--- title: "How Hot Does Artificial Turf Get? | TIMELESS Grass & Greens" description: "Artificial turf can become much hotter than grass in direct sun. Plan for shade, contact with the surface and a cooler place to use on hot days." url: https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/how-hot-does-artificial-turf-get/ updated: 2026-09-12 --- Heat and safety # How hot does artificial turf get? * * * Updated 2026-09-12 The short answer ## How hot does artificial turf get? Artificial turf can become much hotter than living grass in direct sun. Its temperature changes with exposure, weather and the installed materials. Plan shade and a cooler alternative where children or pets will use the surface, and check conditions before and during use. Planning a turf installation? Get a layout, turf options and a written quote for your space. [Request a free estimate](https://www.timelessgrass.com/estimate/) [Call 303-349-2368](tel:3033492368) We’ll call to arrange a free site visit. On this page On this page 1. [Turf runs hotter than grass in direct sun](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/how-hot-does-artificial-turf-get/#turf-runs-hotter-than-grass-in-direct-sun) 2. [Why it heats up](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/how-hot-does-artificial-turf-get/#why-it-heats-up) 3. [Make shade part of the layout](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/how-hot-does-artificial-turf-get/#make-shade-part-of-the-layout) 4. [The cooling effect of watering varies](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/how-hot-does-artificial-turf-get/#the-cooling-effect-of-watering-varies) 5. [Cooling products and infill](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/how-hot-does-artificial-turf-get/#cooling-products-and-infill) 6. [Surface temperature does not settle heat stress](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/how-hot-does-artificial-turf-get/#surface-temperature-does-not-settle-heat-stress) 7. [How to plan for it](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/how-hot-does-artificial-turf-get/#how-to-plan-for-it) ## Turf runs hotter than grass in direct sun The clearest numbers come from [Brigham Young University](https://www.westcoastturf.com/getdoc.cfm?id=38), where researchers took surface readings on synthetic turf, natural grass, asphalt and concrete side by side from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Averaged across the day: - **Synthetic turf:** 117°F, with a high of 157°F - **Asphalt:** 110°F - **Concrete:** 94°F - **Natural grass:** 78°F, with a high of 88.5°F The hottest reading in the study was 200°F, on a 98°F day. These are observations from a particular field comparison, not temperatures to expect from every home lawn. They show why sun exposure belongs in the layout discussion before choosing a surface. ## Why it heats up Living grass can cool itself by moving water through its leaves and evaporating it. The compared surfaces also reflected different amounts of sunlight: about 12.6% for natural grass against 6.9% for synthetic in the studies collected by a [2024 review of 23 studies](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11272752/). The same review reported differences in evaporative cooling. Those mechanisms help explain the measured temperatures; they do not provide a temperature rating for the turf being quoted. Materials, moisture and exposure affect the result. Compare the complete proposed system, and plan where people and pets will use it during hot weather. ## Make shade part of the layout In the same review, 30 mm synthetic grass averaged 57.5°C (135°F) in sun and 32.2°C (90°F) in shade, with peaks of 80.1°C and 42.1°C. That comparison shows a substantial benefit from shade under the tested conditions. The amount of cooling will vary with the site and weather. That makes placement the first decision: - **Play areas and dog runs go where the afternoon shade falls.** A tree line, the north side of the house, a pergola or a shade sail all count. - **Review sunny strips and access routes.** Include the path to the door, not just the main play area, when deciding where cooler surfaces are needed. - **Plan a place to pause beside a putting green.** Shade over seating gives people an alternative. Morning or evening use may suit the layout, but time of day alone does not establish comfort. ## The cooling effect of watering varies Rinsing turf does cool it, fast. In the BYU readings, watering dropped a synthetic surface from 174°F to 85°F. Then it climbed back: 120°F after five minutes and 164°F after twenty. [Penn State researchers](https://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/ssrc/documents/temperature-irrigation.pdf) tried to make the effect last. Mixing 20% calcined clay into the infill to hold moisture “did not reduce surface temperature”, and pre-dawn watering had little effect by afternoon. A rinse may lower the surface temperature temporarily. It does not establish how long play can continue, and repeated watering should not replace shade, condition checks or a cooler place to go. ## Cooling products and infill Infill can change the measured surface temperature. In two studies the 2024 review collected, crumb rubber ran hotter than TPE rubber: 53.5°C against 45.6°C in one, and 61.2°C against 58.0°C in the other. A sand and organic infill plot measured 48.1°C in a separate trial; that is not a direct ranking against the rubber systems. The