Skip to Content

How Big is Sod? Sizes, Thickness, Weight, Lifespan (2023)

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

how big is sodDreaming of a lush, green lawn? Sod may be the answer! If you’re looking to learn more about how big sod is and what sizes are available, we’ve got all the info you need. From thickness and weight to lifespan and ordering tips – understanding your options will help ensure that your yard looks its best.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard sod dimensions are 16 feet wide by 24 feet long, with thickness ranging from 1 to 3 inches.
  • Sod rolls are typically 4.5 feet by 2 feet, covering 9 square feet, and weighing between 8 and 100 pounds.
  • A pallet of sod holds approximately 100 pieces, with dimensions of 4 feet by 4 feet.
  • When ordering sod, it is recommended to get 10% extra for installation purposes.

Sod Dimensions and Sizes

Sod Dimensions and Sizes
When purchasing sod for your lawn project, it’s important to understand standard sod dimensions and sizes.

The typical dimensions for a piece of sod are 16 inches wide by 24 inches long, with common variations among suppliers. The thickness generally ranges from 1 to 3 inches depending on the grass type and soil depth, so measure the height to determine the required thickness for your yard.

Sod weight varies based on moisture content and thickness, but is generally 15 to 30 pounds per piece. A full pallet contains around 100 sod pieces and weighs 1,500 to 3,000 pounds, so be sure to buy recently cut sod for optimal results.

Standard Sod Size

You’re laying down sod pieces that are typically 16 inches wide and 24 inches long. To calculate the yard square footage for sod installation, multiply the piece’s width by its length. Sod comes in various standard sizes from suppliers, so make sure to compare sod varieties, costs, and delivery options when planning your lawn project.

Sod Thickness

Your lawn deserves sod thick enough to thrive.

  • Sod thickness ranges from 1 to 3 inches.
  • Measuring soil depth determines the required thickness.
  • Thicker sod holds moisture better.
  • Thinner sod is cheaper but dries out faster.
  • Optimal thickness balances cost and performance.

Sod Weight

Depending on how sodden it feels, that grass carpet could weigh anywhere from 15 to 30 pounds. Moisture levels drastically impact sod weight. Fresher, wetter sod feels much heavier when handling and transporting rolls.

Pallet of Sod

You’ll buy pallets of freshly cut sod for best results during installation.

  • Pallet capacity ranges from 100 pieces to 200 rolls.
  • Weighs 1,500 to 3,000 lbs based on moisture.
  • Standard dimensions are 4×4 feet.
  • Use pallets for storing and transporting sod.
  • Opt for smaller pallets for easy lifting and moving.

Sod Lifespan

Can’t sod spoil your plans if you’ve properly laid it within its fleeting 5 days of life.

Sod can last up to 5 days when rolled up, depending on weather conditions:

Sod Type Ideal Hot & Dry
Bermuda 4 days 2 days
Fescue 3 days 1 day
St. Augustine 5 days 3 days

Ordering Tips

You should order 10% extra sod to avoid running out during installation, as the old saying goes, measure twice, cut once. Select high-quality, fresh sod for optimal results. Calculate the total yardage and add 10% when ordering from suppliers.

Well-maintained sod ensures a lush lawn. Carefully installing extra pieces prevents bare patches.

Sod Roll Sizes and Transportation

Sod Roll Sizes and Transportation
Transportation of sod is a key consideration when estimating total project requirements. First, you’ll need to know the standard sod roll sizes, which are typically around 4 feet long by 2 feet wide, as well as the average weight per roll based on factors like soil moisture content.

Then, determine your vehicle’s hauling capacity, such as a half-ton pickup transporting 500-1,000 square feet or a one-ton truck carrying up to 1,800 square feet combined with a trailer. With this information, you can properly estimate the sod quantities and transportation needed for your lawn project.

Sod Roll Sizes

The seductive scent of freshly cut grass wafts through the air as you gently unroll those vibrant green sod carpets, envisioning the flawless lawn awaiting just beyond the horizon. When preparing for installation, first determine your project’s square footage to calculate the number of standard 4.

5 by 2-foot rolls needed, factoring moisture content and soil type into the estimated 8 to 100-pound weight per roll. Anticipate variations in roll dimensions from different suppliers, planning for the proper thickness to match your existing soil depth.

Sod Roll Weight

My friend, that sod roll’s weight varies widely, like the winds of change, from a feather’s 8 lbs to a boulder’s 100 lbs, shaped by weather, soil, and thickness. Determining the sod roll weight prior helps plan transportation logistics and calculate project costs.

