Using sod is one of the easiest and quickest ways of establishing a lawn from scratch. All you have to do is visit a lawn care company in your area or call their number, and the very next day, they will deliver the sod to your doorstep.
In this article, you will be able to answer how many square feet in a pallet of sod.
Lawn companies sell sod by the pallets, which come in different shapes and sizes.
Different companies sell and cut sod in various sizes. That is why it is often difficult for the lawn owners to precisely assess how many pallets of sod they should order and how many square feet a pallet of sod will cover.
Most variations in pallet size come from the desired stacking height and the weight for shipping. Size and measurements will also vary depending on the grass type, soil type, size of sod pieces and moisture content.
Most sod pallets range from 400 to 700 square feet and weigh between 1,500 to 3,000 pounds.
However, the weight of a pallet can increase up to 50 percent if it is wet. So, when buying new sod for your lawn, you will have to keep all of these things in mind, and we are here to help you out. So, let’s dive right in!
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Purchasing Sod Pallets
Sod pallets come in different sizes and weights, depending on the vendor.
As already stated, every company cuts sod in different sizes and packs their pallets slightly differently. Always check with your sod vendor and be sure about what you are getting. Nonetheless, here is a few things that you should know while purchasing sod:
1. Size Of Sod Pallets
The most common sizes of sod pallets are 300, 400, 450 and 500 square feet. However, some companies make pallets of up to 700 square feet in size.
2. Weight Of Sod Pallets
If you are planning to order and pick sod pallets on your own, make sure that you keep the weight of a pallet into account. Also, note that the weight of a wet sod pallet is drastically different from a dry one.
3. Type Of Sod Pallet
While purchasing sod for your lawn, make sure that you order the grass you need.
4. Price of Sod Pallet
The price of sod varies depending on the type of grass being used and the shipping costs. So, make sure that you discuss these with your vendor beforehand.
What Is The Square Footage Of A Pallet?
The standard size of a US pallet is 48″ x 40″.
One of the main reasons why you need to know how many square feet are in a pallet of sod is because companies quote prices for sod based on the number of pallets being ordered.
So, if you do not understand the square footage of a pallet, it would be very challenging to figure out whether or not you are getting a good deal.
Sod pellets come in different sizes and different shapes. What is even more confusing is that these different sizes and shapes of sod pallets have different names.
Understanding this naming system is the first thing you should do before purchasing sod pallets for your new lawn.
This will help you understand what you are getting, how much sod or how many pallets you should order and what will be the approximate cost. So, let’s look at these terminologies and the square footage of each type:
1. Slab
Simply put, a sod slab is a sheet of grass.
If you live in the southern parts of the United States, you are most likely to find sod in the form of slabs. Sod pallets of grasses such as Bermuda grass, Centipede grass, Zoysia grass and St. Augustine grass are in the form of sod slabs.
These sod pallets typically come in three size variations: 400 square feet, 450 square feet and 500 square feet. These sod slabs are generally rectangular in shape, although some companies might sell sod slabs in the form of squares.
Nonetheless, each rectangular sod slab generally measures around 16 inches in width and 24 inches in length. In other words, it means that each sod slab on its own will cover an area of approximately 2.66 square feet.
One thing to keep in mind while buying sod slabs is that you should always get a quote per square foot of sod instead of just getting a quote for the number of pallets being ordered.
2. Mini Hand Roll
As the name suggests, sod mini hand rolls are small enough to be fitted by hand.
Sod mini rolls have become increasingly popular over the recent years. Unlike sod slabs, you are most likely to find sod pallets being sold in the form of mini hand rolls in northern cool-season markets.
Sod pallets of grasses that are sold in the form of mini hand rolls include Kentucky bluegrass, Perennial ryegrass, Bermuda grass and fescue grass.
On average, each mini roll measures around 40 inches in length and 18 inches in width. In other words, it means that by using a mini hand roll, you will be able to cover an area of around five square feet on your lawn.
Sod pallets sold like this typically contain around 80 mini hand rolls. It means that you will be able to cover an area of around 400 square feet using a single sod pallet that is being sold in the form of mini hand rolls.
These mini hand rolls are easy to install and move around. So, if you plan on installing sod on your own, we highly recommend that you order a sod pallet that comes in the form of mini rolls.
3. Large Roll
Large rolls are popular in the northern regions of the country.
Also known as big rolls, these sod rolls are installed using a machine. They are specially designed for large turf areas and sports fields. A single roll alone can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds, and it can cover an area of around $300 square feet.
However, these big rolls also come in larger sizes that cover an area of around 500, 600, and 700 square feet each. Sod pallets of grasses that are typically sold in the form of large pallets include tall fescue grass and Kentucky Bluegrass.
Pallets that come in this form typically contain around 50 big rolls. So, you can cover quite a large area using a pallet of big rolls. Big rolls can save clients a lot of money as well.
It is because they are installed using machines that saves on labor costs.
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So, How many square feet come in a pallet of sod?
Here is a brief summary of the things mentioned above in the form of a table to sum things up. Hopefully, it will be helpful for you while purchasing sod for your lawns:
| Type of Sod Pallet | Typical Square Feet Per Pallet |
| Slab | 400, 450, or 500 |
| Mini Hand Roll | 400 to 500 |
| Large Roll | 300, 500, 600, or 700 |
Tips For Purchasing Sod Pallets
Make sure that sod is weed and pest free before buying.
Purchasing sod can be quite tiresome if you do not know what you are doing. So, here we have listed a few tips that will help you out while buying sod from a vendor.
- Order around 10 percent more sod than your lawn area. It is because you have to account for measurement errors and material wastage.
- Make sure that you calculate the area of your lawn precisely before ordering sod pallets for your yard. There are many online tools that you can use for this.
- Get an exact estimate for the weight of sod at shipping. It will help you determine whether you need to rent a truck or if you can transport using your car.
- Try to buy the sod at a local market. That way, you can see if the grass is in good condition and whether or not there are any issues with the sod pallets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate how much sod I need?
It is easy. Simply calculate the area of your lawn by measuring its length and width. Multiply the two numbers together, and you have your lawn area. Now order the sod pallets accordingly and make sure to order around 10 percent more to account for waste.
How many yards are in a pallet of sod?
A typical sod palette contains around 50 yards of sod. However, as stated many times in the text above, different companies make pallets of different sizes. So, make sure that you check with your vendor to get an exact number.
How much does a pallet of sod run?
If you plan to get sod installed in your home, it will cost you anywhere between 30 cents to 50 cents per square foot. So, for an average 450 square feet lawn, you will have to spend around $450 on a sod pallet.
Sources For Further Reading
- Buying and Installing Certified Sod. Retrieved 27 May 2022, from Cooperative Extension | University of Delaware
- Sod Installation and Maintenance. Retrieved 27 May 2022, from Mississippi State University Extension Service
- Installing Sod – Steps for proper sod installation. Retrieved 27 May 2022, from Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
Now you know how many square feet in a pallet of sod! Also, check out our other articles:
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