Top New Lawn Installation (Sod & Turf) in Littleton, Colorado Ranked

Transforming a bare patch of dirt or an old, tired lawn into a lush, green oasis is a major home improvement project. Whether you choose the natural feel of fresh sod or the low-maintenance appeal of artificial turf, a professionally installed new lawn can dramatically enhance your property's curb appeal, usability, and value. This guide is designed to help Littleton homeowners understand the key considerations, processes, and costs involved in sod and turf installation, empowering you to make an informed decision and connect with qualified local professionals for your project.

Grass!365 Denver

5180 Fox St Ste 5, Denver, CO 80216

Grass!365 Denver specializes in artificial turf installation for residential and commercial properties in Denver, CO. They offer a range of synthetic grass solutions including playground surfaces, sports fields, pet turf, and backyard putting greens. With expertise in durable and fast-draining turf systems, they design installations that withstand Denver's seasonal weather and provide low-maintenance, year-round green spaces. Operating since 2008, Grass!365 Denver brings over 25 years of global experience in turf installation combined with local knowledge. The company is locally owned and emphasizes quality craftsmanship and customer communication.

5.0

143 Reviews

Hawkins Brothers Lawn and Sprinkler, Inc.

23700 E Alameda Ave, Aurora, CO 80018

Hawkins Brothers Lawn and Sprinkler, Inc. has been serving Denver, CO, and nearby areas for 29 years. They offer a full range of lawn care services including lawn mowing, sod and artificial turf installation, as well as sprinkler system installation and repair. Their team brings over 60 years of combined experience, focusing on reliable scheduling with one-hour appointment windows to minimize wait times.

4.9

409 Reviews

Birdies Landscape & Lighting

denver

Birdies Landscape & Lighting is a landscaping and outdoor lighting company serving Denver, CO. They provide a wide range of services including landscape design and installation, sod installation, fence installation, hardscaping with paver patios and retaining walls, stump grinding, and professional Christmas light installation. Their hardscaping work is noted for using a thicker, more compacted base to ensure long-term stability. The company has multiple years of experience maintaining and enhancing outdoor spaces for both homes and businesses in the area.

5.0

75 Reviews

My Son’s Landscape Group

679 S Reed Ct, Lakewood, CO 80226

My Son's Landscape Group is a landscaping and fencing company based in Denver, CO. They specialize in landscape design, installation, and maintenance, as well as fence installation, sprinkler system services, artificial turf installation, and hardscaping including pavers and retaining walls. The company focuses on sustainable landscaping practices tailored to Denver's unique flora and offers ongoing landscape maintenance to keep outdoor spaces well-maintained over time.

4.9

144 Reviews

AMK Hardscaping

5515 Harlan St Ste B, Arvada, CO 80002

AMK Hardscaping is a locally owned and operated hardscaping contractor based in Denver, CO. They specialize in brick driveway, patio, and porch paver installation, as well as fire pit construction, retaining walls, artificial turf installation, irrigation systems, and concrete services. Their certified crews handle all aspects of the process, including demolition, excavation, soil compaction, and final finishing. AMK Hardscaping focuses on enhancing outdoor spaces with durable and attractive hardscape features, serving Denver and surrounding cities.

4.9

125 Reviews

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Understanding Your Options: Natural Sod vs. Synthetic Turf

The first and most significant decision you'll make is choosing between a natural grass lawn and a synthetic one. Each has distinct advantages, maintenance profiles, and suitability depending on your lifestyle, budget, and property.

Natural Sod Installation provides an instant, living lawn. Professionally installed sod rolls establish quickly, giving you a mature-looking yard in a matter of weeks. It offers the classic feel, cooling effect, and natural environmental benefits of real grass. However, it requires a consistent commitment to watering, mowing, fertilizing, and seasonal care, especially during Colorado's dry spells and temperature swings.

Artificial Turf Installation, on the other hand, delivers a perpetually green, manicured look with minimal upkeep. Modern synthetic grass is highly realistic in appearance and texture, requiring no mowing, watering, or chemical treatments. It's an excellent solution for challenging areas with poor sun exposure, heavy foot traffic, or for homeowners seeking to significantly reduce their outdoor water usage. The initial investment is higher, but the long-term savings on water and maintenance can be substantial.

Critical Preparation: The Foundation for Success

Regardless of which option you select, proper site preparation is the non-negotiable foundation for a long-lasting, high-quality lawn. Skipping or skimping on prep work is the leading cause of lawn failure, whether natural or synthetic.

For a Sod Lawn: The goal is to create an ideal seedbed for grass roots to penetrate and thrive. This process typically involves:

• Soil Testing & Amending: Colorado's native soils are often clay-heavy and alkaline. A soil test reveals pH and nutrient levels, guiding the addition of amendments like compost or gypsum to create a fertile, well-draining base ¹.
• Grading & Slope: The area must be graded to ensure proper drainage away from your home's foundation. A gentle slope of 1-2% is standard to prevent water pooling ¹.
• Removal & Clearing: Existing grass, weeds, and debris must be completely removed. This may involve sod cutting, tilling, or herbicide application, followed by disposal of the organic material.
• Final Soil Prep: The topsoil is leveled, raked, and lightly compacted to create a smooth, firm surface ready to receive the sod rolls.

