Installation Guide: Artificial Grass

First Published: 20 December 2017 | Updated: 8 November 2021

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Let us guide you through the process of installing your artificial grass.

1. Ground Preparation

• Select the area where the artificial grass will be installed. Typically, there will be a border of some sort like paving, concrete or timber edging. If the area is not clear, mark it out with a rope, garden hose, string line, etc. and mark out with line marking paint.

• Remove all loose vegetation and any debris that is in the way, then proceed to excavate (dig out) the area to a depth of 75mm – 100mm. If there are any existing sprinklers, turn the water supply off and ensure that they are either capped off or removed at this time as they will no longer be required.

• Once the area is excavated, use a square-mouthed shovel or rake to level out the area to ensure it is smooth and even for the crushed rock sub-base to go in.

2. Preparing The Base

• Spread evenly approximately 50mm – 70mm of fine crushed rock as a sub-base. Ensure the crushed rock is levelled out with a suitable straight edge or rake and check that there are no obvious deviations.

• Lightly sprinkle water over the crushed rock before compaction with a plate vibrator so the base becomes firm. A vibrating plate is available at most plant hire outlets. Ensure you have enough fall on the base to allow for water drainage (recommended min. 1:50).

• Complete your base works by adding a fine 10 – 20mm thick crusher dust layer over the top of your base and level again following the same procedure as above. This will result in an even finish in preparation for the artificial grass laying. After compacting, your base should be approximately 15mm below the finished height of your surrounding edging/paving. If not make any final adjustments to ensure and even depth of 15mm is created around the perimeter to allow for the artificial grass thickness

3. Laying of The Artificial Grass

• Roll out the artificial grass and allow it to unfold from its roll for several hours. This will remove any creases and allow the artificial grass to settle. Always run the grass in the same direction.

• Remove the excess black edge strips from both sides of the grass and ensure all roll edges are straight. Cut the artificial grass to fit into your area. Use either a small grinder with a masonry disc or a sharp utility knife along edges, around trees, and any protrusions. Take your time – measure twice and cut once to make sure no mistakes are made.

4. Securing The Turf

• Secure the edges with 180mm U shaped fixing pegs. Fix within 75mm of any external perimeter edge. Fix on every corner and at spacings around the edges of 800mm – 1000mm apart.

• When nailing, make sure you pull the fibre of the grass apart so that the nail goes in smoothly and does not hold the fibre down. At completion of this step, the fixing pegs should be hidden.

• Additional fixings are required when joining two pieces of artificial grass. These fixings are recommended within, but no closer than, 300mm from each joint edge. This is to allow room to work on the joint seam (see Step 5). All fixings near the joint seam should be at spacing’s of 800mm – 1000mm to allow the artificial grass to be pulled tight and secured prior to “seaming” any joins together (see Step 5).

5. Joining The Artificial Grass

• Pull the two pieces of artificial grass together so that they are as close as possible. Make sure they are not touching or overlapping. Once in place, secure with fixings as per above – within 300mm of the join each side where the two pieces join together. At completion of this step, the fixing pegs should be hidden.

• Fold back both sides of your artificial grass, roll out and locate 120mm wide self adhesive tape centrally located under the join. Cut the tape to the required length.

• Fold back both sides of the artificial grass at the join. Gently peel off the backing of the self adhesive tape along the entire length of the join, ensuring that the location of the tape has not moved.

• Fold one entire side of the artificial grass down onto the self adhesive tape and apply pressure to ensure it has adhered and then repeat the same technique by folding down the opposite side of the join to complete a perfect join. Walk along the join seam several times to ensure it adheres down securely to the tape

6. Adding Sand Infill

• Spread kiln dried silica sand (available in 25kg bags) across the entire area. We recommend 5-8kg of sand per square metre of artificial grass. The sand should be spread as evenly as possible, without clumps. For large areas hiring a sand spreader tool may be a good idea. For small areas a seed dropper or a square mouthed shovel are recommended.

• Aim to get the sand in between the blades of grass. Large volumes of sand in the one area will cause lumpy grass. With a power broom or a stiff bristled broom, brush the blades of turf upwards. This makes it easier to distribute the sand infill evenly.

TIP

Try to disperse the sand with the grain of the artificial grass as it lies over and then broom against the artificial grass, working the same way across your project to encourage the artificial grass to stand up and ensure an even sand coverage. The sand helps anchor down the artificial grass whilst at the same time filling at least 10mm between the grass blades to ensure the grass stand upright.

Maintenance Tips

Despite your new artificial grass area being a far superior low maintenance option than a natural grass lawn, some minor routine maintenance is still required. Specifically keeping the grass surface clean of debris, especially any that may decay into the infill. Additionally, give the area an occasional sweep up of the grass blades to revitalise the appearance of the lawn.

Note: Always sweep against the grass grain.

• Do not use any power or manual tools, etc. that may damage the artificial grass surface, additionally do not use solvents like acetone or cleaning materials containing alcohol.

• As per above, regularly remove any loose foreign objects including leaves, sticks, pet’s droppings and any other waste items on a regular basis

• To keep the infill from compacting and to limit the fibres from flattening down, brush your artificial grass on a regular basis. Always brush the artificial grass in opposite directions, as continuous brushing in one single direction could flatten out the grass piles.

• Refrain from parking vehicles, including boats, etc. on the artificial grass. Prevent petrol, oil, grease, transmission fluids, etc. from spilling on your artificial grass surface. Any spills can discolour the artificial grass.

• The artificial grass fibres are stain resistant – most stains are moisture borne, but because the artificial grass fibres tend to resist moisture, it results in most stains on artificial grass being superficial stains only. Therefore, most stains can be removed with a garden hose or alternatively, warm soapy water. Remember, the sooner you can get onto removing a stain, the easier it will be to remove (i.e., before it dries).

• Every 2 years, visually inspect your artificial grass for depressions or lost sand, if necessary, top up your artificial grass area with kiln dried sand to replace any lost sand that may have washed away over time. A thorough sweep over (against the grain) and general clean up at this point will enhance the long-term life span.