Pavers and Artificial Turf: A Prescott Homeowner's Guide
- 1 day ago
- 11 min read
Are you thinking about combining pavers and artificial turf for your yard in Prescott, AZ? You've come to the right place. This combination is one of the smartest, most beautiful landscaping solutions for our Northern Arizona climate, blending durable, stylish hardscaping with a lush, green lawn that requires almost no maintenance.
For years, R.E. and Sons Landscaping has helped homeowners in Prescott, Prescott Valley, and Chino Valley solve the biggest challenge of local landscaping: creating a stunning outdoor space that saves water, withstands our intense sun, and doesn't demand constant weekend work. We specialize in designing and installing paver and artificial turf landscapes that are built to last right here in our community.
This guide answers the most common questions we hear from local homeowners, using our hands-on experience to explain why this pairing works so well and what it takes to get it done right.
Why are pavers and artificial turf a perfect match for Prescott yards?
Pairing pavers and artificial turf is a perfect match for Prescott yards because it directly solves our biggest local landscaping problems: water scarcity, intense sun, and the desire for low-maintenance living. It’s about creating an outdoor space you can actually use and enjoy year-round, without the constant upkeep and high water bills of a traditional lawn.
At its core, this combination gives you the best of both worlds: a beautiful, durable patio that can handle our freeze-thaw cycles and a green lawn that looks perfect without ever needing a drop of water. For homeowners we work with at R.E. and Sons Landscaping, it’s a practical, sustainable investment in their property.
Here's a quick look at why this combination is a winning strategy for local landscapes.
Benefit | Why It Matters in Northern Arizona | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Water-Wise Living | Artificial turf eliminates irrigation, a huge plus in our water-conscious community, saving money and resources. | Homeowners tired of high water bills and brown summer lawns. |
Year-Round Durability | Pavers withstand our high-altitude sun and freeze-thaw cycles without cracking, while turf handles foot traffic and weather. | Families with kids and pets, or anyone wanting a space that looks great in any season. |
Seriously Low Maintenance | No more mowing, weeding, or fertilizing. This combo frees up your weekends for relaxing instead of yard work. | Busy professionals, retirees, and anyone who'd rather enjoy their yard than work on it. |
This blend of beauty and practicality offers an excellent return on your investment, creating a functional, year-round space that enhances property value while cutting down on maintenance and your environmental footprint.
The Smart Solution For Northern Arizona Living
Choosing to combine these two materials is a strategic move for anyone living in our region. The benefits go far beyond curb appeal, directly addressing durability, usability, and long-term value.
Water Conservation: Artificial turf requires zero water to stay green, which is a massive advantage here. This leads to real savings and a much more eco-friendly landscape.
Durability and Longevity: We only use pavers that resist fading from our intense UV rays and cracking during winter frosts. The turf we install is built to handle heavy use from kids, pets, and patio furniture.
Low Maintenance: Imagine your weekends without mowing, fertilizing, or pulling weeds. A professionally installed paver and turf yard gives you your time back.
We've seen it time and again: for homeowners who want a mix of beauty and function, the combination of pavers and artificial turf is a home run. It creates a usable, year-round space that adds value while saving on water and upkeep.
In this guide, we’ll share our team's hands-on advice for designing your layout and picking the right materials. For a wider view on creating outdoor spaces, check out A Homeowner's Guide to Outdoor Living Spaces. You can also dive deeper into creating harmony between hardscaping and softscaping in our article on the subject.
How do you design a paver and turf layout?
You design a paver and turf layout by first thinking about how you want to use the space. A great design is about creating functional zones that fit your lifestyle, not just what looks good on paper. At R.E. and Sons Landscaping, we help Prescott homeowners plan layouts that feel natural and make daily outdoor living better.
Before we even think about materials, we ask questions. Do you need a large paver area for a dining table and grill? A soft, safe turf zone for kids and pets to play? Or maybe a modern checkerboard pattern with large pavers set into the turf for a sleek look? The best layout is always one that serves a purpose.
Popular Design Ideas For Prescott Yards
Thinking about the function of each area is what creates a cohesive, natural flow. Here are a few popular concepts we’ve brought to life for homeowners across the Prescott area:
Geometric Patterns: This is perfect for a clean, modern look. We use large square or rectangular pavers in a grid or offset pattern, letting the artificial turf act as a vibrant green "grout line."
Winding Pathways: Paver paths that meander through a turf lawn add a bit of magic and discovery, leading the eye toward a garden, a quiet seating area, or a water feature.
Dedicated Activity Zones: We can design a distinct paver patio for grilling and dining, perfectly framed by a lush turf area for lawn games or even a custom putting green.
How Should I Lay Out My Paver And Turf Patio?
The best layout always considers two things: your personal needs and your property’s unique character. For our clients here in Prescott, we always start by looking at the bigger picture. How can we orient the patio to capture those stunning views of Thumb Butte or the Granite Dells?
