What Is The Best Base For Artificial Turf
In the heart of Hamilton County, Chattanooga, TN, is a dynamic city surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including the Tennessee River, Lookout Mountain, and abundant parks. Known for its outdoor lifestyle, family-friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and growing suburbs like Signal Mountain, Soddy-Daisy, Hixson, and Ooltewah, Chattanooga residents are discovering Grass & More Outdoor Services for premium artificial turf that delivers effortless beauty, paired with custom putting greens or sport courts for personal recreation.
Grass & More Outdoor Services proudly serves all of Hamilton County—including the welcoming city of Chattanooga and nearby areas such as Signal Mountain, Soddy-Daisy, Hixson, Ooltewah, East Ridge, Red Bank, and surrounding communities—with premium artificial grass installations and custom options.
Our most popular services include:
- Full artificial turf lawn transformations for beautiful properties
- Backyard putting green installation for private practice
- Professional sport court construction (multi-sport game courts) where space allows
- Versatile artificial lawns and pet turf for family and pet-friendly yards
Call us today at 423-802-3194 for a consultation.
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What Is the Best Base for Artificial Turf?
The base is one of the most critical elements in any artificial turf installation—it determines drainage, stability, longevity, and overall performance. At Grass & More Outdoor Services, we design and install premium artificial turf systems across Chattanooga TN, Hamilton County, Dalton GA, and nearby North Georgia/Eastern Tennessee areas for artificial lawns, pet turf, backyard putting greens, and sport court applications. A well-constructed base prevents settling, shifting, uneven surfaces, and water pooling, especially in Chattanooga's clay-rich soils, humid summers, and frequent heavy rains.
There is no single "best" base for every project—the ideal choice depends on site conditions (soil type, slope, drainage needs), intended use (residential lawn, pet area, high-traffic sport court, or putting green), and local climate. However, the most reliable and widely recommended base for long-term performance is a properly compacted crushed stone or decomposed granite (DG) base. Here's why it's considered the gold standard, along with key considerations:
Crushed Stone / Decomposed Granite (DG) Base – The Preferred Choice
A 3–4 inch layer (or deeper for poor-draining soils or high-traffic areas) of crushed stone (typically 3/8" to 3/4" angular aggregate) or DG, compacted in lifts with a plate compactor, provides:
- Excellent permeability for rapid drainage—critical in Chattanooga to handle storm runoff and prevent mold or odors in pet turf
- Superior stability and load-bearing capacity to prevent settling or unevenness over time
- Long-term durability that supports consistent fiber uprightness and infill performance
- Compatibility with premium turf systems (like Tour Greens and XGrass) for true ball roll on putting greens and shock absorption on sport courts
We often top this base with a thin layer of finer DG or a leveling course for a perfectly smooth surface before laying the turf.
Other Base Options and When They May Be Used
- Concrete or Asphalt: Used for rooftops, patios, balconies, or existing hardscapes. Requires adhesive installation, drainage channels or perforated underlay, and sometimes a shock pad. Great for urban Chattanooga properties but more expensive and less permeable without added features.
- Soil / Native Base with Amendments: Rarely recommended alone due to poor drainage and settling risk in clay-heavy Hamilton County soils. May be used in very low-traffic, well-draining sites with extensive stabilization.
- Recycled Materials (e.g., Crushed Concrete): Eco-friendly alternative in some cases, but must be clean, angular, and properly compacted to avoid dust or instability.
Common Base Mistakes to Avoid
- Insufficient compaction—leads to future settling and waves in the turf
- Inadequate depth in poor-draining soils—causes water pooling and turf damage
- Using rounded gravel or sand alone—poor stability and drainage issues
- Skipping a weed barrier or proper edging—allows root intrusion or edge lifting
Why Grass & More Outdoor Services Builds Superior Bases in Chattanooga
Professional base preparation is where many DIY or low-quality installations fail. Grass & More Outdoor Services brings precision to every project: site-specific soil analysis, proper excavation, layered compaction with professional equipment, and drainage optimization tailored to Chattanooga's terrain and weather. As the official Tour Greens dealer for Northern Georgia and Eastern Tennessee, we ensure bases support premium turf performance—whether for realistic artificial lawns, pet-safe turf with odor control, tour-quality putting greens (outdoor/indoor, short game, par 3, tee lines), or multi-sport courts.
With over 25 years of combined experience, certified teams, free 3D renderings, a 3-year maintenance contract, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, we deliver bases built to last—preventing costly repairs and maximizing your investment in Hamilton County (Signal Mountain, Hixson, Ooltewah, Soddy-Daisy) and beyond.
Contact Grass & More Outdoor Services
The best base for artificial turf is a properly designed, compacted crushed stone or DG system—customized to your site's needs for optimal drainage, stability, and longevity. Ready for a professional installation that starts with a rock-solid foundation? Call us today at 423-802-3194 for a free consultation and estimate. Let us create a durable, low-maintenance outdoor space—artificial lawns, pet turf, backyard putting greens, or sport courts—that performs beautifully in Chattanooga TN, Dalton GA, and surrounding areas.