Are you planning on redoing your front or backyard? If so, you’ll probably want to pick up one (or several) rolls of sod to cover every square inch of your outdoor property. The only way to know how many rolls of sod you’ll need is by knowing its dimensions.
When rolled up, sod typically measures 2 feet (61 centimeters) in diameter by 5 feet (152 centimeters) in length. The standard thickness of a roll of sod is 1 inch (2.54 centimeters).
While that answers the question of what the dimensions of a roll of sod are, there is still plenty more to learn. In this guide, I’ll cover what sod is, the exact dimensions and weight of sod rolls, as well as its alternative—i.e., sod slabs.
What is Sod?
Before we jump into the various sod roll dimensions, it’s important that we first establish what sod is.
For all intents and purposes, sod is simply grass. To be more specific, sod is grass that has been cut out of the ground, rolled up or stored as slabs. People purchase slabs if they don’t want to go through the trouble of growing their own grass.
Sod, which also goes by the name “turf,” remains in a single sheet or slab by the grass’ roots. The roots are clumped and held in place by a thin layer of dirt. The grass and dirt get transported to the customer’s property for installation.
Sod Roll Sizes
The moment you step foot into a sod retailer, such as Home Depot, or if you do a simple internet search, you may come across sod rolls of various sizes.
Based on my research, sod rolls generally measure 2 feet (61 centimeters) in width. However, brands vary when it comes to the roll’s width.
Some suppliers produce sod rolls that are 2 × 5 feet (61 × 152 centimeters) that cover 10 square feet (0.92 square meters), while others prepare rolls that measure 2 × 4.5 feet (61 × 137 centimeters) to cover 9 square feet (0.84 square meters). Boss Sod produces sod rolls that measure between 16 and 24 inches wide (41 and 61 centimeters) by 90 inches to 115 feet (229 centimeters to 35.1 meters) long!
Then there are custom sizes that you can negotiate with dealers. For instance, Big Foot Turf supplies Magnum rolls, where a single roll covers as much as 300 square feet (27.87 square meters). These are ideal for spacious yards in front of corporate offices and government buildings.
As for the thickness of sod rolls, most suppliers generally stick to 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) thicknesses. However, there are variances in thicknesses caused by factors like grass type and how long the roll has been unused.
Sod Weights
So, we’ve covered the basics of sod roll dimensions. Now, let’s quickly go over its weight.
Sod Roll Weight
In general, there are 3 factors that go into determining the weight of the roll of sod—namely, the size, the type of grass, and how moisture-laden the roll is.
According to BC Instant Lawns and Landscapes, its 2 × 4.5-foot (61 × 152-centimeter) rolls that measure 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) thick will weigh a minimum of 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms).
However, most homeowners and businesses will not buy a single roll of sod. More often than not, customers will want to purchase sod rolls by the pallet.
Pallet Weight
The actual weight of a pallet of sod rolls will depend on how many rolls the supplier can place on a single pallet.
The folks at Sod Solutions claim that they can place up to 100 miniature rolls (18 × 40 inches or 7 × 16 centimeters) on a single pallet. As for large sod rolls measuring 18 × 80 inches (7 × 31 centimeters), they can fit up to 70 sod rolls per pallet.
So, if we use Sod Solution’s average weight per sod roll of 15 to 30 pounds (6.8 to 13.6 kilograms), a pallet of miniature sod rolls can measure between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds, while a pallet of large sod rolls can weigh as much 3,333 pounds (1,512 kilograms).
Sod Slabs
A sod slab differs from sod rolls in shape. A sod slab is simply a “sheet” of grass. Customers can install slabs of sod by placing them next to each other to cover the entire surface of their lawns.
Similar to unrolled sod rolls, sod slabs are rectangular in shape. The guys at Lawn Chick claim that their 16 × 24-inch (41 × 61-centimeter) sod slabs will weigh anywhere from 15 to 30 pounds (6.8 to 13.6 kilograms). These are the standard dimensions and weights for sod slabs.
Again, the weight of a slab of sod or a pallet of sod slabs will depend on the type of grass used, how moist the sod is, and its harvested size.
FAQs About Sod
1. Roll vs. slab—which is better?
Sod slabs are a lot easier to transport, carry, and install than rolls of sod. This is due to their simple-to-grab rectangular shape. However, a single roll or a pallet of rolls will cover a larger surface area than singular slabs or pallets of sod slabs. To learn the specifics of what makes a roll superior to a slab or vice versa, you will have to contact the supplier.
2. How much does a roll of sod cost?
The price of a sod roll will depend on what type of grass is used and the harvested size. You can get a pretty good cost estimate by using the helpful online services at Home Advisor to determine how much you will end up spending on covering your entire yard.
3. How long can sod sit on a pallet?
It’s generally believed that rolls or slabs of sod can sit on a pallet for up to 24 hours. After that, the rolls may begin to dry out and become increasingly more difficult to unfurl without cracking. Slabs typically don’t have a cracking problem, but their dirt and roots may begin to dehydrate, which will make it more difficult to incorporate into the existing soil on your lawn.
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