How To Install Artificial Grass

When most families choose artificial grass, there are often concerns about whether it is easy to install and whether they can complete the installation on their own. We’ve put together the ultimate guide about how to install artificial grass, read these steps to learn how the artificial turf installation process works, what tools you need, and instructions for installing your own.

Below are 2 DIY installations – 1 in Mackay and the other in Hervey Bay

FreStep 1: Planning

The first step for artificial turf installation is to plan out and measure your garden, figure out how much artificial grass and which accessories you will need. The turf has a width of 2m or 4m and a length of up to 25m. Roughly calculating how many rolls need to be ordered will help you avoid a high amount of waste and ensure that you don’t overspend, maintaining the project cost-effective.

Tools required for artificial turf installation

Next, what tools do you need to prepare for laying artificial grass? It depends on the type and size of your installation. Some elements are optional, and some are essential.

• Galvanised twist nails from here
• Self-adhesive Jointing Tape from here
• Infill sand – (ZeoFresh Anti Bacterial Artificial Turf Fill  is recommended for maximum protection from here)
• Tape Measure
• Sharp Knife
• Shovel
• Hammer
• Levelling screed (can be hired)
• Broom/Stiff Brush (a power broom is recommended – either hire or buy one as it’s great for maintenance of your new artificial lawn)
• Gloves
• U-shaped or straight artificial turf nails
• Self-adhesive Jointing Tape
• A roller or vibrating plate to compact the sand (both can be hired)
• Weed block cloth – This is optional, but we highly recommend it for outdoor installation.
• Shockpad – This is optional, especially recommended for concrete surfaces.

Step 2: Base Preparation

Artificial grass can be installed on a variety of different surfaces. Here we will focus on the ground preparations for installing artificial grass on soil and concrete.

How to install artificial grass on soil?

Get rid of weeds

Before installing grass, the first thing you do is to kill grass roots and weeds. Spray the area with a non-toxic weed killer you trust. Weed killers need ample time to work, so it is recommended that you do this at least two weeks in advance.

Add the base material

Get rid of the top layer of soil (about 80mm) to make room for your new base. Be sure to remove any existing rubbish, such as roots and rocks, and level the site.

If you want to add a border to your newly laid artificial turf, now is the time to fit and install the edging. This eliminates the need to disturb your properly compacted and levelled sub-base while installing the edgings. To minimise problems later in the procedure, make sure you put the edgings in to your finished level.

Crushed rock should then be spread as evenly as possible and compacted with a wacker packer (or similar) compactor to a depth of 60mm. After that, a 20mm coating of crusher dust is applied to improve drainage and avoid slumping and compacted once again.

Allow for a fall to allow excess water to drain through the turf. Continue to add water while compacting. This will provide a solid foundation.

Optional: add a weed barrier

If necessary, after the base is compacted, cover the area with weed block cloth and secure in position with U-shaped nails around the perimeter.

How to install artificial turf on concrete?

Clean existing concrete

The uniform standard for the base is that the surface needs to be smooth, clean and level. First, clean your area thoroughly, and then check for uneven surfaces. If they aren’t too uneven and can be fixed, you can use self-levelling compounds.

Optional: install the shock-pad

Because concrete is a hard surface, it’s recommended the use of shock-pad for support in case anyone falls on the surface. The concrete surface needs to use glue instead of  nails to fix the shock-pad and turf.

Step 3: Lay out the artificial grass

Unroll the artificial turf over the area, being careful to not move the weed block cloth, and then let the turf sit in the sun for 30 mins to an hour – this allows any creases to fall out as well as the condition of the grass yarn will be better. Then stretch the grass to make sure it’s nice and flat and anchor the turf to the edge with U-shaped nails.

If you are working with multiple rolls, it is very important that the yarn direction and stitch patterns are facing the same way. Crossing yarn directions will result in poor appearance. Having the yarn direction running toward the house will give the best look from the windows of the house.

Step 4: Fix the seam

1. Cut off the manufacturing edge strip (if present) or cut off another stitch so that there is as little backing as possible next to the stitch and butt the two edges together.

2. Fold back the edges and position self-adhesive jointing tape (smooth side down) so that the edges of the carpet meet down the centre of the tape when joined.

3. Fold the turf back into the adhesive tape starting from one end. Work your way down the seam carefully, jointing the two pieces together. Make sure tufts aren’t damaged or buried.

Step 5: Cut excess grass

Cut the grass to shape using scissors or a sharp knife for a perfect fit. Take your time to carefully cut around any obstacles like trees, planter beds or drains.

Step 6: Sprinkle and brush silica sand (or ZeoFresh Anti Bacterial Artificial Turf Fill for maximum protection).

The final step for artificial turf installation is to spread silica sand across your artificial turf, building the depth in layers. We recommend 6-8 kg of sand per square metre of lawn.  For improved anti-bacterial protection, we recommend the use of ZeoFresh Anti Bacterial Artificial Turf Fill available from here.

For the best results, we recommend using a power broom or at least a bristle broom or a grass rake to brush the pile before, during and after. Brush against the pile fibre direction to encourage the individual grass tufts to stand upright.

There are pros and cons to hiring professional install crews or DIY artificial turf installation, and you need to evaluate your situation objectively and decide based on your budget. DIY artificial turf installation may seem like a daunting task, but it could also be a fun activity for the family.

copyrighted by CoCreation Grass Corporation