Top New Lawn Installation (Sod & Turf) in Glenview, Illinois Ranked

A lush, green lawn is a cornerstone of a beautiful Glenview home, but establishing one from scratch requires careful planning and execution. New lawn installation, whether with natural sod or synthetic turf, is a significant landscaping project that transforms bare or tired ground into a vibrant, usable outdoor space. This guide explains the key considerations, processes, and costs for sod and turf installation in Glenview, helping you understand your options and connect with local professionals who can bring your vision to life.

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc

chicago

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc is a family-owned landscaping company based in Elmhurst, Illinois, serving Chicago and surrounding towns. Since 1975, they have offered comprehensive landscaping services including landscape design, installation, grounds maintenance, lawn care, sod installation, drainage solutions, and hardscaping such as retaining walls and brick paving. Their expertise includes digital landscape design layouts to help clients visualize projects before installation, as well as specialized drainage solutions like dry wells to manage water issues effectively. The company focuses on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living spaces that enhance property value.

5.0

157 Reviews

Arts Landscaping & Maintenance LLC

3146 W 59th St, Chicago, IL 60629

Arts Landscaping & Maintenance LLC is a locally owned landscaping and lawn care company based in Chicago, IL. They provide a wide range of outdoor services including lawn mowing, fertilization, weed control, sod installation, tree trimming and removal, stump grinding, yard drainage, grading, and hardscaping such as retaining walls and concrete pathways. The company serves both residential and commercial clients throughout Chicago, tailoring their services to the local climate and seasonal needs. Their capabilities include lawn aeration, overseeding, and comprehensive landscape maintenance to ensure healthy, vibrant outdoor spaces year-round.

4.9

117 Reviews

Luxterra Outdoors

chicago

Luxterra Outdoors is a landscaping company based in Chicago, IL, specializing in landscape design, sod and artificial turf installation, fence installation, yard drainage, sprinkler systems, and hardscaping including pavers and retaining walls. They focus on residential projects, offering sustainable and low-maintenance outdoor spaces tailored to Chicago's unique climate and lot sizes. Their services include managing permits for features like retaining walls and grading, and they incorporate capabilities such as smart irrigation systems and durable materials suited for winter weather. Luxterra Outdoors emphasizes thoughtful design for small urban yards, pet-friendly spaces, and historic homes, combining creativity with practical solutions.

5.0

55 Reviews

Natural Innovations Landscaping

238 S Benton St, Palatine, IL 60067

Natural Innovations Landscaping is a family-owned landscape design and hardscape construction company serving Chicago, IL. With over 15 years of experience, they specialize in installing brick paver patios, driveways, walkways, steps, stoops, and retaining walls. They use Computer Aided Design (CAD) to create custom outdoor living spaces and offer services such as paver restoration, drainage and grading solutions, landscape lighting installation, sod installation, and tree and planting bed management. As a Unilock Authorized Contractor, they focus on durable materials and precise installation techniques to enhance property aesthetics and functionality.

5.0

53 Reviews

Dario Garcia Landscaping LLC

5818 S Archer Rd Suite 114-5, Summit, IL 60501

Dario Garcia Landscaping LLC is a family-owned landscaping and snow removal company based in Chicago, IL. They provide a range of services including lawn care, sod installation, artificial turf, landscape design, tree removal, stump grinding, and snow and ice management for both residential and commercial properties. Their snow removal service includes shoveling walkways, plowing parking lots and driveways, and applying de-icer or salt to maintain safe outdoor areas during winter. The company emphasizes customized landscaping solutions and efficient snow removal using GPS-equipped trucks for effective routing.

4.8

502 Reviews

See more providers in Glenview, IL

Understanding Your Lawn Installation Options

When planning a new lawn in Glenview, homeowners typically choose between two primary methods: laying natural sod or installing artificial turf. Each offers distinct advantages and involves different processes, timelines, and long-term commitments. Natural sod provides an instant, living lawn with the authentic look and feel of grass, while synthetic turf offers a consistently green, low-maintenance surface year-round. The right choice depends on your budget, desired maintenance level, and how you intend to use your yard.

Natural Sod: Instant Greenery

Sod installation is the process of laying pre-grown grass rolls onto prepared soil. It's the fastest way to achieve a mature, living lawn.

