Certified Installer
Only in 5 Florida Counties
Artificial Turf Installation
Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando
& Fort Myers
The outdoor space you want — without the lawn you don't. The only Florida contractor that installs premium paver hardscape AND artificial turf in a single coordinated project.
The Difference
Most Turf Companies Install Grass. We Install Complete Outdoor Spaces.
Every artificial turf specialist in our market — Magnolia Turf, EternaTurf, SYNLawn, Buccaneer — installs turf. That's it. When you also need a patio, pool deck, or walkways, you're managing a second contractor, a second quote, and a seam between their work where nobody is fully responsible.
EC Paver Solutions installs artificial turf as part of a complete outdoor living system — coordinated with the porcelain or travertine patio, pool deck, walkways, and containment borders that define the entire space. When the same certified contractor designs and installs both, the transition is seamless, the drainage is coordinated, and the borders are integrated from day one.
For Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Tampa homeowners investing in a complete outdoor transformation, having one Hardscape.com Certified contractor responsible for the entire scope is the highest-quality approach available.
Paver + turf integration
Single contractor, seamless transition at every border
Drainage coordination
Patio drainage flows into turf system as planned
Level design
Transitions engineered together — never improvised
Pet-spec infill
Antimicrobial + zeolite — no odor accumulation
FL heat solutions
Cool organic infill — paws and kids stay safe
HOA documentation
Lakewood Ranch ARB process handled for you
The Florida Turf Heat Problem Nobody Talks About — And Our Solutions
Standard artificial turf in direct Florida sun reaches 140–160°F surface temperature on summer afternoons. This makes the turf unusable during peak hours and potentially dangerous for pets and barefoot children. Most installers understate or omit this. We address it on every project.
Shade Planning
We assess sun exposure at every installation and recommend shade structures, trees, or pergola positioning before the project begins.
Cool Infill
Cork and coconut fiber infills stay significantly cooler than crumb rubber. We specify organic infill for all Florida turf in high-sun areas — especially pet areas.
Irrigation for Cooling
A simple drip irrigation or misting system over the turf drops surface temperature 30–50°F within minutes. We can integrate this into pool or irrigation systems already on-site.
Applications
Five Turf Applications — Each With Different Specifications
Backyard turf, pet areas, putting greens, play areas, and paver integration each require different products, bases, and infill systems. Here's what we specify for each.
Most CommonBackyard Lawn Replacement
Replacing all or part of the backyard lawn. For a Sarasota or Lakewood Ranch home with 800–2,000 sqft of lawn, this is the highest-impact outdoor upgrade per dollar spent. Eliminates mowing, irrigation, fertilization, and annual reseeding.
Specifications
Pile: 1.5"–2" standard, 2"–2.5" lush
Face weight: 50oz+ residential, 65oz+ premium
Infill: silica sand + organic topdressing
Drainage: 30+ inches/hour/sqyd
Most TechnicalPet Areas (Dogs)
Dog urine kills natural Florida grass within weeks. Properly specified turf with antimicrobial infill and zeolite topdressing handles year-round pet use without odor. Florida-specific: cool infill required — crumb rubber reaches dangerous paw temperatures.
Specifications
Pile: 1.25"–1.5" (dries faster, easier to maintain)
Infill: antimicrobial silica + zeolite topdressing
Base: 8" aggregate minimum for urine drainage
Backing: commercial-grade, perforated
PremiumPutting Greens
Highest value-per-sqft turf application. Popular in Palmer Ranch, Lakewood Ranch golf communities, and Tampa's premium neighborhoods. Year-round practice without tee times. Custom designed per available space and client's practice priorities.
Specifications
Turf: engineered for true ball roll (stimp-rated)
Base: precision graded within 1/8" for consistent speed
Holes: 2–4 hole configurations + multiple pin positions
Fringe: higher-cut surround + chipping area optional
Safety CertifiedPlay Areas
Around swing sets, trampolines, and play zones. Infill specified for Critical Fall Height (CFH) compliance based on equipment's maximum drop. IPEMA-certified systems. Antimicrobial treatment for organic debris and bacterial prevention.
Specifications
Infill: shock-absorbing rubber or organic (CFH compliant)
IPEMA certification for fall height compliance
Antimicrobial backing and infill
Depth: 2–4 inches infill based on equipment height
🏆 EC Paver ExclusivePaver + Turf Integration
The application that sets EC Paver completely apart. When the same contractor designs the paver patio and the turf area, the transition between surfaces is seamless. No level mismatches. No drainage conflicts. No finger-pointing when something goes wrong.
Specifications
Paver edge becomes turf containment border
Drainage coordinated across both surfaces
Level transitions designed together — not improvised
Single contractor, single timeline, single warranty
Buyer's Guide
What Makes Artificial Turf Look Realistic — Technical Guide
Most installers answer “what's the most realistic turf?” with brand names. Here's the technical criteria that actually determines realism — regardless of brand.