This approach makes your yard feel like a natural extension of the incredible beauty we have in Northern Arizona. We also get practical about things like sun exposure. A dining area might be best placed where it gets afternoon shade, while a lounge space could be perfect for catching the morning sun.
The most effective designs are born from collaboration. We bring the technical expertise, and you bring the vision for how you want to live in your space. Together, we create a layout that is both beautiful and perfectly functional for your family.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a design that looks incredible from every angle and works flawlessly for how you want to spend your time outdoors. We'll share our insights on everything from material choices to planning for a future fire pit. A thoughtful layout is the foundation of an outdoor space you’ll love for years to come.
How do you choose the right materials for the Prescott climate?
In a place like Prescott, with its intense sun and dramatic temperature swings, your material choices are the difference between a landscape that lasts and one that fails. Choosing the right pavers and artificial turf isn't just about color or style; it’s about durability and long-term performance.
At R.E. and Sons Landscaping, we’ve seen what works and what doesn't in Northern Arizona yards. It all comes down to choosing products engineered to withstand our specific environmental pressures, from high-altitude UV rays to our famous monsoon season. Our approach is straightforward: we pick materials that have proven they can handle what our climate throws at them.
What are the best pavers for Northern Arizona?
Not all pavers are created equal, especially when facing our freeze-thaw cycles. In winter, moisture seeps into porous materials, freezes, expands, and can cause ugly cracks. That’s exactly why we guide Prescott homeowners toward specific, battle-tested options.
Concrete Pavers: These are the workhorses of the industry for a reason. They offer incredible design flexibility and are manufactured to withstand freezing temperatures without breaking a sweat. Their reliability is a major reason the global market for them is projected to reach US$21.3 billion by 2030.
Travertine Pavers: This beautiful natural stone stays cooler underfoot than many other options—a huge plus during our sunny summers. Its natural porosity also helps it handle temperature changes gracefully.
Natural Stone: Materials quarried locally often complement the rugged Prescott terrain beautifully. They offer a timeless, rustic look that just feels right at home in our landscape.
For an even deeper dive into material comparisons, check out our guide on choosing the best pavers for your Prescott landscape.
What should I look for in artificial turf?
When it comes to artificial turf, it’s easy to get lost in the jargon. Terms like pile height (the length of the grass blades) and face weight (the yarn's weight per square yard) are far less important than how the product actually performs in your yard.
Here’s what truly matters for a lawn in Prescott Valley or Chino Valley:
UV Protection: Our high-altitude sun is relentless. We only install turf with high-quality, built-in UV inhibitors to ensure that vibrant green color won't fade to a dull, sad shade after just a few seasons.
Excellent Drainage: Monsoon downpours demand a turf system that can handle a sudden deluge of water. The backing must be highly permeable, allowing water to pass through to the prepared base below and preventing any pooling.
A Soft, Realistic Feel: Great turf isn't just about looks. We recommend products that feel soft and comfortable underfoot, making the space genuinely inviting for kids, pets, and bare feet.
Ultimately, the best materials are the ones we've seen perform year after year in local installations right here in our community. Choosing products tested by your climate is the surest path to a beautiful, enduring landscape.
What does a professional paver and turf installation involve?
A professional installation is an engineered system built from the ground up to ensure your landscape lasts a lifetime. This is where craftsmanship matters most. Anyone can lay down pavers and roll out turf, but the real work happens underneath, creating a foundation that can handle everything our Northern Arizona climate throws at it.
As a licensed contractor (ROC #300642), our team at R.E. and Sons Landscaping follows a meticulous process that protects your investment. It isn't just about making things look pretty; it's about building a solid, durable base that prevents sinking, shifting, and drainage problems for years to come.
Why is excavation and grading so important?
Before a single paver is set, the most important work begins with proper site preparation. A helpful residential excavation guide can give you a deeper understanding of what this crucial process involves.
For every project we do in Prescott or Prescott Valley, our work starts with proper excavation and grading. We carefully remove the existing soil to a specific depth, then precisely grade the entire area to create a subtle, almost unnoticeable slope. This is non-negotiable because it ensures that when our heavy summer monsoon rains hit, water flows away from your home's foundation and off the paver and turf surfaces. No pooling, no soggy spots, and no potential water damage.
How do you build a base that lasts?
With the site properly graded, the next step is building the multi-layer base. This is the unseen foundation that prevents your pavers from sinking, shifting, or becoming uneven over time. A weak base is the number one cause of paver patio failure.
Our process involves:
A Sub-Base Layer: We lay down a thick layer of aggregate, which provides the primary structural support and allows for excellent drainage.
Meticulous Compaction: Using professional-grade plate compactors, we compact this base in lifts. This creates a dense, interlocked foundation that is incredibly stable.
The Bedding Layer: A final, thin layer of specialized sand is screeded perfectly smooth over the compacted base. This is what the pavers are actually set into, allowing for precise placement.
A properly compacted base is non-negotiable. It’s the difference between a paver patio that looks great on day one and a paver patio that still looks great on day 3,001.
