Artificial Turf vs Sod in Ontario: Cost Compared

Sod is cheaper to put in. A Mississauga installer publishes sod at $9 per sq ft installed against $10–$20 per sq ft for an artificial grass backyard from Ontario installers’ published prices.

Over time the gap closes. A Toronto-area installer puts natural grass upkeep over 10 years (water, fertilizer, mowing, aeration and repairs) at $12,000–$20,000+, against $8,000–$12,000 for artificial grass including its installation. These are installers’ own estimates, so treat them as one side’s math.

Up-front cost

Every published installed figure for both.

Published installed prices

CAD · before HST · published prices

Sod, installedFrom a Mississauga turf installer’s 2024 cost guide: $9 per sq ft
Backyard lawn, installedFrom a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide: $12–$20 per sq ft
Residential backyard, installedFrom a Hamilton-area turf supplier’s 2025 cost guide: $10–$15 per sq ft
Mid-range turf, installedFrom HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide (August 2026): $10–$15 per sq ft

Ten years on

The natural lawn’s figure assumes you pay for watering, fertilizer, mowing and repairs; if you mow it yourself and let it go dormant in August, it costs far less. The turf figure assumes it lasts the decade with light care, which depends on the turf, the base and how hard it is used.

Published 10-year estimates

CAD · before HST · published prices

Natural grass upkeep over 10 years (water, fertilizer, mowing, aeration, repairs)From a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide: $12,000–$20,000+
Artificial grass over 10 years (installation plus light upkeep)From a Toronto-area turf installer’s 2026 price guide: $8,000–$12,000

Watering rules: what new sod is allowed

New sod needs water every day for its first weeks, and many Ontario cities limit when lawns can be watered. Most give new sod a grace period or a permit; check yours before you book a sod delivery for July. Turf needs no watering, only a rinse where pets go, which hand-held hoses and cans usually cover.

Lawn watering rules in some Ontario cities

From each city’s or region’s own page, checked October 29, 2026. Every city page on this site has its own rule.

City	Lawn watering	New sod
Toronto	No standing schedule; the City gives advice (about 2.5 cm a week)	No city schedule to work around
Hamilton	Every other day by house number (By-law 23-235)	Not stated
Waterloo Region	Once a week by address, May 31 to Sept 30 (By-law 07-069)	One permit a year for new seed or sod
Barrie	Odd or even days, 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., always in effect; none at Level 2	May be watered for 14 days after it goes in
Markham	Odd or even days, June 1 to Sept 30 (By-law 2019-53)	Exempt for two months
Richmond Hill	Odd or even days, up to four hours, June 15 to Sept 30 (By-law 39-08)	Exempt for one month
Kingston	Odd or even days, sprinklers 5 to 10 a.m., June 15 to Sept 15	7-day permit, $55 plus HST

When sod is the better choice

You want real grass under the trees, you have a big lot where turf would cost tens of thousands, you’d rather avoid a plastic surface in full sun, or your city’s front-yard rules count turf as hard landscaping.

When turf is the better choice

Dogs have worn the lawn to mud, it is shaded or sloped and grass won’t take, it is a balcony or rooftop, or you want a putting green or play area that stays usable from April to November without mowing or watering.

Questions people ask

Is artificial turf cheaper than sod?

Not to put in: sod is published at $9 per sq ft installed, artificial grass at $10–$20 per sq ft. Over 10 years, installers’ own estimates put turf ahead once you count paid watering, fertilizer and mowing.

Does artificial turf add value to a house?

It can help a small or worn yard look finished year-round, but there is no published Ontario figure for resale value. A neat natural lawn sells too.

Can artificial turf go over existing grass?

Not well. The grass and a few inches of soil should come out so a compacted gravel base can go in; turf laid on lawn goes lumpy, drains poorly and lets weeds through.

Where these prices come from

These figures are from Ontario turf installers’ and suppliers’ own published price guides (Toronto area, Mississauga, Hamilton area) and from HomeStars’ Canadian artificial grass price guide, checked October 23, 2026. We don’t name the installers: we’re a referral service and don’t promote individual businesses. They’re ranges, not quotes, in CAD before HST.

Other facts on this page, checked October 29, 2026: