How to Measure and Install Artificial Grass

Synthetic Lawn Installation Guide

How to install artificial grass

When it comes to installing your synthetic lawn, it is always best to utilize a professional or an organization that specializes in applying synthetic turf that will satisfy your needs and supply the highest quality finished product. The installation information supplied below is for those individuals with construction experience who wish to undertake this kind of project on their own and has been supplied for reference only. No representations or warranties are made regarding the installation information nor are any results guaranteed by utilizing the installation information. This information is not intended to include all information that may be needed to install synthetic lawn .

STEP 1…. Layout the area and strip the existing material

Using a rope or garden hose as your proposed border, layout the area in which you want to install your synthetic lawn. Try several different locations at different times of the day to be sure you chose the one that best suits your needs. Choose any design you like but remember that turf arrives rectangular in shape and in approx 3.7m widths. This may also be the time to change the contour of your yard. Be sure to allow for drainage, runoff, wet or shady areas, etc… when laying out your yard. Water will not drain through the grass, it will drain “off” like pavers.

Remove all the vegetation and other debris down to the bare earth. Rotting grass today may cause unwanted dips tomorrow. Sprinklers may be capped or removed at this time.

STEP 2….Installing a stone base, compacting and optional edging

It is recommended that you install the synthetic turf on a compacted crusher dust base. The best scenario is to actually install on a concrete slab, however this is not critical. Depending on your existing sub base, a minimum of 50mm of crusher dust (after compaction) is recommended. In sandy or clay conditions you may wish to use a thicker base.

If you are in doubt, please consult your local landscape yard or landscape architect for base materials recommended for your area.

Care should be taken to choose a material that is free of large stones and should be graded and compacted to as smooth a finish as possible. The product should be composed primarily of crushed stone, with enough fine sand to assure compaction and stability. Be sure to compact the base several times and dampen the crusher dust prior to packing.

Plate compactors and additional tools may be hired by the day and are usually inexpensive. Remember – your goal is to make the base as hard as possible. You should compact the base at least twice and don’t forget to make sure you have enough fall on the base to allow water to drain.

You may wish to install optional edging. Brick, decorative or natural stone, timber, flexible plastic or metal edging may all be obtained from your local hardware store. The top of the edging should be at the proposed finished elevation of the base to prevent trapping water

STEP 3.…. Roll out the synthetic turf

Once the base work is completed, roll out the turf and allow it to relax for several hours. This should cause any wrinkles to settle. Cut turf to fit where necessary. This can be done with a sharp utility knife and a new blade. Cut the turf to fit around trees, flowerbeds and landscape islands, etc… If you change your mind at this point and make a mistake, don’t worry. Simply use the seaming method described below to put turf together where you want it. In areas larger than 3.7m in width, where two pieces of turf must be seamed together, seeming tape will be required. It should be noted that although turf can be joined together, these seams are sometimes noticeable if not done correctly.

Once you have finished installing the turf, step back and survey the landscape. Be sure your turf is in the right placement. If you find that your layout isn’t just right, change it now with the joining method described above.

STEP 4…. Install the fill material

Now it’s time to install the fill material.

Gently spread sand across the entire area. Typically this sand is “thrown” across the area as evenly as you can. You are aiming to infill approx 1/2 of the pile height with sand. After spreading with a shovel, you will need to broom against the grain to allow sand to fall between blades of grass.

Make sure you keep the grass fibres upright during this process. Your aim is to get the sand to fall between the blades of grass. Make sure you do not simply “dump” sand in any one spot as you will crush the grass fibres down and getting them back up is very challenging.

This process will take 2 or 3 goes to get levels right. DO NOT attempt to spread sand all in one go.

The fill you install today is going to compact with rain and use over time. Plan on an additional top dressing after the fill has had time to settle.

And that is it. You should now be the proud owner of the nicest lawn on the block.

With our help and a little skill, we can save you HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of dollars.  Just follow the guidelines below and you’re well on the way to a lush green lawn.

Artificial turf can be installed on many surfaces.  Crusher dust is the main surface we install on (see video below) however you can also install on to the following with very little trouble: