How to Install Artificial Grass Step by Step Guidance

A lush green lawn that is virtually maintenance-free can be yours if you lay down this tough but lively turf. Install artificial grass made its big debut at the Astrodome in 1966 — hence the term astroturf — but it has come a long way since then. Once thought of only for professional sports fields, an installed artificial grass is now a great option for homeowners who want to achieve a lush green lawn without maintenance headaches.

Install Artificial Grass

Install artificial grass, does not require water or fertilizer, making it environmentally friendly, and does not require mowing. An installed artificial grass lawn can last up to 15 years in heavy traffic, if you have pets (for obvious reasons!) the only maintenance is occasional spraying with a garden hose.

Professional setup can fee everywhere from $10 to $15 in line with rectangular foot. But laying turf, which costs between $2 and $8 per square foot, is a viable plan in an average-sized yard if you’re playing for some physical exertion.

Check out the attempted and actual approach right here for the way to lay synthetic and install artificial grass!

Part 1 Preparing the Area

Step 1

Spray areas with weed killer. For any vegetation (grass and weeds) in the area where you intend to lay your turf, begin spraying Roundup or a similar product to kill all vegetation in the area. Do this at least two weeks before you start to give it time to work and kill all the vegetation in the area. This will help ensure that all plant material is dead to the roots.

Step 2

Remove the top layer of soil. If installing the lawn over the soil, dig up 3 or 4 inches (7.5-10 cm) of sod to make room for the new base. You can help dig up the lawn and break up the soil. A small rototiller can be used for this. Remove all existing and install artificial grass and other vegetation, or they may form an uneven surface after they die.

Allow rain-soaked soil to dry out for a few days before digging, to prevent collapse.

While the rest of the surface can be partially graded, walk on it or use a hand tamp to compact any visibly loose soil. A slight slope is recommended to improve drainage.

Step 3

Plan your drainage. Installations on well-drained soil should have a few problems with drainage, as an install artificial grass must be permeable to water, and the aggregate base described below provides an additional drainage layer.

 If you are planting on a hard surface such as poorly drained soil or concrete, take the following precautions:

Step 4 

Install a border. Install a waterproof border along the perimeter, if one is not already in place, to prevent the lawn from crumbling or splitting over time. Plastic bender board is a common, effective option.

If you’re interested in a more involved overhaul, you can put a concrete curb around the area instead.

Make sure the border does not extend above the install artificial grass surface, or it may block drainage.

Step 5

Add a grass barrier (optional). If you are concerned about weeds growing through your install artificial grass, place a geotextile barrier at the bottom of the excavated area. This will prevent gophers and earthworms from digging into your install artificial turf. I can help too.

Keep in mind that a geotextile barrier is a tightly woven, fairly heavy weed deterrent. You can buy from an install artificial turf supplier, a real nursery or garden center, or a landscaping and irrigation supply business. A geotextile barrier is not something like a weed blocker that you can buy at a home improvement store.

You can install it on the base material instead.

If you have a major rodent problem, consider a layer of rat wire as well.

Contact a professional rodent and pest control business for help with rodent removal. If left alone, rats will wreak havoc on your installed artificial lawn.

Part 2 Installing the Base

Step 1

Add base material. Purchase finely crushed rock, gravel, or crushed granite with particles under ⅜” (10 mm). Space the excavated area about three to four inches (7.5–10 cm). Backfill with this material to prevent collapse and improve drainage.

You will need about one cubic yard of material for every 100 square feet of lawn (0.82 cubic meters per 10 square meters). The information available for your specific product may provide a more accurate coverage estimate.

If the lawn is to be installed on concrete or another hard surface, a rubber shock pad or self-leveling compound may work instead. Alternatively, if you believe the concrete is draining If you have a suitable slope and you can completely cover the edge of the slab with install artificial grass, you can skip this step.

If the kids will be playing on install artificial grass, you may want to go with shock pads for safety reasons.

Step 2

Rate the base. Use a landscape rake to level the base material. Use a bubble level, wire, and ruler to slope flat surfaces to a 2–3% slope (2–3 ft drop per 100 ft), drainage system, or curb.

Step 3

Moisten and compact the base. Lightly sprinkle the gravel or sand with a garden hose (make sure not to overwater) to loosen the particles in preparation for compaction. Use a plate compactor, roller compactor, or hand tamps to compact the material into a firm base, to 90% or less of its original depth (a drop of approximately 0.3 inches / 7.5 mm). This will likely require several passes back and forth across the area. Go in different, overlapping instructions on every by skip for great compaction results.

