Artificial grass installation is becoming an increasingly popular choice for people who want low-maintenance lawns. There are many advantages to artificial turf, and we have covered these extensively in another post.
However, this blog will take you one step closer to having a synthetic lawn. It aims to inform you about how to install artificial grass in 8 basic stages.
Many people choose to use a professional installer to lay their synthetic lawn. However, the process is relatively straightforward, so you may want to give it a go yourself. Either way, it is beneficial to understand the eight basic stages of doing the installation.
As with most things, preparation is the first stage of installing your artificial grass. Start by measuring the area you want to cover and making a plan.
By making a plan, you’ll understand how much fake grass, anti-weed membrane, and jointing materials you need. Failing to measure and plan your garden could result in you wasting money on materials you don’t need.
All you need to make your plan is a tape measure, paper, and pencil. If you feel the need to involve your phone in your planning, there are apps available to help with your measurements. Remember, measure all dimensions twice to maintain accuracy.
Having taken your measurements and ordered your synthetic grass, it may take some time to arrive. In the meantime, you can get on with the next stage, removing your old lawn.
This stage is probably the strenuous stage of the process, so having the appropriate tools can help. However, many people simply make do with a spade, wheelbarrow, and plenty of elbow grease.
Soaking your lawn a few days previously will soften the turf, making it easier to lift. It will also keep the soil damp, preventing dry soil dust from scattering everywhere. Of course, overly-soaking your lawn will present you with the problem of mud. In this case, you may have to allow more time for the soil to dry slightly.
For removing the turf, a good technique is to make small square cuts with the spade’s edge. These cuts should be 10-12 inches square, and around 2 inches deep. This depth should enable you to remove the grass roots. Cutting to this length and width means your spade should easily get under and lift the turf.
Some grasses have deeper roots or ones that cling to the soil. If you have this type of grass, you might have to work harder to separate the layers. This task can be heavy-going, particularly in hot weather. Therefore, take plenty of breaks and drink sufficient water to remain hydrated.
A specialist turf-cutting machine will make the job quicker and easier. You’re unlikely to want to purchase one of these for a one-off task. However, you might consider hiring one for a couple of days.
If you intend to reuse your turf, or give it to someone, try removing it as a roll. Doing so makes it easier to transport and relay.
Crushed stone is an excellent base layer for your fake grass lawn. It binds well with the other sublayers and you can achieve an even distribution across the whole area you want to cover. Of course, ensuring you level-off the ground as much as possible will also help.
Other suitable base materials include crushed granite aggregates which you can purchase from a builders merchant. Also, mixtures of crushed stone and sand, although these may be less suitable for pets. Sharp sand bases can be used with no stone. However, you should not consider these if you have pets as urine gets trapped in the sand.
Your base should be between ½ inch and 1½ inches deep. Don’t get too precious about having the depth uniform across the whole surface. Otherwise, you’ll spend your whole weekend with a tape measure in hand.
The crucial aspect is to have a level base. Therefore, you might have to fill in holes or build up dips. To flatten the base you can hire specialist tools, such as a whacked plate. Alternatively, a long plank of wood is good for levelling long stretches of your subbase.
Laying an anti-weed membrane will ensure your artificial lawn is protected from weeds. Not only would they look unsightly, but they would also damage your artificial grass fibres, reducing the life of your synthetic lawn.
Some people choose to lay this membrane underneath the subbase. However, it is more common to be laid on top. All that is required is to unroll the sheet of geotextile membrane on top of the sub-base. Try to avoid displacing any of the sheet as you lay it out as this could create an uneven surface for your grass.
When you’ve unrolled the sheet, fit it to the base using small nails. Then, trim off any unrequired sections with a pair of sharp scissors. Try to keep the sheet as tight as possible, pinning down as much as is required.
This stage is an exciting one, as you will finally have grass at the end of it. However, don’t relax too much. Laying the artificial grass requires some thought.
You will want to lay your artificial lawn in a way that minimises cutting. Also, when it comes to joining two sections, you need to ensure that the pilot is running in the same direction. A good starting point is to lay your turf from the longest straight length. Doing so will enable you to minimise cuts.
Of course, this may not always be possible, and depends upon the shape of your garden. Therefore, take some time to plan how you will lay it.
Your artificial grass will come in a roll. It’s a good idea to unroll it and leave it for 24 hours before securing it to the base. Doing so will cause any creases to fall out of the grass. After that, stretch the grass to ensure it is flat.
When you have laid the artificial grass out to cover the whole area, it’s time to turn off the access to achieve a perfect fit. As with your preparations, it’s crucial to measure everything twice before making a cut. Failing to do so could mean you cut off too much, and have to make unsightly patches.
There are plenty of explanatory videos online to help you learn the best technique for this. Taking your time during this part of the process will ensure the next stage goes ahead easier.
This stage is a crucial part of the artificial grass installation process. Getting it right means you’ll be left with a lawn that has virtually invisible joints. Therefore, follow these basic steps:
There is no set amount of filler you should apply. However, we would recommend around 11 pounds per square yard. Form several small piles of sand or silica filler across the whole area. Then, take a stiff brush and spread it across the entire area of grass.
It is crucial to do this in dry weather, as wet filler will not spread evenly. Once you have covered your entire lawn, go over it once again with a vigorous brushing motion to ensure the filler penetrates to the base of the grass.
Like many people, you may have considered installing synthetic grass for your lawn. It is a low maintenance option and allows you to enjoy your garden without having to continuously work at it.
Hopefully, this brief article has informed you how to lay artificial grass. Following these eight stages will enable you to achieve a successful artificial grass installation.
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