cooling products tested in the review still had higher surface temperatures than natural grass. Ask what the proposed product was compared with, under what weather and moisture conditions, and whether the results apply to the complete system being installed. For a Florida project, check the applicable material requirements before selecting infill. Our [Florida infill guide](https://www.timelessgrass.com/guides/florida-turf-infill-rules/) explains which residential properties the state standard covers and the distinction between a material rule and local project approval. ## Surface temperature does not settle heat stress Hot turf matters where bare feet, paws, hands or a child sitting down contact it. The surrounding thermal environment matters too. The 2024 review found higher air and surface temperatures over synthetic sports surfaces in the comparisons it included, but concluded that the effect on an individual’s heat-stress risk remained uncertain. That uncertainty is a reason to keep the two questions separate. A surface-temperature reading, a short touch test or wearing shoes cannot establish that outdoor conditions are suitable for every person or activity. Plan an alternative and change the activity when conditions are unsuitable. ## How to plan for it 1. **Map the shade first.** Note where the shade falls at 3 p.m. in July, and put the play area or the dog run there. 2. **Check the proposed shade coverage.** Will the tree, sail or pergola cover the area at the times children or pets use it? Review both the play space and its access route. 3. **Keep water close.** A hose bib or a bowl near the dog’s area makes a quick rinse or a drink easy. 4. **Reassess during use.** Conditions change as sun and shade move. Move play to a cooler area when the turf is too hot; do not rely on a timed hand test. 5. **Treat rinsing as temporary cooling.** It does not establish a safe play window. Follow applicable water-use rules and keep a cooler alternative available. On the free visit we measure the space and check the ground. It is also the right time to walk the yard and decide where the sun-facing turf goes and where the shaded play area goes. ## Common questions ### Is artificial turf too hot for dogs? It can be too hot for paws in direct sun. Plan shade, drinking water and a cooler alternative, and reassess conditions during use. A quick touch or rinse does not establish a safe play period. In [BYU’s measurements](https://www.westcoastturf.com/getdoc.cfm?id=38), a watered surface was back to 120°F after five minutes; that is an observation from the study, not a waiting time for your yard. ### Does watering artificial turf cool it down? It can, but the duration varies with conditions. Watering dropped a synthetic surface from 174°F to 85°F in [BYU's measurements](https://www.westcoastturf.com/getdoc.cfm?id=38), but it read 120°F again after five minutes and 164°F after twenty. ### Does the infill make turf hotter? Some infills run hotter than others. In one study collected by a [2024 review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11272752/), crumb rubber measured 53.5°C (128°F) against 45.6°C (114°F) for TPE rubber. Those measurements describe the tested systems, not every product. In Florida, check the residential infill requirements before comparing options. ### Is the air above turf hotter too? The [2024 review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11272752/) found higher air temperatures in the comparisons it included, but could not establish how the measured differences affect personal heat-stress risk. Surface temperature and heat stress are different questions. Shoes do not establish that conditions are suitable for play. ## Related turf questions - [Is artificial turf suitable for a children’s play area?](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/is-artificial-turf-safe-for-kids/) - [Is there lead in artificial turf?](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/is-there-lead-in-artificial-turf/) - [Do athletes get hurt more on turf fields than on grass?](https://www.timelessgrass.com/blog/turf-vs-grass-field-injury-rates/) ## Where to go next - [Pet turf](https://www.timelessgrass.com/services/pet-turf/) - [Artificial lawns](https://www.timelessgrass.com/services/residential-turf/) - [Putting greens](https://www.timelessgrass.com/services/putting-greens/) - [Turf in Northeast Florida](https://www.timelessgrass.com/northeast-florida/) - [Turf infill in Northeast Florida: sand, shell or rock — not rubber](https://www.timelessgrass.com/guides/florida-turf-infill-rules/) Useful links - [Singh, Peterson, Jay & Stevens (2024), systematic review of 23 studies, International Journal of Biometeorology](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11272752/) - [McNitt, Petrunak & Serensits, Penn State University: irrigation and synthetic turf surface temperature](https://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/ssrc/documents/temperature-irrigation.pdf) Free estimate ## Planning a turf installation? Tell us about the area you want to install or replace. We’ll call to arrange a free site visit. [Or call 303-349-2368](tel:3033492368) Your free estimate includes - A visit to measure your space - A custom layout, drawn for your space - Turf options, side by side - A written price, with no pressure to sign [Request a free estimate](https://www.timelessgrass.com/estimate/) Five short steps. We’ll call to arrange your visit.