How To Install Artificial Lawn

How To Lay Artificial Grass

Your DIY installation guide for artificial grass

We recommend a professional artificial lawn installation service but if you prefer to do it yourself, we hope you find these step by step instructions useful. Contact us if you have any questions about how to lay artificial grass.

The full installation process should take no more than one day. However, you will need to measure the lawn area in advance so you can buy the necessary amount of turf from your artificial grass supplier. You should also make sure you have all the right tools for the job before you start .

Once you have both the tools and the grass on-site, you can begin preparing the ground .

Unfurl The Artificial Let The Installation Begin

Ensure the grain of your Eco Lawn turf is running in the same direction when laying your lawn. Do not fold your lawn ensure that it is rolled up in between uses. Cut the lawn to whatever shape you desire using a sharp Stanley knife. Dont be stingy with additional blade purchases as you will need a few. A sharp blade means that cutting is easier and more accurate.

With most grass installations joins are inevitable so the seams will need to be cut as close to the grain to allow for seamless placement of the pieces when joining.

A gap of 2mm between the joins will assist towards a more professional result. Eyeball the area well and if it doesnt look good, fix it because after using grass pins and glueing your surfaces there is no going back! Get it right the first time is the motto here!

Does it look good? Yes? Start inserting grass pins approximately 20-25mm apart but leave a gap of 40cm from each join to allow the turf to be folded back when gluing or using joining tape.

Dont hammer the pins all the way in in case you wish to make changes after checking that the joins at this stage are just so.

Now secure the outside edges and allow the glow of a job well done descend upon your being, not for too long there will be plenty of time later for glow basking! It is now time to fill with sand.

How To Lay Artificial Grass : The Complete Guide

Artificial grass, lawn, astroturf or whatever you may call it isnt always simple to install, which is why we recommend using a professional to lay artificial grass for you. However, if you find yourself scratching your head and thinking How do I lay artificial grass?, then this is the guide for you.

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How To Fit Tighten & Secure The Turf:

Fasten one end of the turf with 60D nails, spaced 3″-4″ apart. Stretch turf tight, and fasten with nails as you move across to the opposite end. Trim any perimeter edges to fit. Place a nail every 3″-4″ along the perimeters and every 12″-24″ throughout the field. Be careful to not drive the nails too deep, as this will cause dips and divots. Also, avoid any blades or thatch catching under the nail heads.

Outsourcing Vs Diy Artificial Grass Installation: Which Is Better

So, youve made the decision to install artificial grass, and youre wondering whether to outsource the work or do it yourself. Maybe youre willing to pay the extra money to save yourself a hassle.

If you think youre up to the task of laying it yourself, you probably want to know for sure what youre getting yourself into.

As you consider your options and determine which one is best for you, there are some questions you should ask yourself along the way.

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How To Prep Ground For Artificial Lawn Installation

For years of enjoyment, do not skip any of these ground preparation steps when installing artificial turf.

• Remove the existing sod
• Compact the ground to prevent future settling
• Install weed barrier over the ground
• Add 4 decomposed granite base material
• Compact base material with a hand tamper or plate compactor
• Add 1/4 inch cushioning sand.

Artificial Grass Uplift Protection

There are a couple of ways to protect your turf from being pulled up by the wind. The most effective way is to use the frame method we went over above. This will make sure your turf is securely attached to prevent buckling on the edges. Another option is to put a heavy layer of infill down on top of the installed artificial grass. While this also helps prevent any uplifting, it restrains your options when cleaning your turf because it eliminates the ability to use a vacuum.

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How To Install An Artificial Lawn

This article was co-authored by Benjamin Hansen. Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 390,360 times.

With proper installation, an artificial lawn requires no regular maintenance apart from an occasional spray to keep it clean.XExpert SourceLicensed Landscape ContractorExpert Interview. 6 October 2020. The installation itself can be intense, especially for a large lawn, so recruit a few strong friends to help with the process.

Cover The Area With Foam Or Shock Pads

One downside to laying down artificial grass on a concrete or pavement surface is the lack of cushion. If you plan to have kids or pets playing in this area, padding is something youll likely want to consider to provide more cushioning for falls.

