When you’re considering installing artificial grass — whether you’re a homeowner, landscape contractor, interior designer, or architect — one of the most common questions is: Does artificial grass get hot? The short answer is yes—but the reality is more nuanced. Below, we cover what makes synthetic turf warm, how hot it can get, why it matters, and what you can do about it.
Why Does Artificial Grass Get Hot?
Unlike real grass, which cools itself via evaporation and transpiration (where water is released from leaves and cools the surface), artificial turf lacks that cooling mechanism because it’s made from polymer fibers and synthetic backing materials that absorb and retain solar heat. In practical terms, this means that under direct sunlight, synthetic grass can become warmer than real grass.
In short: yes, artificial grass can get hot—enough to feel uncomfortable to bare feet, pets, or children, depending on exposure, color, finish, and use-case.
Why This Matters
- Comfort & usability: If the turf is extremely warm under bare feet, kids, pets, or adults may avoid using it or even risk discomfort or burns in extreme cases.
- Pet safety: Dogs’ paws are more sensitive; a hot turf surface may become a deterrent for play or cause paw irritation.
- Design & usability of outdoor spaces: When designing patios, play areas, or rooftops with turf, knowing its thermal behavior helps plan for shade, water features, or cooling strategies.
What Affects the Temperature of Artificial Grass?
Several factors influence just how hot artificial grass will become:
- Color & shade: Darker turf absorbs more solar radiation than lighter shades. Lighter green or turf with reflective fibers will remain cooler.
- Material & backing quality: The type of polymer, fiber density, and under-layer affect heat retention and dissipation.
- Infill type: Some infills (especially dark rubber crumbs) can trap more heat than lighter or advanced cooling infills. Dark crumb rubber infills are used mainly on sports fields.
- Surface exposure: Direct sun (especially midday), low wind, and dry conditions lead to higher surface temps.
- Underlying base & drainage: If the turf is installed over a heat-absorbing substrate or poor drainage, it may retain more heat.
- Maintenance and use: Regular cleaning, rinsing, and occasional hosing will help cool the turf and remove debris which may impact heat absorption.
How to Keep Artificial Grass Cooler
If you already have — or plan to install — turf and want it to be as comfortable as possible, here are actionable tips:
- Consider a lighter color turf: As noted earlier, lighter shades of green reflect more light and absorb less heat.
- Provide shade: Use trees, umbrellas, pergolas or shade sails to reduce direct midday sun on the turf surface.
- Rinse with water: A simple rinse or sprinkler use will lower surface temperature quickly.
- Install proper drainage and lighter base materials: Ensuring heat isn’t being trapped under the turf and water can move through will help.
- Schedule usage wisely: If children, pets or high-activity usage is expected, plan for early morning or evening when surface temps are lower.
- Use planters or landscaping elements to break up large unshaded turf areas: Adding vegetation or shade can cool adjacent turf via reduced radiation and increased shading.
When Artificial Grass Might Be a Good Choice Despite Heat
Even with the heat consideration, synthetic grass still offers compelling advantages — especially in hot, drought-prone, or high-maintenance settings:
- No mowing, no watering required (great for drought-sensitive areas).
- Year-round green aesthetic and low to no mud.
- Ideal for pets, children, commercial sites or rooftop installations where natural turf is impractical.
- If installed with careful selection of materials and shading, the comfort factor is highly possible.
FAQ: Artificial Grass & Heat
Will artificial grass always be hotter than real grass?
Generally yes — studies consistently show synthetic turf surfaces have higher surface temperatures than natural grass under similar conditions. However, the exact difference depends on many factors (color, materials, shade, exposure) and with good design the difference can be minimized.
Can I install artificial grass in a hot climate and still be comfortable?
Yes — by considering lighter-colored turf, providing shade, incorporating cooling techniques (like rinsing or sprinkler systems), and choosing infill/fiber materials designed to reduce heat, you can get a comfortable result even in hot climates.
How much does shade or water help reduce the temperature of artificial grass?
Shade significantly reduces solar exposure and surface heating. Water (via hosing or sprinklers) can lower surface temperature.
Note: Artificial grass doesn’t hold or radiate heat the way hard surfaces like cement or pavers do, so it typically stays noticeably cooler—especially in shaded areas.
Should I avoid artificial grass altogether because of the heat?
Not necessarily. If you plan properly—considering shade, usage times, materials and cooling strategies—artificial grass remains a viable low-maintenance solution. The key is understanding the trade-offs and how to design around them.
Are there “cool” artificial grasses that don’t get hot?
Some manufacturers market “cool-grass” or heat-mitigated turf, but the reality is that all synthetic turf will absorb some heat. In our previous blog, we cautioned that claims of “cool grass” should be verified with testing.
Our turf specialists are happy to assist with any other questions you have – please feel free to reach out!