Turfing in Dorking – Real Grass & Artificial Grass
A lawn that looks good and works for how your family uses the garden. Fresh turf laid properly or artificial grass installed on a base that actually drains – your local Dorking team since 2007.
Get a Free Quote →A Lawn That Looks the Part in August Should Still Look the Part in February
Most lawn projects in Dorking start the same way – an existing lawn that’s beyond rescue, a garden renovation that’s cleared the ground and needs finishing, or a new build plot that’s been left as bare soil. The goal is simple: a usable, good-looking lawn. Getting there and keeping it there are where the decisions matter.
For real turf, the preparation underneath is what separates a lawn that establishes well and stays healthy from one that’s patchy by the following spring. Compacted sub-soil, poor drainage and an uneven surface don’t fix themselves once the turf is down. Surrey’s clay-heavy ground in the lower parts of Dorking holds water longer than most – laid on a poorly prepared base, fresh turf sits wet in winter and bakes dry and yellow in a hot July.
For artificial grass, the decision is less about what goes on top and more about what goes underneath. A membrane and a thin layer of sand on compacted clay drains poorly, smells in hot weather and develops a spongy, uneven feel within a couple of years. A proper crushed stone base with correct falls and adequate depth is what makes artificial grass look and perform well long term.
As builders in Dorking with over 17 years working on outdoor projects across the area, we prepare properly for both – because the lawn is often the last thing that goes in and deserves the same attention as everything that came before it.
Turfing in Dorking – Real Grass or Artificial, Done Properly
DFB Building and Landscaping has been laying turf and installing artificial grass across Dorking and the surrounding villages since 2007 – from small rear gardens in the town centre to larger plots in Westcott, Brockham and Capel. We give you an honest steer on which option suits your garden, your household and how you want to use the space.
We don’t have a preference between real and artificial. Both have genuine advantages depending on the situation – and we’d rather give you the right advice than push one over the other for any other reason.
Real Turf vs Artificial Grass – an Honest Comparison for Dorking Gardens
The right choice depends on your garden, your household and how much time you want to spend maintaining a lawn. Here’s what we tell customers when they ask us which to go for.
Families with young children
Real turf is softer and cooler in summer. Artificial grass gets hot in direct sun and some products can cause grazing injuries more readily than natural grass. If the lawn is being used daily by children, we’d usually lean towards real turf unless maintenance is genuinely difficult.
Shaded or damp Dorking gardens
Real grass struggles in deep shade and stays damp longer in north-facing plots. Moss and bare patches are a persistent battle on many Dorking gardens with heavy tree cover. Artificial grass holds its appearance well in shade and stays clean regardless of aspect.
Dogs and heavy use
Dogs are hard on real turf – urine patches, digging and constant traffic create bare patches quickly. Artificial grass handles dog use well and is straightforward to clean. For households with large or active dogs, it’s usually the more practical choice.
Maintenance commitment
Real turf needs regular mowing from March to October, occasional feeding, aeration and overseeding of any thin patches. Artificial grass needs brushing a few times a year and occasional rinsing. If the honest answer is that the lawn won’t get consistent attention, artificial grass will look better long term.
How Your Turfing Project Works
Whether it’s real turf or artificial grass, the process is similar – thorough ground preparation followed by a clean, careful installation. Here’s what to expect.
Site Visit & Quote
We visit, measure the area, assess the existing ground and drainage, and discuss which option suits your garden. Written quote covering all ground preparation and materials – no hidden extras.
Strip & Clear
Existing grass, weeds and any old material are stripped and removed from site. We don’t skim over the top of an existing poor lawn – everything comes out so the base is right.
Ground Preparation
For real turf – sub-soil broken up, topsoil improved where needed, graded to falls and raked fine. For artificial grass – crushed stone sub-base laid, compacted and graded to drainage falls.
Installation
Turf laid in staggered rows, rolled and watered. Or artificial grass laid, fixed, edges finished and pile brushed up. Either way, we check the whole area before leaving.
Aftercare Guidance
For real turf – we leave you with clear watering and establishment guidance so the first few weeks go well. For artificial grass – care and maintenance advice so it stays looking good long term.
What a Properly Installed Lawn in Dorking Gives You
A lawn that looks good all year, drains well after rain and holds up to how your family actually uses the garden. That’s the goal – whichever surface you choose.
An even, well-drained surface – no waterlogging after Dorking’s wet winters
Real turf that establishes quickly and evenly – not patchy after three months
Artificial grass that drains properly – no smell, no spongy patches
Honest advice on which option suits your garden – not a push towards either
Ground preparation done properly – the part nobody sees but everything depends on
A tidy finish – edges clean, site cleared, garden left as it should be
What Our Dorking Customers Say
Other Services We Offer in Dorking
Get a Free Quote for Turfing in Dorking
Tell us the rough size of the area, whether you’re thinking real turf or artificial grass, and where you are in Dorking or nearby. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
DFB Building and Landscaping – trusted builders in Dorking since 2007.