Roll out designated foam or shock pads onto the areas before laying down your turf.

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Make Sure The Ground Is Level And Compacted

In general, artificial grass is meant to be laid on a flat surface. Hills and dips might make for nice landscaping, but theyre a nightmare if youre installing artificial grass for the first time.

Take extra care when digging and compacting the ground that you keep the surface level. Even if the dirt isnt perfectly level, you can make up for it by adding more sub-base material where necessary. Whatever you do, though, make sure that by the time you roll out your artificial grass, the surface is flat.

Seem Like A Lot Of Work

It is! But the hard work of installing artificial grass will pay off. Youll be left with an artificial lawn that will look great, have zero watering costs, and require very little maintenance for years to come. However, if you think you could use some help with your project, dont hesitate to ask us when you call or visit your local Southwest Boulder & Stone location. We work with some of the best contractors in the business, and wed be happy to recommend one in your area. Best of luck with your synthetic grass project!

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Cut Edges Slightly Long

When you lay out the turf, youll have to trim the edges, like trimming carpeting around the perimeter of a room. Pros recommend a sharp utility knife for this, and always cut from the back.

Leave a few extra inches on the edges so you have something to tuck under borders or against walkways. If you leave too much, you can always cut more as a final step. But if you leave too little, you may end up with hard-to-hide gaps.

Secure the edges with landscape staples or landscape nails. You can use a carpet installers knee-kicker to stretch the turf and keep it free of wrinkles and loose areas.

How To Maintain Artificial Grass And Keep It Looking Great

To ensure your artificial turf is kept in adequate condition and looks pristine all year round, some regular maintenance is required. At the very minimum, to ensure the longevity and bounce-back of your fake grass lawn, brush it frequently to remove any soil, dirt or debris. Leaf blowers can be used to good effect if you have lots of surrounding trees or greenery. You should also wash your new surface to remove any dust after installing artificial grass. Do not jet or pressure wash as this will remove and/or disperse any infill that is present.

Regular brushing with a stiff natural bristle broom will help to keep fibres straight and even, making for a long-lasting and healthy-looking artificial lawn. Avoid using anything with stiff metal bristles like a brush or metal rake as this can tear at your artificial grass, creating unsightly rips and holes. When brushing, it is best to brush against the pile of lawn to help lift the pile best you can.

Additional advice for dog owners – don’t let your dog dig up the surface or pull at the edges. We advise removing any dog faeces as soon as possible by hosing down the area and gently brushing if required. During dry periods, we recommend hosing down the whole lawn in order to flush out residues. Lastly, unlike natural turf, a disinfectant can be applied to artificial grass, if necessary, to kill off any potentially harmful bacteria.

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How To Install Artificial Grass On Balconies Patios Rooftop Decks

A complete guide on how to install artificial grass on balconies, patios, rooftop decks, and other hard floor spaces. Determine if this is what you need. Learn about the differences between landscape and hard floor artificial grass installation. Find the right materials and approaches for balconies and rooftops. Prevent potential balcony artificial turf installation flaws.

Trim The Pieces Of The Fake Grass

With the pieces joined and comfortably sitting in their bed, its time to walk around the turfs edges and trim any pieces that might be protruding out of the desired place.

Grab the same sharp utility knife you used earlier and trim out everything you feel isnt needed.

Make sure not to trim too much because youll have to make patches that will interfere with the natural look of the turf.

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Ensure The Area Is Measured Properly

Oftentimes people don’t purchase enough artificial grass. When determining the amount of turf needed, make sure to use measurements from the widest points of your space. Artificial grass comes in rolls that are 15 ft. wide so often you’ll have to purchase more than needed and cut to size, make sure you factor that into your budget.

In some cases, it may be necessary to cut the grass before bringing it to the residence because the rolls may not fit through door frames.

Install 25mm Laying Course

For the laying course, rake and level approximately 25mm of granite dust directly on top of the sub-base. If using timber edging, the laying course should be levelled to the top of the timber. Again, ensure this is thoroughly compacted with a vibrating plate compactor. Before doing this, we recommend spraying the granite dust with water to keep the dust down it also helps the aggregate to bind together.

