"All pavers or all turf?" is the wrong question. Ask where you want to sit, walk, and look instead. Pavers go where you walk and entertain, and turf goes where you want something soft and green. The best yards we've built run about 60/40 pavers to turf.
What Goes Where
- Pavers: driveways, walkways, patios under furniture, pool surrounds, BBQ pads, any transition zone.
- Turf: where kids and dogs play, the side yard strip, ribbons between paver bands, anywhere you want green.
- Decomposed granite or rock: low water plant beds and slopes.
The Drainage Rule Nobody Tells You
Pavers drain through their joints and turf drains through its backing, so they need different bedding. Pavers sit on a 4 inch compacted base, and turf sits on 2 to 3 inches of a different aggregate. Put one base under both and you'll get pooling at the seam after the first monsoon.
Not sure about the proportions? We sketch a site plan during the free estimate. And if you're pulling out real grass, it may qualify for the SNWA water rebate.
Want a sketch of your yard before you commit?