For an Artificial Turf Lawn: The preparation focuses on creating a stable, permeable base that will not shift or settle. Key steps include:

• Excavation: Several inches of existing soil are removed to make room for the base materials.
• Weed Barrier: A geotextile fabric is laid down to prevent weeds from growing up through the turf ².
• Compacted Aggregate Base: A layer of crushed rock (often decomposed granite or class II road base) is spread and meticulously compacted in layers. This creates a solid, stable foundation that also allows for excellent drainage ^{1 3}.
• Final Grading: The compacted base is graded to the desired contour and slope, ensuring water will run off effectively.

The Installation Process: What to Expect

A professional installation crew follows a meticulous process to ensure quality. For a typical residential project in Littleton, both sod and turf installations are often completed within 1-2 days by an experienced team ^{1 4 5}.

Sod Installation Day:

1. Delivery & Layout: Fresh sod rolls are delivered and laid out promptly, often on the same day they are cut from the farm. The rolls are staggered in a brick-like pattern to avoid seams lining up.
2. Cutting & Fitting: Sod is trimmed to fit around curves, sprinkler heads, and landscape features.
3. Watering: The new lawn is deeply watered immediately after installation to settle the soil and prevent the roots from drying out. A strict watering schedule is critical for the first few weeks.

Artificial Turf Installation Day:

1. Turf Roll-Out & Seaming: Large rolls of synthetic grass are laid over the prepared base. Seams between rolls are carefully trimmed, joined with specialized seam tape and adhesive, and made virtually invisible.
2. Trimming & Shaping: The turf is cut to fit the exact perimeter of the area.
3. Securing the Edges: The turf is secured around the edges using nails, stakes, or a system like Bend-a-Board edging for a clean, durable finish ³.
4. Infill Application: Silica sand or a specialized rubber infill is brushed deep into the turf fibers. This weighs the turf down, helps the blades stand upright, and provides cushioning ⁶.

Cost Considerations for Littleton Homeowners

Installation costs can vary widely based on the size of your yard, the complexity of site preparation, the materials selected, and the contractor's expertise. Here's a breakdown of what you might expect in the Littleton area.

Natural Sod Costs:

• Sod Materials Only: The grass itself typically ranges from $0.30 to $0.82 per square foot, depending on the variety (e.g., Kentucky Bluegrass blend vs. drought-tolerant Tall Fescue) ^{7 8}.
• Full Professional Installation: Including all site preparation (grading, soil amending, old lawn removal) and labor, the total installed cost generally falls between $2 and $6 per square foot ^{6 9}. A simple installation on already-prepared soil will be at the lower end, while a project requiring significant grading, soil import, or debris removal will reach the higher end.

Artificial Turf Costs:

• Turf Materials: Quality synthetic grass starts around $4 per square foot for the product itself ¹⁰.
• Full Professional Installation: The complete project cost, including excavation, base materials, labor, infill, and edging, typically ranges from $9 to $20 per square foot ^{6 8}. Premium turf products and complex installations with extensive site work will push costs toward the upper limit. For example, a detailed case study of an 800 sq ft Colorado installation with high-end materials totaled approximately $11,000, or about $13.75 per square foot ¹¹.

Timing and Seasonal Planning

Choosing the right time of year for your project can influence its success and longevity.

• Best Time for Sod: In Colorado, the ideal windows are late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October). These periods offer warm soil temperatures that encourage rapid root growth, coupled with milder air temperatures and more reliable moisture, reducing the stress on the new grass ^{1 5}.
• Time for Artificial Turf: Synthetic grass installation is less seasonally dependent. It can be installed year-round, provided the ground isn't frozen, making it a flexible option for planning your landscape renovation.

Your Role as a Homeowner: Preparation and Partnership

A smooth project requires a partnership between you and your installer. Here's how you can prepare:

• Research & Clarify: Understand the basic steps of your chosen installation. Ask detailed questions about the preparation process, materials, and timeline so you can hold your contractor accountable to a clear standard ^{1 12}.
• Design & Material Selection: Work with your provider to select the right type of sod grass or turf product for your specific site conditions (sun/shade, traffic) and aesthetic preferences ⁶.
• Site Access & Coordination: Ensure the crew has clear, unobstructed access to the work area. Move vehicles, patio furniture, and any other obstacles. For sod, be prepared to manage the critical initial watering schedule. For turf, understand the simple maintenance routine, which may involve occasional rinsing ⁴.

Long-Term Care and Maintenance

Caring for Your New Sod Lawn: The first few weeks are critical. You'll need to water deeply and frequently to keep the root zone moist. After establishment, transition to a regular Colorado-friendly lawn care schedule: deep, infrequent watering (adhering to local restrictions), regular mowing at the correct height, and seasonal fertilization and aeration.

Maintaining Your Artificial Turf: Maintenance is minimal but important. Regularly brush the turf to keep the blades upright and redistribute infill. Rinse it occasionally to remove dust and pollen. Promptly remove pet waste and rinse the area. A yearly inspection can ensure the infill level is adequate and the seams remain secure.

Frequently asked questions

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