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Remove The Current Surface

Removing the current surface includes everything from pulling up weeds and existing grass to removing rocks and other debris that could inhibit a flat surface for your new lawn. If weeds are a pesky problem, we recommend spraying a weed killer two to three weeks in advance of the removal since these can take some time to take effect.

Once youve done that, the next step is to remove the top level of soil for most yards this means removing the top 3-4 inches of soil to make room for your new base.

Prepare A Solid Substrate

Its possible to install artificial turf directly on the ground. But it wont look like a lawn because all the small bumps and depressions will be visible and distracting. Pros recommend installing a four-inch base of class-2 road base rock or something similar, then compacting it to a solid surface.

Its a good idea to follow this up with a 1/2- to one-inch layer of compacted sand or decomposed granite to provide a smooth underlay for the turf. If you dont want to dig down that deep, a one-inch layer of compacted sand or decomposed granite is a bare minimum for solidity, comfort and good drainage.

Grade the underlay as you go. Flat areas of your new artificial turf lawn must have a minimum slope of 1/4-inch per foot toward a runoff point to prevent water from collecting under the turf and degrading it.

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Rooftop Artificial Turf Installation: What To Consider

When installing artificial grass on rooftops there are a few extra things to keep in mind. The first is the current state of your roof. If the roof is in any way damaged we do not recommend applying artificial grass on top of it. The turf itself doesn’t provide insulation and therefore won’t provide any added protection. If at any point after installation there are leaks coming from the roof it becomes significantly harder to pinpoint where the leak is coming from and can become a lot more costly. For this reason, you should not install artificial turf directly to the base of the roof so that it can be removable when the roof needs inspection.

To hear more suggestions about what to consider before installing turf on a rooftop, check out our other article!

Cost To Install Artificial Turf

Categories Home

Dont let your remodeling budget go over-board by hidden surprises understand what the average Cost to Install Artificial Turf is in your zip code by using our easy to use calculator. If youre looking for the Cost to Install Artificial Turf with materials, and how much a contractor might be, youve come to the right place.

As an experienced licensed home improvement contractor, I know first hand what it should cost for various levels from Basic, Better, and of course the best. The Cost to Install Artificial Turf estimator will provide you with up to date pricing for your area. Simply enter your zip code and the number of Square Ft. needed, next click update and you will see a breakdown on what it should Cost to Install Artificial Turf at your home

Note: 10 x 10 feet area =100 square feet

• Cost can add up quickly, especially if youre a novice and have never attempted a Artificial Turf installation before. I would strongly recommend you hire a licensed and Insured Artificial Turf contractor to perform the installation for you.
• Be sure to have a copy of the Artificial Turf Manufacturers recommended installation requirements before starting, to make sure your project doesnt end up costing you more money in the long-run.

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Lay The Artificial Grass And Connect At The Seams

This part is crucial. Do your research when it comes to the glue you use. You want to use glue that doesn’t expand and still secures the seams. Be very careful when applying the glue. If applied incorrectly glue can damage the surface beneath. Please also make sure you are not violating any HOA rules or guidelines when applying your adhesive.

Turf Attached To Frame

Installing a frame around the perimeter allows us to attach the artificial grass to the frame, rather than directly to the ground. This is beneficial because it makes getting underneath it easier in the event that repairs need to be made. It is much more cost effective to repair a damaged frame than the surface of your balcony, patio, or rooftop.

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Unroll Your Neograss Artificial Lawn

Youll probably need some help at this point as, depending on the size of your artificial grass, it can be very heavy. If possible, place the grass in position so that the pile direction is facing towards your house or main viewpoint as this tends to be the best side to view the grass from. If you have two rolls of grass, ensure the pile direction is facing the same way on both pieces. Before cutting your astro turf, ensure there arent any ripples in the grass and leave it for a couple of hours to acclimatise.

Installing Artificial Grass Diy What To Expect

Because there is no soil to remove from your base, it is an easier process to install artificial grass on a balcony or patio. DIY artificial grass on a balcony can become nasty quickly if you don’t follow the correct steps. Check out our DIY Turf Installation article to learn how to lay your own turf on a balcony or rooftop. Or, here’s what to expect during installation:

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