Lawn guide
Average garden sizes, and what they mean for turfing
Not sure how big your lawn is? Most people underestimate. Here's a rough guide to typical lawn sizes for different kinds of homes around Tyneside, and how size shapes a turfing job.
Typical lawn sizes by home
| Type of home | Typical lawn area | What's common |
|---|---|---|
| Tyneside flat or terrace yard | Under 20 m² | Walled yard, back-lane gate, shade from walls |
| Victorian or Edwardian terrace | 20 to 50 m² | Long, narrow plot, access through the house |
| 1930s semi | 50 to 120 m² | Long back garden, side gate, front lawn too |
| Post-war or 1960s semi | 40 to 100 m² | Squarer plot, open-plan front lawn |
| New-build semi or detached | 30 to 80 m² | Clay under thin topsoil, fenced square plot |
| Larger detached | 150 m² and up | Several lawn areas, slopes, mature trees |
These are broad ranges for illustration. The only way to know your size is to measure.
Why size isn't the whole story
Size sets the amount of turf, but the time and cost of a job depend on everything else too. A 30 m² terrace lawn that has to be carried through the house can take as long as a 70 m² semi with a side gate and good soil.
Lawns also tend to be smaller than people think once you take out borders, paths, sheds and patios. Measuring just the grass area gives a far better figure than guessing from the size of the plot.
A quick way to measure
Split the lawn into shapes
Most lawns are a rectangle, or a few rectangles joined together.
Measure each one
Length times width for each rectangle, in metres.
Add them up
That's your lawn area in square metres.
Allow a little extra
Add about 5% for offcuts, or 10% if there are lots of curves.
Turf rolls and square metres
A standard roll of turf covers about one square metre. So a 40 m² lawn needs roughly 42 rolls once you allow 5% for offcuts. When we lay your lawn we work out the turf for you, but it's a handy check.
Common questions
How many rolls of turf do I need for a 50 m² lawn?
About 53 rolls, allowing 5% for offcuts, since each roll covers roughly one square metre.
Should I measure the whole garden or just the lawn?
Just the area you want turfed. Leave out borders, paths and patios.