Understanding how turfgrass, commonly known as sod, is sold is the first step toward a successful installation. Sod is mature, pre-grown grass harvested in thin layers of soil and roots, offering an instant lawn solution. Due to its weight and perishable nature, sod is typically delivered stacked on wooden pallets for efficient transport. Knowing the precise coverage area of a single pallet is necessary for accurate planning and budgeting for any turf replacement or new lawn project.
The Standard Coverage of a Grass Pallet
A full pallet of sod is generally standardized within the turf industry, though coverage can vary slightly by supplier. The most common industry standard is 450 square feet. This quantity is frequently used by sod farms and distributors as a benchmark for sales and delivery logistics.
A 450 square foot pallet usually contains 150 to 170 individual pieces of sod, often called slabs or rolls. These pieces are commonly cut to 16 inches by 24 inches, or 2.67 square feet per piece, allowing for consistent stacking. The total weight of a full pallet can range from 2,300 to 3,000 pounds, depending on moisture content and grass type. While some suppliers offer 500 square feet, 450 square feet serves as a reliable average for initial project planning.
Variations in Pallet Size and Coverage
The actual square footage delivered on a pallet is not fixed and can fluctuate based on regional industry practices and the type of grass. While 450 square feet is common, pallet sizes typically range from 400 to 500 square feet, occasionally reaching 700 square feet for specialized products. These variations are often linked to the physical dimensions of the sod pieces cut by the farm’s harvesting equipment.
Regional differences influence pallet size. In the Southern United States, warm-season grasses like St. Augustine or Bermuda are cut into slabs, resulting in pallets covering 400 or 450 square feet. In Northern regions, cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass are sometimes packaged in rolls, which can lead to a pallet containing 500 or more square feet. Always confirm the exact coverage with the local supplier before placing an order to ensure accurate project calculation.
Calculating How Many Pallets You Need
Determining the number of pallets required begins with precisely measuring the area slated for sod installation. For simple rectangular or square areas, multiply the length by the width. For irregularly shaped lawns, divide the area into smaller geometric shapes (squares, rectangles, and triangles), calculate the area of each section, and add them together.
Once the total square footage of the project is established, it is necessary to factor in a buffer for waste, which accounts for the material lost during trimming and shaping around obstacles like garden beds or walkways. Industry professionals typically recommend adding a waste factor of 5% to 10% to the total square footage. A 5% waste factor is suitable for simple, straight-edged areas, while a 10% factor is safer for complex lawns with many curves or angles, ensuring enough material is available to finish the job without running short.
The final step is to divide the total adjusted square footage by the confirmed coverage area of one full pallet from the supplier. For instance, if the total area including the waste factor is 1,320 square feet, and the supplier’s pallet covers 450 square feet, the calculation is 1,320 divided by 450, which equals 2.93 pallets. Since sod cannot be ordered in fractions, this number must always be rounded up to the next whole number, meaning three full pallets would be required to complete the installation.