Does Artificial Turf Get Too Hot in the Dallas Summer Heat?

If you’ve lived through a Texas summer, you know the sun doesn’t mess around. So it’s no surprise we get asked all the time, “Hey, does artificial grass get too hot here in Dallas?”

Short answer? It can. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a backyard that feels like a frying pan.

Let me walk you through what we’ve seen firsthand here at Pave-N-Turf, based on actual projects around Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding cities.

The Real Talk About Turf Temps

Artificial turf can get warmer than natural grass. On a hot day, it might feel closer to concrete than it does to real sod. That being said, we’ve had dozens of clients tell us the difference in comfort level depends a lot on the turf type, the time of day, and what kind of shade is around.

One family in Frisco gave us a call after installing turf from a hardware store themselves. No prep, no infill, just rolled it out. By noon, the kids couldn’t walk barefoot on it. When we redid the project with our pet-friendly turf and proper cooling infill, the change was night and day. Their kids were back out with the slip-n-slide by the weekend.

Why Turf Gets Warm

Here’s what’s happening: turf fibers absorb sunlight and hold heat. If there’s no shade, the turf will naturally warm up. But the difference between good turf and budget turf shows up fast once that sun hits.

The stuff we install comes with UV protection built right into the blades. It doesn’t hold heat the same way lower-grade turf does. And when we layer it with cooling infill like T°Cool, which stores moisture and cools as it evaporates, the surface temperature can drop up to 30 degrees. That’s not marketing fluff, that’s what we’ve seen right here in backyards from Plano to Mansfield.

What Homeowners Can Do

If you’re thinking about turf but worried about heat, here are some things we walk our clients through:

• Pick the right turf: Some styles have lighter colors or a blend of blade shapes that reflect more sunlight. We’ve got options that stay more comfortable underfoot.
• Add shade: Trees, shade sails, pergolas, or even umbrellas can make a big difference. In Highland Park, we helped a family add artificial turf around their pool and recommended some shaded areas using sail shades. They couldn’t believe how usable the space became.
• Cooling infill: It’s a game changer. We often recommend this for families with kids or dogs. You get better temperature control without sacrificing how the turf looks or drains.
• Water the turf down: If you’re having guests over mid-day, a quick rinse with a garden hose can bring the temp down in seconds. It’s a simple trick that works.

Is the Heat a Dealbreaker?

Let me put it this way: most of our clients in DFW go forward with turf even after we talk through the temperature question. Why? Because they’re fed up with bare patches, muddy spots, fire ant colonies, or wasting weekends mowing.

Turf can get warm, yes, but when you use the right materials and design the space intelligently, you get all the benefits without the downsides. And let’s not forget, it doesn’t get muddy when it rains, and it doesn’t dry up when we hit those 100+ degree weeks with no water.

We had one couple in Southlake with two golden retrievers. Their grass was a mess after every storm, and their dogs were tracking dirt through the whole house. After we installed our pet turf with cooling infill, they said it was the best home upgrade they’ve made. No more muddy paws. And they still sit out in the yard every evening, even in August.

Final Thoughts from Our Crew

Artificial turf is an investment, so the heat question deserves real answers—not fluff. We’ve seen what works. We’ve seen what doesn’t. And we’re always happy to walk the yard, check the sun exposure, and help you make the right call for your space.

If you’ve been wondering whether turf will be too hot for your kids, pets, or backyard BBQs, give us a shout. No pressure. We’ll just bring honest advice from folks who’ve done this for years across every neighborhood in DFW. Clients can contact us today via our form or phone.

Let’s build something you’ll actually want to spend time in — even in July.