Base Prep — Family-owned, 4.9★ rated, 15-year warranty
So you've got a basketball court or tennis setup in mind for your Dunwoody backyard, and you're trying to figure out whether artificial turf makes sense for your lot. Smart move—we've installed plenty of sport courts across DeKalb County, and the suburban properties around Georgetown, Winters Chapel, and Dunwoody Village present some real opportunities when you get the base prep right. The clay soil in this area can actually work in your favor once we address drainage and compaction properly. Most homeowners here are dealing with either dense shade from mature trees or pockets of sun that shift throughout the day, and that affects how your court performs season to season. We're based just 28 minutes away, so we know the neighborhood quirks—the way water sits after heavy rain, which lots tend to have HOA landscape guidelines, and how much prep work your specific yard actually needs before turf goes down. This isn't a one-size-fits-all conversation. Your lot in Dunwoody might need different base preparation than the house two streets over, depending on grading, existing hardscape, and what you're building on top of.
Dunwoody sits on DeKalb clay, which is dense and doesn't drain naturally like sandy soil does. Before we even think about laying artificial turf for a sport court, we're looking at what's already happening with water on your property. If you're near Perimeter Mall or in the flatter sections of Dunwoody Village, drainage patterns can be tricky—heavy Atlanta-area rain can pool if the base isn't engineered right. We typically excavate 4–6 inches depending on your existing grade, then layer in crushed stone and a geotextile fabric to manage that clay underneath. The shade situation matters too. Lots backing up to Brook Run Park or properties with mature oaks often have dappled sunlight, which is actually fine for synthetic turf. Full sun exposure is easier to manage, but we've got experience working in mixed-light yards across all three Dunwoody ZIP codes. Many homeowners here also have HOA guidelines—check your docs before we break ground, because some communities have specific material approval requirements or color restrictions. Your yard size probably ranges from a quarter-acre to maybe half-acre in these neighborhoods, which means we're usually looking at a 20×40 or 30×50 court footprint. Compaction and proper sub-base installation are non-negotiable in clay soil; skip those steps and you'll have settlement issues within a season.
Absolutely. DeKalb clay doesn't drain on its own, so we excavate, add crushed stone base, and use geotextile fabric to separate the clay from your new base. This prevents settling and waterlogging, which would ruin your court surface. It's extra work upfront, but it's what keeps your court level and playable year-round in Dunwoody's weather.
Most do, but requirements vary by neighborhood—Georgetown, Winters Chapel, and Dunwoody Village have different rules. We recommend checking your HOA docs or asking your board before we start. We've worked with dozens of Dunwoody communities and can help you navigate approval if needed.
Dappled shade from mature trees around Brook Run Park or other wooded lots works fine. Total shade isn't ideal—algae and moss can develop. If your yard gets 4+ hours of direct sun, you're in good shape. We assess your specific light patterns before recommending turf type.
Depending on lot size and clay conditions, base prep takes 2–4 days. Once that's done and settled, turf installation is usually 1–2 days. Total project timeline is typically a week from excavation to finished court, weather permitting.
Call (706) 701-8873 or visit instant.lawnlogicturf.com — 60-second quotes, no pressure.