There are 12 steps to installing artificial grass. If you want your lawn to look professional, have proper drainage, and last you for the next twenty years, take every step with care. You will find the tools that you will need for the installation at the bottom of this page. There are also four videos with Dave, who will explain and show every step of synthetic turf installation in great detail. Don't miss these instructions if you want your synthetic lawn to look good and last long. We've got the best artificial grass installation videos.
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.
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.
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.
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 the turf as well.
When you compact your base with a plate compactor, constantly water the area with a hose. Compaction is a straightforward 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.
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.
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, Super Natural 60 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 can take from 5 to 12 hours on average to install on any small to average size lawn. We have an artificial lawn installed in Auburn, California in the beautiful Lake of the Pines community. The most important part of the synthetic turf installation is the base preparation. If your site is prepared correctly, spread, and well compacted with drain rock, road base, or decomposed granite, the second step (see the second video) is easy. You just need a pair of scissors, measuring tape, and a pair of strong hands to lay out the turf on the base, seam the seams, and fasten the turf down with staples or nails.
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.
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 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 artificial grass 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.