Does Artificial Turf Get Hot? 6 Ways to Keep It Cool
Yes, artificial turf gets significantly hotter than natural grass in direct sunlight. Surface temperatures can reach 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit on a summer afternoon. But that does not mean you have to live with a scorching yard. Here are the facts and 6 ways to keep your turf cool.
How Hot Does Artificial Turf Actually Get?
On a 90-degree day in direct sunlight, artificial turf surface temperatures typically range from 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. In desert climates like Phoenix and Las Vegas, where summer air temperatures regularly exceed 110 degrees, turf can push past 160 degrees during peak afternoon hours.
For context, natural grass under the same conditions stays between 75 and 90 degrees. That is a 40 to 60 degree difference on the same day.
The good news: turf cools rapidly. Unlike concrete or asphalt, which retain heat for hours after sunset, turf surface temperatures begin dropping as soon as the sun moves or shade appears. And with the right cooling strategies, you can reduce peak temperatures significantly.
Why Artificial Turf Gets Hotter Than Natural Grass
Natural grass stays cool through a process called evapotranspiration. Water moves from the soil through the grass blades and evaporates, creating a natural cooling effect similar to how sweating cools your skin.
Artificial turf cannot do this. It is made from synthetic polymers, typically polyethylene or polypropylene, which absorb and retain solar radiation rather than releasing it through moisture. The infill material between turf fibers also plays a role. Black crumb rubber infill, commonly used in older installations and sports fields, absorbs significantly more heat than lighter-colored sand or zeolite infills.
The darker the turf and infill, the more heat it absorbs. This is basic physics: dark surfaces absorb more solar radiation than light ones.
Surface Temperature Comparison
Here is how artificial turf compares to other common backyard surfaces on a 95-degree day in direct sunlight:
| Surface | Typical Temperature |
|---|---|
| Natural Grass | 75 - 90°F |
| Wood Deck | 110 - 130°F |
| Artificial Turf (light infill) | 110 - 140°F |
| Artificial Turf (rubber infill) | 130 - 160°F |
| Concrete / Pavers | 125 - 150°F |
| Asphalt | 140 - 170°F |
Artificial turf with light-colored infill is comparable to a wood deck and significantly cooler than concrete or asphalt. It is hotter than natural grass, but cooler than several other common hardscape surfaces.
6 Ways to Cool Down Artificial Turf
1. Spray It with Water
The fastest and easiest method. A quick spray with a garden hose can drop surface temperatures by 40 to 50 degrees within seconds. The cooling effect lasts 30 to 60 minutes depending on sun intensity. Set up a sprinkler on a timer during peak afternoon hours (2 PM to 5 PM) for hands-free cooling. This works especially well in dry climates like Scottsdale and Henderson.
2. Install Shade Structures
Shade sails, pergolas, umbrellas, or awnings over high-use areas prevent direct sunlight from hitting the turf. Shaded turf stays 20 to 30 degrees cooler than exposed turf. Even partial shade from strategically planted trees makes a significant difference. This is the most effective long-term solution for hot climates.
3. Choose Light-Colored Turf
If you are installing new turf or replacing old turf, choose lighter green shades. Olive green and spring green varieties reflect more sunlight and can stay 10 to 20 degrees cooler than dark forest green options. Some manufacturers offer turf with built-in UV-reflective technology.
4. Use Cooling Infill
Replace dark crumb rubber infill with cooling alternatives. HydroChill and T°Cool are specialized infills that absorb water and release it slowly through evaporation, creating a natural cooling effect similar to real grass. Light-colored silica sand and zeolite (ZeoFill) also stay significantly cooler than rubber. Ask about infill replenishment to upgrade your existing infill.
5. Keep Turf Clean and Brushed
Dirty, matted turf retains more heat than clean, upright turf. Debris on the surface absorbs additional heat, and compacted infill reduces airflow. Regular professional turf cleaning and brushing keeps fibers upright and infill loose, allowing better airflow and heat dissipation.
6. Plan Activity Around Peak Heat
The simplest strategy is to avoid barefoot use during peak sun hours, typically 12 PM to 4 PM in summer. Morning and evening turf temperatures are dramatically cooler. If your kids or pets use the turf during afternoon hours, spray it with water first or ensure they wear shoes.
Keep Your Turf Cool and Clean
Professional cleaning and infill upgrades can reduce heat retention and extend the life of your turf.
Get a Free QuoteHow Heat Affects Turf Maintenance
High temperatures do not just affect comfort. They also impact maintenance needs:
- Odors intensify. Heat accelerates bacterial growth and ammonia production from pet waste. If your turf smells worse in summer, this is why. Regular sanitizing and deodorizing becomes more important during warm months.
- Infill settles faster. Thermal expansion and contraction of turf materials causes infill to shift and compact more quickly in extreme heat. Check infill levels more frequently in summer.
- UV degradation. Prolonged intense sun exposure can gradually fade turf color over years. Quality turf includes UV stabilizers, but regular cleaning removes surface contaminants that can accelerate UV damage.
- Weeds grow faster. Warm temperatures promote weed growth along edges, seams, and drainage holes. Inspect for weeds more often during growing season.
For homeowners in hot climates, professional maintenance during summer months pays for itself by preventing the compounding problems that heat creates. Check our complete maintenance guide for a seasonal schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot does artificial turf get in direct sunlight?
Artificial turf can reach surface temperatures of 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit in direct sunlight during summer months. In desert climates like Phoenix and Las Vegas, temperatures at the higher end of that range are common on peak summer afternoons. By comparison, natural grass typically stays between 75 and 90 degrees under the same conditions.
Can artificial turf burn your feet?
Yes, artificial turf that has been in direct sunlight for several hours can be hot enough to cause discomfort or minor burns on bare feet, especially for children and pets who are more sensitive to heat. This is why cooling strategies like shade structures, water misting, and proper infill selection are important for turf installations in hot climates.
Does artificial turf get hotter than concrete?
Artificial turf and concrete reach similar peak temperatures in direct sunlight, both significantly hotter than natural grass. However, turf cools down faster than concrete once shade or water is applied. Concrete retains heat longer due to its thermal mass, while turf surface temperatures can drop 40 to 50 degrees within minutes of being sprayed with water.
What color artificial turf stays coolest?
Lighter-colored turf stays significantly cooler than darker shades. Olive green and lime green varieties reflect more sunlight and stay 10 to 20 degrees cooler than dark forest green turf under identical conditions. Some manufacturers now offer turf with built-in heat-reflective technology that reduces surface temperatures regardless of color.
Does watering artificial turf cool it down?
Yes, water is the fastest way to cool artificial turf. A light spray with a garden hose can reduce surface temperatures by 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit almost instantly. The cooling effect lasts 30 minutes to an hour depending on ambient temperature and sun exposure. Using a sprinkler system on a timer during peak afternoon hours is an effective hands-free solution.
The Bottom Line
Artificial turf does get hot in direct sunlight, there is no way around it. But with the right strategies, you can reduce peak temperatures by 30 to 50 degrees and keep your turf comfortable for kids, pets, and bare feet.
The combination of shade, water, and proper infill makes the biggest difference. And for homeowners in hot-weather states like Arizona, Nevada, and Florida, staying on top of summer maintenance prevents heat from creating bigger problems down the road.
