Are you prepared to install artificial grass? For a professional-looking lawn with excellent drainage and a lifespan of up to twenty-five years, our installation guide has you covered. Learn how to prepare the subbase, trim and secure the turf, add infill, prevent wrinkling, and ensure a clean surface. With easy-to-follow tips and tricks from professionals, achieving optimal results is simple. Enjoy benefits like a comprehensive list of installation tools, materials, and accessories.
How To Install Artificial Grass
For a flawless and professional-looking artificial turf installation that boasts excellent drainage and durability for up to twenty years, it's essential to follow our comprehensive 12-step guide meticulously. Discover the complete list of necessary tools for the project at the bottom of this page. Plus, enhance your installation knowledge with our four detailed videos hosted by Dave, who expertly explains and demonstrates each crucial phase of the synthetic grass installation process. This guide ensures your artificial lawn not only looks stunning but also stands the test of time.
Artificial Lawn - Site Base Preparation
Remove 3 - 4 inches of existing grass sod and dirt. Use a sod cutter for large lawns. Cap and remove all sprinklers and sprinkler heads. Be sure to set a rough grade for drainage.- Lay 2 - 2 1/2 inches of drain crushed rock, hose down, then using a vibrating plate compactor, compact to 90%.
- Lay 1 - 1 1/2 inches of either class II road base or decomposed granite.
- Lay the weed barrier * fabric over road base or decomposed granite. This step is optional. Landscape fabrics have their pros and cons. If the soil beneath your installation is "alive" and weeds are wildly grown before installation, it might be a good idea to protect your lawn from weeds with weed barrier fabric. In many cases, there is no big need for weed protection, and you can install turf right on top of decomposed granite without adding extra layers.
- Hose down and then use a vibrating plate compactor to compact to 90%.
- Make sure base surface is as leveled and as smooth as possible.
- Create a slight grade for optimal drainage.
Synthetic Turf Installation
CAUTION: Turf should be rolled out under the sun with blades facing down at least 1-2 hours before installation. This will allow the turf to acclimate and, as a result, make, it easier to work with.
- Lay turf onto base and position where needed. Using a carpet knife/razor knife, cut off the excess grass turf on the backside (3 stitches in from sides). Cut fake turf (on the backside) to fit the area.
- Fasten one end with 40D or 60D Bright Common nails of 5-6 inches in length, spaced 3-4 inches apart along the edges. Stretch turf and fasten with nails as you move across to the opposite end. Place a nail every 12-24 inches throughout the center and every 3-4 inches along the perimeter.
- Fasten together seams by using 11 gauge 6"x1"x6" staples spaced 4 inches apart along the seam. Do not countersink staples.Note: Be sure the seams are taut and precise, the grain of the turf is facing in the same direction, and the space at the seam is the same as the stitching gauge.
- After turf is installed, power broom before applying infill, apply infill onto turf grass using a drop spreader. Spread infill as evenly as possible with a grading rake or broom until infill settles into the base of the turf. You can use a push broom for quick and easy infilling.
Note: Never use regular sand for infill. For putting green installation, use infill with a smaller grain, for example, silica sand #30, because the smaller grain size will work it into the surface better since the golf greens are dense.
- Hand or power broom again so that the blades are standing straight up. Use carpet scissors to trim off the excessive turf blades. Clean the surrounding area with a blower or a broom.
Tools For Artificial Grass and Turf Installation
Almost all required tools can be found in your garage, except maybe carpet stretcher. A carpet stretcher is very useful when installing artificial turf. Specifically, you need it before you start seaming the edges of the lawn.
The second installation video shows how to use the stretcher. As a tip, the carpet stretcher is also called a knee-kicker. You strike the padded end with your knee. Wrinkles on the seam stretch nicely. A simple carpet stretcher from Home Depot will do. Don't want your turf to buckle? Use the stretcher.
- Shovel & Picks
- Grading Rake
- Hammer
- Measuring Tape
- Carpet Knife
- Cutting Blades
- Carpet Stretcher
- Carpet Scissors
- Blower (for clean up)
- Wheelbarrow
- Drop Spreader (For Infill)
- Vibrating Plate Compactor
- Power Broom
- Broom (for clean up)
Materials for Artificial Turf Installation
- Drain Rock
- Decomposed Granite
- 40D 5" / 60D 6" bright common nails and 6"x1"x6" steel staples
- Infill Materials:
Use only when necessary.
Medium or #30 Kiln Dried Sand.
Depending on the pile heights, infill amount may vary.
Special infill made for pet turf is available. - Bender Boards:
Only used when needed
When to Install a Wire Mesh?
As you can see on the diagram above, a wire mesh is installed on top of the soil, after you removed dirt and existing sod, and before you start spreading and compacting drain rocks and decomposed granite. A Wire Mesh, or a wire barrier, is meant to prevent gophers and moles from damaging lawns. Are those critters populated in your area? Then, no matter what type of lawn you install, natural or artificial, you want to protect it. There are special "gopher wires" that are made specifically for this reason - to make a robust underground barrier below the surface of your lawn. This step is optional. Some regions have no issues with gophers, while in others, gophers' over-population affects the whole gardening and landscaping experience. Gophers love to tunnel their way up your lawn and to turn it into their salad bar. They are not too interested in artificial turf with rocks and granite underneath. If there are no problems with gophers and moles in your installation area, a wire mesh can be an unreasonable expense.