Variations in sod roll weight impact pallets required, truck capacity, and installation efforts. Yet despite the challenges of variable weights, sod rolls offer landscaping benefits – uniformity, durability, and natural beauty.

Careful planning and preparation enable successfully installing sod rolls, fulfilling dreams of beautiful lawns.

Transportation Capacity

Rely on smaller vehicles to transport limited sod quantities, while heavy-duty trucks can facilitate moving thousands of square feet of sod rolls.

Vehicle Type Carrying Capacity Total w/ Trailer
Ford F-150 500 sq ft 1000 sq ft
Ford F-250 800 sq ft 1600 sq ft
Ford F-350 900 sq ft 1800 sq ft

When transporting sod, carefully consider vehicle size and hauling capacity. Larger trucks allow for efficient delivery of high sod volumes.

Understanding Sod Pieces and Slabs

Understanding Sod Pieces and Slabs
Sod comes in pieces and slabs that vary in dimensions. Standard-sized sod pieces are 16 inches wide by 24 inches long, covering around 2.7 square feet. Sod slabs can be double this size at 32×48 inches, covering around 6 square feet.

Sod Piece Size

You’ll often find sod pieces and slabs around 16 inches wide by 24 inches long, though suppliers may vary the standard dimensions. Sod piece sizes can range based on preferences. Consider soil depth and order 10% extra for waste when installing sod pieces.

Opt for fresher, thicker sod pieces to extend lifespan. Weigh pieces to ensure adequate moisture content and transport capacity.

Sod Slab Size

Your lawn blankets the ground like a green quilt once those sod slabs seamlessly stitch it together. Sod slabs range from 1 to 3 inches thick, weighing 15 to 30 pounds each. Proper installation and maintenance ensure slabs knit together, providing an instant, lush lawn.

Their durability withstands activity while preventing erosion. Mow and water slabs once established for a flawless, vibrant carpet of grass.

Square Footage of Sod Pieces

Stop guessing – know a standard sod piece covers 1 square foot. The classic dimensions are 16 inches by 24 inches or 41 centimeters by 61 centimeters.

  1. Weigh 15-30 pounds depending on soil and moisture.
  2. Allow a 1/4 inch gap between pieces for expansion.
  3. Water thoroughly after installing to encourage root growth.

Knowing the size and weight will help estimate materials. Proper installation and care ensure a lush lawn.

Sod Roll Dimensions and Standard Size

Sod Roll Dimensions and Standard Size
Let’s discuss the standard dimensions of sod rolls. Sod rolls typically come in a size of 4.5 feet long by 2 feet wide, with a standard thickness of 1 inch. This equates to a total sod roll size of 9 square feet.

When estimating your sod needs, it’s helpful to understand the standard dimensions of sod rolls.

Standard Sod Roll Size

The standard sod roll measures 4.5 feet long by 2 feet wide, covering about 9 square feet of ground. Though sod roll sizes can vary, this dimension is the most common and allows for efficient installation.

Prepare the soil before laying the sod rolls in rows, slightly overlapping the edges. Water sod rolls daily for two weeks, then weekly if rainfall is less than an inch. Sod rolls establish faster than seed and provide an instant lawn but require more intensive maintenance.

Dimensions of a Sod Roll

Naturally, a sod roll’s usual dimensions run about 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1 inch thick, so plan accordingly when calculating how many rolls are needed for the yard.

Sod roll sizes can vary, with some as small as 18 inches x 24 inches. The thickness ranges from 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches.

Storing rolls upright and watering daily extends lifespan up to 5 days.

Sod rolls provide an instant, lush lawn without waiting for seed to germinate.

Sod roll dimensions differ slightly but generally maintain the standard 4×2 feet size. Understanding the factors affecting weight and storage allows proper planning when installing sod rolls.

With the right preparations, rolls offer a convenient, beautiful lawn solution.

How Many Rolls of Sod on a Pallet?

How Many Rolls of Sod on a Pallet
A pallet typically holds around 100 pieces of sod. The exact number can vary based on a few factors:

  • Sod Roll Dimensions – Standard rolls are 16 inches wide by 24 inches long, but sizes can range smaller or larger.
  • Sod Weight – Thicker, heavier sod will result in fewer pieces per pallet to avoid exceeding weight limits.
  • Pallet Capacity – Most pallets hold 1,500 – 3,000 lbs. Heavier sod leads to reduced pallet capacity.
  • Sod Roll Variations – Non-standard roll sizes, like 4′ by 18 or 2′ by 6′, affect capacity.
  • Transportation Method – Larger vehicles and trailers allow bigger, heavier pallets.