The final installation steps
Once the base is perfect, our team gets to the detailed work of laying the pavers and installing the turf. We install durable edging restraints around the perimeter of the paver area, which are essential for locking the pavers in place and preventing them from spreading apart.
Each paver is laid by hand, ensuring tight joints and perfect lines. For the artificial turf, a similar permeable base is prepared to guarantee swift drainage. We then roll out the turf, meticulously cut it to fit, and secure the seams to create a flawless, uniform appearance. This dedication to quality is supported by advancements in our industry. The global market for pavers equipment is predicted to grow to US$3.243 billion by 2031, allowing companies like ours to deliver superior results.
The final touch is creating a seamless and trip-free transition between the pavers and artificial turf. This is where attention to detail really shines, resulting in a beautiful, integrated, and safe outdoor living space ready for your family to enjoy.
How do you care for a paver and turf landscape?
One of the best things about combining pavers and artificial turf is how incredibly easy it is to maintain. The whole point is to spend more time enjoying your yard, not working on it. The care routine is simple and straightforward, designed to keep your new space looking its best without demanding your entire weekend.
How do you keep artificial turf looking good?
Your new turf is built for durability, but a little upkeep now and then keeps it looking fresh and inviting. For our Northern Arizona climate, this is usually all it takes:
Rinse It Off: A quick spray with a garden hose is usually enough to wash away the dust that builds up, especially during our dry spells.
Fluff the Fibers: High-traffic areas might see the turf fibers start to lay down over time. Just grab a stiff, synthetic-bristle broom and brush against the grain—it’ll lift the fibers right back up.
Handle Spills and Pet Use: Most spills are no big deal; a simple rinse will handle them. For pet messes, pick up any solid waste and then rinse the area thoroughly. For more detailed tips, check out our guide on how to maintain artificial turf in Prescott, AZ.
How do you maintain a paver patio?
Pavers are practically synonymous with resilience, which is why their popularity continues to grow. In fact, the paver block market was recently valued at USD 4.8 billion, largely because homeowners appreciate how a little care goes a long way. You can see more insights about the paver block market on futuremarketinsights.com.
Routine sweeping is your best friend for keeping pavers clean. It’s the easiest way to prevent dirt and debris from building up in the joints.
For stubborn spots or spills, like grease from a BBQ, it's best to use a specialized paver cleaner and a scrub brush. Avoid harsh chemicals that could cause discoloration and damage your beautiful patio.
Prescott-Specific Maintenance Tips
Living in Northern Arizona brings a couple of unique maintenance considerations into play. After a winter freeze, it’s always a good idea to walk your patio and look for any pavers that may have shifted, though this is rare with a professional installation from R.E. and Sons Landscaping.
If your home is surrounded by our beautiful pine trees, managing fallen needles is key. Regular sweeping or using a leaf blower on a low setting will keep them from breaking down and staining the surface of both your pavers and turf. These simple, localized steps ensure your landscape thrives in our unique environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pavers and Turf
Over the years, we've helped countless homeowners in Prescott, Prescott Valley, and the surrounding areas combine pavers and turf. Here are straightforward answers to the most common questions we get.
How much does a paver and artificial turf installation cost in Prescott, AZ?
The final cost depends on the total size of the area, the specific materials you choose, and the complexity of your site (like grading needs). Because every yard is different, a one-size-fits-all price isn’t realistic. The only way to get an accurate number is with an on-site consultation. This allows our team at R.E. and Sons Landscaping to take precise measurements, assess the property, and provide a detailed quote with no surprises.
Does artificial turf get too hot in the Arizona sun?
That’s a great question, and an important one for Northern Arizona. While any surface will warm up in our sun, modern high-quality turf is engineered to handle heat much better than older products. We use turf with built-in UV protection, lighter colors that reflect sunlight, and special cooling infill materials that absorb less heat. We only install products proven to perform in our local climate, ensuring they stay comfortable for families and pets.
How do you handle drainage for pavers and turf?
Proper drainage is the bedrock of a lasting project, especially with our monsoon season. We engineer a permeable, multi-layer base of specific aggregates under both the pavers and the turf. We then grade the entire area with a precise, gentle slope that directs all runoff safely away from your home’s foundation. This expert site preparation is critical to protect your investment for decades.
Can I put a fire pit on pavers next to artificial turf?
Yes, you absolutely can! A paver patio provides the perfect non-combustible and stable surface required for a fire pit. When we design the space, our team at R.E. and Sons Landscaping ensures all necessary safety clearances are met, keeping a safe distance between the fire pit and the edge of the turf. This creates a beautiful, code-compliant focal point your family can enjoy safely.
Ready to transform your yard with a beautiful, low-maintenance combination of pavers and artificial turf? The team at R.E. and Sons Landscaping is here to bring your vision to life in Prescott and the surrounding Northern Arizona communities. Let's start the conversation and create an outdoor space you'll love for years to come.