Artificial turf questions, answered

The rebate is for removing grass and converting to an Arizona-friendly landscape. Whether artificial turf counts toward the converted area is a question for Scottsdale Water, and terms change between program years, so verify with the city. Full detail here.

When it last ran, $2 per square foot with a $5,000 residential cap and up to $50,000 for HOA and commercial projects, minimum 500 square feet. It is currently between program years.

No. Removal rebates require a pre-inspection by ordinance, and grass already removed or in the process of being removed is not eligible.

Generally no. ARS section 33-1819 prevents planned community associations from prohibiting artificial turf where natural grass is already permitted, once declarant control has ended. Boards can still set reasonable appearance and installation standards.

Almost certainly, and that is legitimate. Submit a designed package rather than a request for permission. What boards can require.

Most projects run $8 to $15 per square foot. A typical 500 square foot back yard lands between $4,500 and $7,500 before rebate.

Caliche. The hardpan layer makes excavation slower and sometimes requires heavier equipment, so excavation is a bigger share of cost here than in most markets.

Yes, with no obligation. We measure, probe for caliche, check drainage and give you a written price.

Almost never the turf. It is usually excavation depth, base depth or a missing caliche allowance that turns into a change order.

Yes, in direct summer sun. It runs comparable to a paver patio and cooler than dark concrete or dark decorative rock. Full answer here.

Usually not. Dark rock absorbs and radiates a great deal of heat, and cooling-technology turf typically runs cooler.

Shade first, by a wide margin. Then cooling-technology turf, then a rinse — which drops the surface temperature within seconds.

Dogs move off hot surfaces on their own. Specify cooling turf, provide shade, and rinse before heavy midday use in July and August.

A cemented calcium carbonate hardpan common across the valley, sometimes only inches below the surface. It is nearly as hard as concrete and does not drain.

Most residential yards one to two days. Desert front yard conversions often a single day. Putting greens two to four.

No. Living sod decomposes underneath and the surface settles unevenly.

Through the turf into a graded open base, then to a designed outlet — a French drain, dry well or tie-in. In walled yards over caliche, an outlet has to be built.

Yes. Crews start early. Turf also relaxes faster in heat, which helps before cutting.

Not with the right product and installation. In a desert setting, breaking up the green with borders, granite and planting matters as much as turf quality.

Quality UV-stabilised turf holds colour well past a decade. Cheap turf fades here within a few seasons.

Fifteen to twenty years for quality turf properly installed.

Rinse regularly — dust is the local factor — clear debris, and cross-brush traffic paths once or twice a year. Power broom professionally every two to three years.

Arizona law prevents an association from restricting water-saving landscape. They can have input on design but not prohibit it outright. More here.

Low-E windows concentrating sunlight enough to melt turf fibres in a stripe. It happens more here than almost anywhere and no warranty covers it.