A compactor plate compactor is the most efficient option for this purpose.

These tools are available from tool rental services. Hand tamps are consistently the cheapest to buy.

Step 4

When the base is dry, roll the lawn to the side. Lay the install artificial turf off to one side, as it can take a few hours to recover its shape after being rolled. Wait for the base to dry, then make sure it’s smooth and firm before continuing.

If the foundation is not smooth, it needs more compaction.

If the base is less finished than expected, you may need to add and compact an additional layer, to ensure a sufficiently flat joint between the install artificial turf and the surrounding surfaces.

Part 3 Installing the Lawn

Step 1

Lay out the turf. Measure the area where the lawn will be laid, and measure the width and length of the turf strips. With a partner, roll out each strip of turf and lay it on the prepared base. Avoid dragging the garden over the ground, or you could disturb the accessible floor.

In maximum synthetic turf, the faux-install artificial grass blades bend in a single direction. Make sure all the turf is installed with the blades in the same direction, otherwise your an install artificial grass will look less natural.

Step 2

Cut the turf where necessary. Use a carpet cutter or utility knife to cut the bottom of the turf whenever needed depending on the shape of the project area.

When making long cuts, cut short lengths at a time and compare them to the edge to make sure there are no significant gaps. Drawing a cut line on the back with a marker can also help.

Step 3

Get a carpet stretcher (optional). For best results, use a carpet stretcher to stretch the turf strips before you sew or tie them, as described below. Press the stretcher flat in opposition to the turf with the bristles dealt with down, and kick the padded quit firmly together along with your knee. Stretching the turf eliminates wrinkles, reduces thermal expansion, and helps secure the surface firmly to the ground.

This device is also called a carpet cooker.

Step 4

Sew the turf strips together. There are several ways to connect two strips of install artificial turf. A product made by the same company that sold your turf may provide the best results because it will be designed for use on your lawn. Here are the most common options:

Line up the two strips close together, then stitch the edges back together and lay synthetic lawn seaming material over the exposed base. Cover the seaming material with the accompanying adhesive product, then fold the strips back over the seaming material and allow it to dry.

 Use only the adhesive recommended by the manufacturer.

Or lay a long piece of horn tape or strong outdoor tape on the ground and place two strips on top of it.

Or attach with stakes, about one every three inches (7.5 cm).

Step 5

Tie the circle of turf. Use 4–6 inch (10.2–15.2 cm) galvanized stakes or landscape anchor pins to tie the ghee around the perimeter at 6 inches (15 cm) intervals. Hammer them, but avoid over-hammering, which can cause the lawn to sink.

For maximum strength, instead of using two lines of stakes directly opposite each other, stake in opposite directions.

Step 6

Add appropriate infill or ballast to your product. Most install artificial grass requires additional particles to keep the bristles upright, reduce weeds, and provide cushioning for athletic activities. When the lawn is completely dry, apply a thin layer of one of these materials by hand or using a drop spreader. Rake each layer to smooth it out. Repeat until the blade is about half the length.

 For best results, use the material and amount of material specified by your product’s manufacturers. These are the most common options:

Washed silica sand is mainly used as ballast to underlay the turf. If your turf needs filling, sand alone may not be enough.

The black crumb rubber provides the most cushion and support for an install artificial grass blade. They can make a mess if the lawn is installed on a slope, or if pets use the lawn as a toilet.

Copper slag absorbs pet odors better than other options.

Some dense products do not require infill. Some experts choose to upload infills for strength, despite the fact that that is a truly arguable topic.

Step 7

Brush the turf between infill applications. After each raking of infill material, use a power broom to “bloom” your turf, brushing the an install artificial grass blades. If you don’t have access to a power broom, use a broom with a stiff nylon bristle or a carpet rake.

Step 8

Water the lawn. This will help the infill or ballast to heal. Check the content the next day to see the final result. If the lawn is not bouncy enough or too much of each and install artificial grass blade is exposed, rake in another layer of infill.

Optionally, use a leaf blower to clean particles from the floor as soon as finished.

Conclusion

It’s clear: install artificial grass “grows” on almost any type of surface. If you choose to install artificial grass, the surface itself will not cause any problems. However, before installing it, carefully consider which type of an install artificial grass best suits your needs.

In any case, we recommend consulting with one of our experienced professional installers. An install artificial grass may be greener on your side.

Cap sprinklers. It is very important to cap the sprinklers on the surface of the pipe as opposed to rising. This avoids any leakage that could arise between the two. Modify sprinkler irrigation or drainage.