• Timeline & Process: A sod lawn can be installed in a matter of days once the site is prepared. The process involves laying the rolls over prepared soil, ensuring good soil-to-root contact, and then beginning an immediate and rigorous watering schedule to encourage the roots to establish in your native soil. ^{1 2}
• Cost Considerations: For Glenview homeowners, sod installation typically costs between $2 and $6 per square foot, which includes both materials and professional labor. For a standard 2,000 square foot yard in the Chicago area, this translates to a total project cost ranging from approximately $1,400 to $3,700. ^{1 3} The final price is influenced by the grass variety, the complexity of site preparation, and accessibility.

Artificial Turf: Low-Maintenance Alternative

Synthetic grass installation involves creating a multi-layered base and securing realistic artificial grass on top. It's designed for durability and requires no mowing, watering, or fertilizing.

• Timeline & Process: Artificial turf projects generally take longer than sod due to more extensive base work. The process can take several days to over a week and includes installing a compacted gravel base for drainage, laying the turf, cutting and seaming it to fit the area, and adding an infill material (like sand or rubber) to support the blades and enhance realism. ^{4 5}
• Cost Considerations: The upfront investment for artificial turf is higher. Installation costs in Glenview typically range from $5 to $20 per square foot, with $7 to $15 per square foot being a common range for residential projects. ^{4 6} Site preparation, including excavation and the gravel base, constitutes a significant portion of this cost. For a 2,000 square foot yard, a turf installation can easily exceed $10,000. ^{4 6}

The Critical Foundation: Site Preparation

Regardless of which lawn type you choose, proper site preparation is the most crucial step for long-term success. Skipping or rushing this phase can lead to drainage problems, uneven surfaces, and premature failure of the new lawn.

1. Clear & Grade: The first step is to completely remove existing grass, weeds, roots, and debris. Next, grading shapes the land. It's essential to create a slight slope of 1-2% away from your home's foundation and other structures to ensure proper surface drainage and prevent water pooling. This often requires heavy equipment to move and shape soil. ^{4 5 7}

2. Soil & Base Work: For a sod lawn, the existing soil may need amending with topsoil or compost to provide a fertile bed for the new grass roots. For artificial turf, the soil is replaced with a engineered base, typically consisting of compacted gravel (often called "road base" or Class II road base), which is critical for stability and drainage. ^{5 7 2}

3. Compaction: Finally, the soil (for sod) or gravel base (for turf) must be thoroughly compacted. This creates a stable, firm surface that won't settle unevenly after installation. ^{4 2}

Choosing a Provider in Glenview

Selecting the right professional is key to a successful lawn installation. Glenview has local companies specializing in both natural and synthetic lawns.

• For Sod Installation & Grading: Look for landscapers with proven expertise in soil grading and sod laying. Proper grading is non-negotiable for a healthy natural lawn. Companies like His Workmanship Landscaping offer these specific services in the Glenview area. ⁷
• For Artificial Turf: Seek out installers who specialize in synthetic grass systems, as the installation technique is highly specialized. Providers like NexGen Lawns offer artificial turf services specifically for Glenview residents. ⁸

Getting Quotes: It is highly recommended to obtain multiple, detailed quotes from local Glenview landscapers. A thorough quote should break down costs for site preparation (clearing, grading, base materials), the lawn product itself (sod or turf), installation labor, and any ancillary costs. Be wary of quotes that seem unusually low, as they may not account for the necessary prep work. Site conditions like slope, soil type, and accessibility heavily influence the final project cost and effort. ^{4 6 8 7 2}

Long-Term Care and Considerations

Your responsibilities change dramatically after installation depending on your choice.

• Sod Care: A new sod lawn requires intensive initial care, including deep, frequent watering for the first few weeks to prevent the seams from drying out. After establishment, it transitions to a regular lawn care routine of mowing, seasonal fertilizing, aeration, and overseeding to maintain its health and density.
• Turf Maintenance: Artificial turf requires minimal upkeep. Routine care involves rinsing it off occasionally, brushing the blades to keep them upright, and topping up the infill material every few years. It will not brown in summer or turn to mud in spring, providing a consistently usable surface.

Frequently asked questions

Sources