Tips for a Professional-Looking Synthetic Grass and Turf Install
- Before installation, lay turf out under the sun for at least 1-2 hours to allow grass to acclimate. This will make the backing less stiff and the turf easier to be swept. Always stretch and install turf taut. One yard of base materials will cover 80 square feet at 4 inches depth (1 Yard = 1 Ton). Do not overlap seams. Never drive nails too far into the base because this will create a noticeable dip.
- Always hand or power broom turf before filling.
- Always run grain of grass in the same direction. Use a 2x4 (straight line installation) or 1x2 (curve line installation) of synthetic or pressure treated wood bender board around the perimeter of turf area to frame and protect the turf from soil and debris.
- Use only manufacturer recommended infill materials. Infill amount will vary. A 100 pounds bag of infill will typically cover a 60 square feet of turf.
Calculate the Amount of Infill
Amount of infill: Multiply 1/2 of pile height by the total number of square foot x 0.083333 x infill weight per cubic feet. It equals the infill weight in pounds.
For example, Sapphire will take: pile height 0.1475' (1.77'') x 1,000 sq.ft. area x 0.083333 x 96.01 (pounds per cubic foot) = 1,180 pounds of silica sand, or 10 bags 100 lbs each, or 118 pounds per square foot.
Artificial Grass Installation - Facts You Need to Know
- Melting: Beware of highly reflective windows on the south or west side of your home. In certain conditions, sunlight hitting these windows has created a "magnifying glass effect," which acts much like a laser and will melt your turf. A coating on the outside of the window will prevent this.
- Weather: Our turf can be installed in the mountains, where rain and snow drain very well with no flooding issues. Wind is not a worry if the installation has been done properly. In the hot Southwest part of the US, the grass can get quite warm to the touch during the direct midday sun. The grass does not retain heat in the shade or darkness like a rock. The turf can easily take even the hottest direct sunlight without damage, providing that there isn't any strong reflection or sun magnification.
- Pets Smell: The best solution for getting rid of pet smell is to use ZeoFill. It works as a molecular sieve creating a cation exchange, which occurs when two or more positively charged compounds or elements exchange places on a negatively charged host. This exchange process removes charges and essentially removes ammonia in pet waste.
Tools Required for Turf Installation
Almost all required tools can be found in your garage, except maybe carpet stretcher. A carpet stretcher is very useful when installing artificial turf. Specifically, you need it before you start seaming the edges of turf. If you'll watch the second installation video, you will see how to use the stretcher. As a tip, the carpet stretcher is also called a knee-kicker. You strike the padded end with your knee. Wrinkles on the seam stretch nicely. A simple carpet stretcher from Home Depot will do. Don't want your turf to buckle? Use the stretcher.
Plate Compactor
If you don't have a plate compactor, rent one for a day or two. Your base must be stable and well-compressed before you lay turf or pavers on top of it. If you don't compact your base well, it will continue to shift and compress in time, causing ruts in your lawn and developing higher or lower areas that eventually will cause buckles and wrinkles in turf as well.
When you compact your base with a plate compactor, constantly water the area with a hose. Compaction is a very simple process, but it takes time and patience to go over the area multiple times. Some say three to four times is good enough, but to be safe, repeat the go-round compaction procedure up to ten-twelve times before introducing the sub-base material. Don't forget to create a little slop in the area for proper drainage.
Artificial Grass Maintenance
Synthetic grass lawn doesn't need mowing, watering, or a fertilizing to remain green year round. It's a perfect alternative to green grass for homeowners who aspire for low maintenance, no irrigation, no fading, drought tolerant realistic lush, resilient and durable green lawn that helps to conserve water and reduce water bills.
Forget the astroturf of the past; modern artificial lawns look and feel better than natural; ideal for any type of yards; looks great in the backyard, on a playground, a dog run, and a lifesaver for pets.
For commercial landscaping, municipalities, turf fields, play area or dog run, fake grass lawns mean no trimming, no edging, no weeding, lasting, unlimited foot traffic, saving water and minimal upkeep. For homeowners, a turf lawn is aesthetic, perfectly manicured, no mower expensive, no dead grass, no fertilizer, no pesticides, the neighbors envy, always green grass all year round that increases your property value. For pet owners, no muddy paws, no odors, water bill reductions best grass field for pets to play with life expectancy for up to 25 years.
You don't need to fertilize artificial lawns to keep them healthy.
Use a leaf blower to remove leaves and debris from the surfaces occasionally.
If you are using the TCool infill, follow instructions on the package.
Lawn installation can take from 8 to 12 hours to complete by a professional contractor, installer or a landscaper from start to finish. As a homeowner and a gardener, installing artificial surfacing is aka installing outdoor carpet, made of polypropylene, may take a little longer. Estimate your project costs with our online calculators.
Perfect lawn made of quality products will help you save water and has a natural look. Compared to a natural lawn, fake turf can be installed on bocce ball fields, soccer field, football field, sports turf, playground surfaces, residential properties, balconies, decking, patio, play areas, athletic fields, front yard, back yard, or walkways.
As the synthetic turf suppliers of environmentally friendly turfs in the United States, we offer an unmatched 15-year warranty on all our turf lawn products grasses. No water, no crumb rubber, golf putting greens. For dogs, and homeowners with pets, we offer durable, fully recyclable, budget-friendly, year-long green, field turf directly from our synthetic grass warehouse to make your new lawn look greener, and decrease water consumption.
Find Free Samples and a Certified Installer Near You:
Looking for Free In-Home Estimate or Free samples? Call us today or find a professional, certified installer near you. Imagine how much the look, feel and value of your home or business will improve simply by adding one of our premium-quality artificial grass lawns to your outdoor space. Your custom design and installation is just a phone call away!