So while 100 sod rolls per pallet is typical, the exact quantity can shift up or down by 10-20% depending on the unique specifications of that sod order and transportation requirements.

How Much Does a Roll of Sod Weigh?

How Much Does a Roll of Sod Weigh
Mate, a sod roll weighs 8 to 100 pounds depending on thickness, soil type, and moisture content.

Roll weight varies between grass type, thickness, and moisture level. Thicker, denser grass in wet soil makes a heavier roll.

Standard rolls weigh 15-30 lbs but could be up to 100 lbs. Handling heavy rolls requires teamwork or lifting equipment.

Rolls feel lighter when dry, but will gain pounds as moisture is absorbed from wet soil or rain.

Weigh rolls onsite before loading pallets to confirm load capacity and prevent overloading vehicles.

Estimating average roll weights for each pallet is prudent to avoid accidents and injuries.

Plan for weight fluctuations when transporting sod rolls. Carefully load pallets to stay within vehicle limits.

Handle sod rolls as a team if necessary. With proper planning and caution, transporting sod rolls can be safe and efficient.

Determining the Thickness of Sod

Determining the Thickness of Sod
You’ll need to measure the soil height to find the right sod thickness for your lawn project. The thickness of sod typically ranges from 1 to 3 inches, though the ideal thickness depends on the existing soil depth.

Use a ruler or tape measure to check the height of the soil across the installation area, pressing down lightly as you measure. For soil 2 to 3 inches deep, choose 1 to 1.5 inch thick sod. If you have 4 to 6 inches of soil, opt for 1.

5 to 2 inch sod. If you have more than 6 inches of soil, you can use 2 to 3 inch sod.

Consider using thinner sod for sloped areas to avoid erosion. Before laying the sod, make sure to prepare the soil by removing debris and leveling any low spots. Proper soil preparation and measuring for sod thickness will lead to a lush and healthy lawn.

Calculating the Quantity of Sod Needed

Calculating the Quantity of Sod Needed
When determining how much sod you’ll need, start by measuring the area you want to cover. Use a measuring tape to get the length and width of the space in feet. Multiply the length by the width to calculate the square footage.

It’s also helpful to break up irregularly shaped areas into smaller rectangles or squares and calculate each section separately, then add them together.

Next, determine how much sod is needed per square foot. Sod pieces are commonly 16 by 24 inches. With 16-inch widths, divide the square footage by 1.33 to get an estimate of sod pieces needed.

Having some extra sod on hand for patching or replacements is recommended. Finally, decide if you’ll transport sod yourself or order delivery.

Carefully measure and plan sod needs for an efficient project.

Estimating the Cost of Sod

Estimating the Cost of Sod
You’ve gotta budget around $0.80 to $1.00 per square foot when estimating the cost of that sod you’ll be laying down.

Here’s a few key things to keep in mind when planning your sod project budget:

  • Type of grass: The species of grass you select can impact cost. Hybrid grasses often cost more than common types like fescue.
  • Delivery fees: Have the supplier quote delivery charges upfront. This is a hidden cost for some.
  • Site preparation: Account for expenses like clearing and grading that need to happen before laying sod.

The precise sod price depends on factors like your location, grass species, and supplier.

And remember, while sod installation requires an initial investment, you’ll reap the rewards of a lush, green lawn for years to come.

Choosing the Right Sod for Your Lawn

Choosing the Right Sod for Your Lawn
Being aware of the most common types of grasses used for sod will help you pick the right one for your specific lawn and climate conditions.

Consider St. Augustine grass for warm climates since it tolerates heat, humidity, and partial shade.

Fescue grass thrives in cool northern regions and is shade-tolerant. Bluegrass works well for cold winters and is soft underfoot.

Evaluate your soil texture and compatibility with different sod grass varieties. This affects maintenance needs.

Research ideal sod installation and care tips for your sod variety. Proper initial watering, mowing height, fertilization, etc.

Choosing the right grass for your specific climate and lawn conditions leads to healthier, easier-to-maintain lawns.

Conclusion

In the end, understanding how big sod is and the many options available for purchase is key to achieving lawn success. From knowing the standard size of sod pieces and slabs to calculating the weight and thickness of sod rolls, there are many factors to consider when selecting the best sod for your project.

Additionally, taking into account the estimated cost and the number of pallets or rolls needed, you can ensure that your lawn looks stunning for years to come.

Avatar for Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim is a published author and software engineer and agriculture expert from the US. To date, he has helped thousands of people make their yards lush and thick.