Face weight
More fiber = more realistic + better durability
✗ Low quality
Under 40oz — thin, low traffic resilience
✓ What to specify
50oz+ residential · 65oz+ premium
Blade shape
Natural grass isn't flat — neither should turf be
✗ Low quality
Flat blades — obviously artificial, reflect light uniformly
✓ What to specify
W-shaped or C-shaped — reflects light at different angles like real grass
Color blend
Natural grass is never one color
✗ Low quality
Single green — looks synthetic
✓ What to specify
3–5 shades of green + tan/brown accents
Thatch layer
Replicates natural grass base layer for realistic depth
✗ Low quality
None — looks installed not grown
✓ What to specify
Brown/olive fibers at the base (visible depth)
Backing
Florida sun destroys single-layer backing within 5-8 years
✗ Low quality
Single-layer — delaminates in FL heat/UV over time
✓ What to specify
Two-layer polyurethane with adequate perforations
Drainage capacity
Florida summer storms deliver 3-4 inches in under an hour
✗ Low quality
Under 20 in/hr — puddles after FL rainfall events
✓ What to specify
30+ inches per hour per square yard
Pricing
Every Project Is Custom-Quoted
Material selection, project size, site conditions, and specification all affect the final cost. We provide written itemized quotes — material, base depth, pattern, and labor — at no charge.
Our Process
7-Phase Installation Process
Every step contributes to the final result. Skipping base engineering or using wrong infill creates failures that show up within the first year.
Site Assessment & Design
Measure area, assess drainage direction and capacity, evaluate existing surface, design layout including seam locations (minimized, low-visibility), border treatment, and integration with existing or planned hardscape.
Surface Preparation
Remove existing grass, sod, or debris. Excavate 3–4 inches below finished grade for aggregate base. In high water table areas (common in Sarasota and Bradenton), install drainage channel system before base.
Base Installation
Compacted crushed aggregate base in layers — minimum 30 inches/hour drainage capacity, level within 1/4" across field (1/8" for putting greens), consistent slope for drainage. For paver integration, turf base level is coordinated with adjacent paver grade at this phase.
Turf Installation
Rolls unrolled, temperature-acclimated (critical in FL heat), cut to fit, seamed with specialized tape and adhesive. Seams run perpendicular to primary viewing direction. Nap direction consistent across entire installation.
Infill Application
Infill spread with drop spreader and worked into pile with mechanical broom. Standard: silica sand base + sealing sand top. Pet areas: antimicrobial infill + zeolite topdressing. Putting greens: specialized putting green sand for consistent ball roll.
Border & Integration
Turf edges secured into treated wood border, or tucked under adjacent hardscape. For paver integration, turf edge is recessed beneath paver edge for seamless transition. Zero visible seam between surfaces.
Power Brushing & Inspection
Power brooming raises pile to finished height and ensures consistent direction. Final inspection of seams, edges, drainage, and infill coverage before sign-off. We walk the project with you.
Where We Install
Artificial Turf Across Florida
Sarasota
Sarasota's turf market includes Magnolia Turf (strong autocomplete presence), EternaTurf, and FusionTurf. Diamond Quality Turf holds the Celebrity Greens putting green dealership. What EC Paver offers that none provide: full outdoor integration — turf + paver patio + pool deck in a single coordinated project. Serving Palmer Ranch, Siesta Key, Gulf Gate, Osprey, Venice.
Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch HOA communities require ARB approval before any turf installation. We handle the ARB documentation process for Esplanade, Lorraine Lakes, Del Webb, Waterside, and other LWR communities. West Bradenton and established neighborhoods served without HOA complexity.
Tampa
Tampa's turf market is led by Buccaneer Artificial Turf & Paver — a hybrid competitor in South Tampa. EC Paver differentiates via Hardscape.com Certified hardscape expertise and porcelain/natural stone quality that Buccaneer can't match. Serving South Tampa, Westchase, Carrollwood, and New Tampa.
Orlando
Orlando's turf market has established players (theartificalgrasspro.com, XGrass, SYNLawn, P&F Artificial Grass). EC Paver serves Orlando's premium markets — Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Winter Park, Lake Nona — with paver + turf integration projects.
Fort Myers
Fort Myers is an expanding market. Back Nine Greens dominates putting greens (4.9⭐/149 reviews). Purchase Green and Turf Creations serve the residential market. EC Paver brings the paver + turf integration capability no current local player offers in Lee County. Serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, and Estero.
Our Work
Recent Turf Projects
Sarasota · Bradenton · Lakewood Ranch · Tampa · Orlando · Fort Myers
Common Questions
Artificial Turf FAQ
How much does it cost for someone to lay artificial turf in Florida?+
What is the downside of artificial turf in Florida?+
Does artificial turf work for dogs in Florida?+
What is the most realistic looking artificial turf?+
Can I install artificial turf in a Lakewood Ranch HOA?+
What should you put down before laying artificial turf?+
How much does Home Depot charge to install artificial turf?+
What is the difference between artificial turf and artificial grass?+
Why choose a paver contractor for artificial turf instead of a turf specialist?+
Ready to Design Your Complete Outdoor Space?
Free on-site estimate — paver patio, pool deck, walkways, and artificial turf designed and priced together. Serving Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Myers.
(941) 250-4635