Artificial Grass Installation Fairfax VA | Luxury Pet Turf & Dog Runs

Tired of wiping muddy paws every time it rained, this Fairfax, VA homeowner asked us to turn a muddy backyard into a clean dog run. Fairfax clay holds water, and a natural lawn turns to mud. We build pet runs on a free-draining backing so storm water passes straight through instead of pooling on the surface, and the dogs can go out minutes after the rain stops.

How we build turf

A turf lawn is only as good as the base beneath it, so we apply the same masonry-grade base prep we use under patios. We frame the perimeter with flexible PVC bender board anchored by galvanized staples, which locks the turf edge down to keep it from peeling or lifting. We excavate and build a base of RC6 recycled concrete, compacted in thin lifts; RC6's angular fines lock together for a firm, permeable platform that carries foot traffic and lets water pass through instead of trapping it against the clay below. We install fabric per the turf manufacturer to separate the base from the clay, then brush in an antimicrobial infill that weights the blades so they stand upright and inhibits the mold and ammonia-producing bacteria that make pet turf smell.

The turf

We are an authorized installation partner for Purchase Green, the artificial grass supplier with a showroom and warehouse in Springfield, and we match the turf product to the yard's drainage and traffic; a pet-rated blade for a dog run reads very differently from a fine putting-green surface. Solid waste sits on top of the blades for a quick scoop, and liquids drain through the perforated backing instead of soaking into the ground. The turf is built for heavy residential traffic, and with a plastic shovel and reasonable care you can clear snow off it.