The Ultimate Guide to Laying Artificial Grass
2023-10-11
Installing Artificial Grass is a straightforward process when you have the right tools and follow these six easy steps: Step One: Plan and Clear the Area Before diving into your project, carefully plan the area to be covered. Make sure there are no cables or water pipes beneath the digging depth. Remove the existing turf to a depth of 2 inches using a turf cutter or spade and eliminate any large stones, bricks, or obstructions. Create a solid type 1 stone base. Step Two: Create an Edge If your installation area lacks perimeters for the product to butt up against, install an edging system. We recommend using VertEdge. Hammer the edging into the soil using a piece of wood, ensuring approximately 3 cm is exposed. Step Three: Lay the Base Apply approximately 6mm of granite dust, then use a piece of timber to drag the sand or dust across the application area, creating a smooth surface. If using sand, ensure the depth does not exceed 20mm. For larger imperfections (over 20mm), level them out with hardcore before applying sand. Step Four: Apply Weed Membrane Once the base is compacted, apply a weed membrane to the area and secure it in place with 4-inch galvanized steel nails every 0.75m around the perimeter. This membrane will prevent weed growth while allowing water drainage. Trim off any excess membrane from the edges. For joins, overlap the edges and secure them with gaffer tape. Step Five: Lay the Artificial Grass & Trim Edges Unroll the Artificial Turf over the area, taking care not to displace the weed membrane. Position the turf with the pile direction facing toward the house for the best visual effect. Once in place, trim any excess artificial grass. GP Sports provides a convenient edge for running your knife along. It's recommended to change blades every 3-5 meters to maintain sharpness. Step Six: Add Finishing Touches To complete the installation, apply kiln sand to the turf. This can be done using a blower and stiff brush or a lawn fertilizer spreader. We recommend using 6-8kg of sand per square meter of product. This step is crucial to achieve the most natural-looking finish. For optimal results, brush the pile before, during, and after the sand infill. Ensure this sand dressing is applied on a dry day and the same day as the lawn installation. For Expert Assistance in Installing Artificial Grass For further guidance on artificial grass installation, explore our other installation guides or consult our blog post offering valuable fitting advice for a seamless artificial grass installation.
