 years versus 10 years for a natural lawn.

Better for you if you’re a pet owner

Your dog can play on a nice green lawn without heading inside with mud on their paws. As appealing, pet waste won’t damage or stain artificial grass. Plus, its sturdy construction makes it resistant to digging.

Better for your kids

The consistent surface prevents tripping from hidden irregularities such as divots and holes, particularly when your kids are young. No mud gets tracked into the house and there will be no grass stains on your kids’ clothes. Artificial grass won’t trigger seasonal allergies either.

The Pluses of Sod

A more traditional choice for homeowners

If you prefer the look and feel of a natural lawn, there’s no getting around the fact that you’ll likely prefer the real thing. Many prefer the feel of natural sod beneath their feet, and the smell of a freshly mown lawn.

Cooling effect in heat

Natural lawns have a cooling effect in heat and temperatures above 90 degrees. During the hottest months, synthetic lawns can warm up in high temperatures, though they are built to resist burning.

Less up-front cost

New sod lawn installation typically comes with a lower price per square foot when compared with a synthetic lawn installation which requires excavation and base preparations

There are practical advantages of both natural sod and synthetics, so go ahead. Have both

This is not an either/or decision you have to make. Keep in mind that you can also combine grass types. For example, you may want to include a putting green in your landscape design or add an activity area where your kids can play sports. Those lend themselves well to synthetic lawns, but natural sod can be used everywhere else.

You can even buy synthetic turf types that match your areas of natural grass. No one may even know.

And what about esthetics? Fake doesn't mean it has to look that way

You have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to synthetic grasses. Some lean more towards durability for high-use areas, others lean towards beauty. Yes, we said beauty. Artificial grasses these days are not what they used to be. Manufacturers have come a long way in making them look and feel like the real thing.

What makes artificial grass look real?

1. YARN
   Polyethylene is the most commonly used because of its versatility and balance between durability, aesthetics, and softness. Polypropylene and nylon are more durable and are commonly used in putting greens. They are not as soft which is why they generally aren’t chosen for the areas where you want to lounge. All of them come in a variety of colors, thickness and shapes to mimic real grass.
2. DENSITY
   Think of this like the thread count in sheets. The thicker the density, the more durable and realistic looking.
3. PILE HEIGHT
   Short pile heights are best for athletic fields and high-traffic areas, while taller grass, between 1 1/4″ and 2 1/2″ is best for life-like front lawns.
4. THATCHThatch is additional fiber with varying color, weight and texture that mimics the inconsistencies of natural grass. It even includes brown fibers that replicate the dying underlayer so common in real lawns. Thatch gets your artificial lawn looking very close to the real thing.

Those are the main components of life-like artificial grass. Important too is how it’s installed. Drainage, grading, and infill are critically important to keeping your grass looking beautiful and life-like for years to come.

Opulands proudly serves the entire Bay Area, including San Francisco, Oakland, the Bay Area, and surrounding communities. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the local climate and are committed to delivering lawn and artificial grass installations that enhance the beauty and value of your property.