Topo d'Oro Landscape Design
(847) 387-9509
Turf

Artificial Turf Installation in Evanston & Chicagoland

Call (847) 387-9509Request a Design Consultation
Artificial Turf project by Topo d'Oro Landscape Design in Evanston and Chicago's North Shore

Artificial turf solves the specific problems Chicago-area lawns are worst at: dense shade under mature trees, dog traffic, narrow side yards, rooftop decks and slopes that will not hold grass. Topo d'Oro installs turf across Evanston and Chicago's North Shore on a full engineered base — excavation, compacted aggregate, drainage and edge restraint — because turf installed over unprepared ground ripples, holds odor and separates at the seams within a season or two. The turf is the last layer, not the whole job.

What's included

Artificial Turf scope of work

  • Full lawn turf replacement

    Front, back and full-property synthetic lawn installation.

  • Shade-area turf

    Green surface where mature canopy prevents grass from establishing.

  • Pet turf & dog runs

    High-permeability backing, antimicrobial infill and drainage layer.

  • Putting greens

    Short-pile contoured greens with cut cups and fringe.

  • Play areas

    Turf over shock-absorbing pad for fall protection.

  • Rooftop & deck turf

    Drainage-layer assemblies that protect waterproofing below.

  • Pool surround turf

    Slip-conscious, chlorine-tolerant installation around the pool deck.

  • Side yards & slopes

    Turf on narrow and steep ground where grass fails.

  • Base, drainage & edging

    Excavation, compacted base, drainage and permanent edge restraint.

Where turf is the right answer — and where it isn't

We will tell you when turf is not the move. A large sunny lawn that grows well and drains well is usually better served by real grass. Turf earns its place where grass genuinely fails: deep shade beneath mature canopy, high-traffic dog runs, tight side yards, pool surrounds, rooftop and terrace applications, steep slopes, and small city yards where a mower is more trouble than the lawn is worth.

It also makes sense where water use, chemical input and weekly maintenance are the deciding factors. No mowing, no watering, no fertilizer, no muddy season — and a green surface in March and November when a real lawn is dormant brown.

The base is the entire job

Every turf failure we get called to repair traces back to the base. We excavate to depth, install and compact aggregate base in lifts, set drainage to move water through the assembly rather than pooling under it, and secure the perimeter with proper edge restraint so the turf cannot creep or lift.

Seams are cut, glued and nailed to disappear rather than announce themselves. Infill is applied at the correct rate and brushed in — antimicrobial infill on pet installations to control odor at the source rather than masking it. On rooftop and deck applications, we use drainage-layer assemblies that protect the waterproofing beneath.

Pet turf, putting greens and play areas

Pet installations are a different specification: higher-permeability backing, antimicrobial infill, and in many cases a drainage layer beneath so urine passes through and flushes rather than sitting in the base. Done right, a dog run stays sanitary with routine rinsing.

Putting greens use short-pile, high-density turf with contoured base work, cut cups and fringe transitions. Play areas can be installed over shock-absorbing pad for fall protection under equipment.

Turf as part of a designed landscape

Turf looks synthetic when it is installed as a rectangle of green dropped into an otherwise unconsidered yard. It reads as intentional when the edges are detailed — stone or steel edging, a paver border, planting beds that frame it, and lighting that treats it as part of the composition.

Because we design and build the whole landscape, turf gets integrated into the plan alongside the hardscape, plantings and lighting instead of being installed in isolation.

Materials

Specified by name and finish

Multi-tone polyethylene turf
Blade shapes and thatch layers that read as real grass, not carpet.
Permeable & flow-through backing
Drainage rates specified for pet and rooftop applications.
Antimicrobial infill
Odor control at the source on pet installations.
Compacted aggregate base
Engineered depth with positive drainage.
Steel, stone & paver edging
Permanent restraint and a detailed finished edge.
Process

Design · Build · Enhance

  1. 01

    Design

    Application assessment, product and infill selection, edge and drainage detail.

  2. 02

    Build

    Excavation, base, compaction, drainage, seaming, securing and infill.

  3. 03

    Enhance

    Edging, plantings, lighting and integration into the surrounding landscape.

Questions

Frequently asked

How much does artificial turf cost in the Chicago area?

Installed cost depends on square footage, turf product, how much excavation and drainage the site needs, and access to the area. Pet installations and rooftop assemblies carry additional cost for drainage layers. Because turf is a bigger up-front investment than sod, we price it in writing after seeing the site. Call (847) 387-9509.

How long does artificial turf last?

Quality turf on a correctly built base commonly performs for fifteen to twenty years or more in residential use. The base is what determines the outcome — turf on an undersized base can look bad in two seasons regardless of the product warranty.

Does artificial turf get hot in the summer?

Synthetic turf runs hotter than natural grass in direct sun, which is worth planning for. Shade, lighter-colored infill and a quick rinse all reduce it. In shaded applications — which is where most Chicago-area turf is installed — it is a non-issue.

Is artificial turf good for dogs?

It is one of the strongest use cases, provided it is specified for pets. That means high-permeability backing, antimicrobial infill and a drainage assembly beneath so waste flushes through rather than sitting in the base. Routine rinsing keeps it sanitary.

Does turf drain properly through a Chicago winter?

Yes, when the base is built for it. Snow melts and passes through the same drainage assembly that handles rain. Turf can be shoveled, and it comes out of winter green rather than dormant.

Can turf be installed on a rooftop or deck?

Yes, and it is a common rooftop solution. It requires a drainage-layer assembly that protects the waterproofing membrane below and weight-conscious material selection. It is a different build than a ground-level installation.

Serving Chicagoland

Artificial Turf across the North Shore

  • Evanston
  • Wilmette
  • Winnetka
  • Glencoe
  • Northbrook
  • Skokie
  • Highland Park
  • Kenilworth
  • Glenview
  • Lake Forest
  • Deerfield
  • Lincolnwood
  • Chicago
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Begin your golden sanctuary.

Tell us about the property and how you want to use it. We will walk the site, scope the work and put it in writing.

Call (847) 387-9509Request a Design Consultation