How to Measure Your Balcony for Artificial Turf (Simple Guide)

One of the most common questions we get is: "How do I measure my balcony for turf?" It's the first step in getting an accurate quote, and the good news is that it's genuinely simple. You don't need special tools, professional experience, or a contractor — just a tape measure and five minutes. In this guide, we'll walk you through the entire process step by step, show you how to calculate your cost at $10 per square foot, and cover how to handle trickier balcony shapes.

Before measuring — a typical bare concrete balcony.

What You'll Need

Measuring your balcony requires exactly three things:

• A tape measure — any standard 25-foot tape measure works. If you don't have one, a measuring wheel or even a laser distance measure will do, but a basic tape measure is all you need.
• A pen and paper (or your phone's notes app) — to jot down the dimensions.
• A calculator (or your phone) — for the simple math.

That's it. No special equipment, no professional tools. If you can measure a room, you can measure a balcony.

Step 1: Measure the Length and Width

Start by measuring the longest straight edge of your balcony — this is usually the wall side, running parallel to your sliding glass door. Measure from one end to the other. Write down this number as your length.

Next, measure the perpendicular distance — from the wall (or sliding door) out to the railing. This is your width. Write it down.

For a standard rectangular balcony, you're already done. Multiply length × width to get your square footage:

Example: Length = 10 feet, Width = 7 feet. Square footage = 10 × 7 = 70 sq ft.

At $10/sq ft, your cost would be: 70 × $10 = $700.

Step 2: Handle Irregular Shapes

Not every balcony is a perfect rectangle. Miami condos have all kinds of balcony shapes — L-shaped, angled corners, curved railings, notches for columns or AC units. Here's how to handle the most common shapes:

L-Shaped Balconies

Break an L-shaped balcony into two rectangles. Measure each section separately, calculate the area of each, and add them together.

Example: The main section is 8 × 5 = 40 sq ft. The smaller section is 4 × 3 = 12 sq ft. Total: 40 + 12 = 52 sq ft. Cost: 52 × $10 = $520.

Angled or Cut Corners

If your balcony has a diagonal corner (common in corner units), measure the two straight sides and calculate the area as if it were a full rectangle, then subtract the triangular missing section.

Example: If the cut corner removes a triangle that's 2 × 2 feet, that's roughly 2 sq ft. Subtract it from your total.

Round or Curved Balconies

For curved balconies (common in some Miami Beach Art Deco buildings), measure the widest length and the widest width. Multiply them to get an approximate area — then subtract about 15% for the curve. It doesn't need to be exact; we'll verify measurements on installation day and you only pay for what you actually need.

Obstructions

If your balcony has a structural column, AC unit, or other permanent fixture, measure around it. Our installers custom-cut the turf to fit around obstructions seamlessly — it's part of the installation at no extra charge. For pricing purposes, measure the full balcony area and subtract the footprint of any large permanent obstruction (but don't worry about small things like railing posts).

After — the measured balcony, now covered in lush turf.

Step 3: Calculate Your Cost

Our pricing is simple: $10 per square foot, with a minimum project size of $499. Here's how the math works:

Note: The $499 minimum applies to any balcony under 50 sq ft. If your balcony is 35 sq ft, you still pay $499 — that's our minimum project size. Balconies 50 sq ft and above are priced at exactly $10 × square footage.

Step 4: What's Included in the Price

Every quote at $10/sq ft is all-inclusive. There are no hidden fees, no surprise charges, no line items you weren't expecting. Here's what's covered:

• Premium UV-resistant turf — engineered for South Florida's intense sun, with quick-drainage perforated backing.
• Professional installation — our experienced installer handles every step, from surface prep to custom cutting to securing and cleanup.
• Surface preparation — we clean and prep the existing surface, whether it's concrete, tile, or another material.
• Custom cutting — irregular shapes, columns, curves, and angles are all included at no extra charge.
• Securing method — the turf is held in place with a removable, non-damaging system. No permanent adhesives.
• Full cleanup — we leave your balcony spotless and haul away all scraps and materials.

The entire installation takes 1–3 hours depending on size, and you can use your balcony the same day.

Bare feet on turf — soft, cool, and comfortable. That's the payoff.

Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid

Measuring your balcony is simple, but there are a few common mistakes that can throw off your quote:

1. Measuring Inside the Railing

Measure to the inside edge of the railing — that's the usable surface area where the turf will go. Don't measure to the outer edge of the railing itself.

2. Forgetting the Height Clearance

If you have a very low ceiling overhang or your balcony is on a lower floor with limited clearance, let us know. It doesn't affect the square footage, but it can affect installation logistics.

3. Not Accounting for the Sliding Door Track

The turf starts at the outside edge of your sliding door track. Don't include the track itself in your measurement — but do measure right up to it.

4. Being Too Precise

Your measurement doesn't need to be exact to the inch. We'll verify all measurements on installation day and adjust the turf cut accordingly. An estimate within a few inches is perfectly fine for quoting purposes.

Ready to Get Your Quote?

Now that you know how to measure your balcony, getting a quote takes less than five minutes. Head to our quote form, enter your dimensions, and we'll give you an exact price — no hidden fees, no pressure, no obligation.

Not sure about your HOA's requirements? Check our HOA approval guide or our Brickell installation guide for building-specific tips. And if you're a renter, read our renter-friendly turf guide — yes, you can turf your balcony even if you don't own.

Call us at (728) 240-4020 or email [email protected] with any questions. We serve all of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.