Easy Install Guide

Guide Introduction:

It’s relatively easy to install artificial grass. Installing fake grass in your home or business can significantly enhance your properties look and, in nearly every case, save you money in the long run. The entire process is fun, from picking the right synthetic grass solution to the final product, which will provide you with a beautiful, maintenance-free lawn.

This comprehensive installation guide creates after many years of contractor and customer feedback. We believe it is the most detailed and complete artificial grass installation guide in the industry, and it’s available to all our Buy Lawn Direct‘s customers free of charge. This easy-to-read guide includes four main sections:

  • Project Planning
  • Ground Preparation
  • Artificial Turf Installation
  • Artificial Turf Infill

Our synthetic turf installation guide aims to cover every aspect of the artificial turf installation process and provide you with insider installation and maintenance tips. We’ve also included many advanced installation techniques designed to help you save time and money when installing an artificial lawn.

ATS Disclosure:

Individuals or contractors who want to self-install fake grass can use this manual. However, Artificial Turf Supply makes no representations or warranties regarding the following installation information. This easy to install guide is the best effort to installing artificial turf and not intended for some other specialized synthetic lawns; not all results guaranteed.

TimeLine:

Projects less than 1500 sq. Ft. should take around two to three days. Some projects might be done faster, depending on the size of the project and the number of people working on the artificial grass project.

Synthetic Grass Installation

1. Artificial Grass Planning & Design

Installation Temperature:

Install artificial grass at 50 degrees Fahrenheit and above.

Project Tools:

It’s essential to have the proper tools for the installation of synthetic grass. Learn the purpose of each device and how to use it before you install your artificial grass project. You can rent or purchase most tools from a local home improvement company. Most of the time, you can substitute power tools for hand tools. Here is a complete list of the tools you will need before the installation of artificial turf.

List of Tools:

Glue, Carpet Kicker, Hammer, Staples, Nailer boards or 60 (D) “Pole-Barn” Nails, Fertilizer Spreader, Plate Compactor or Vibratory, Hand Roller or Plate Tamp, Trowel, Sod Cutter, Shovel, Hoe, Wheelbarrow, Measuring Tape, Spray Paint or Chalk Line, Landscape Rake, Broom, Carpet Cutting Knives or Razor Knife, Trimming Shears, Roof Flashing, Seam Tape or other seaming solution.

2. Ground Preparation

Measuring & Outline:

Use landscape stakes or irritation flags to measure the width and length of each area. Then mark the artificial grass turf rolls using spray paint or chalk. Note the direction you decided to lay the turf during the planning phase.

Removing Topsoil:

Clear the marked areas by using a sod cutter, hoe, or shovel to cut grass, sod, or remove unwanted vegetation. Clearing the city will make it easier for you to get rid of topsoil in the synthetic grass project area. Next, get rid of large rocks or roots. A sod cutter typically set at 1 to 2 inches, but you might have to go as deep as 4 inches in colder areas due to severe weather ground expansion and contraction. As mentioned earlier in the guide, leave a 6-inch radius around utilities, trees, bushes, or shrubs.

Rough Grading:

Rough grade the artificial turf areas with a landscape rake. Next, lightly water the area with a garden hose and use a plate compactor or a heavy drum roller to compact it. Continue this process until the compaction is acceptable. We recommend a 95 percent compaction.

3. Artificial Turf Installation

Turf Preparation:

Roll out the artificial grass over a clean flat area or your prepared base. Avoid dragging the turf across the sub-base. If you have more than one roll of lawn or a seam, make sure that the fibers go in the same direction as you designated during the project’s planning phase. The goal is to make sure the two pieces match. After you have rolled out the synthetic grass, let it relax in the sun for a few hours.

Allowing it to relax will open up the fibers and stand upright and smooth out any wrinkles. After a few hours, lay your synthetic turf in the designated area. For areas with seams, cut the un-tufted edge of each roll and lay it out on the base in the proper direction. Next, lay the second roll adjacent to the first roll. Leave a gap of 1/16 to 1/8 inches. Do not overlap the rolls.

Turf Cutting:

Artificial turf can cut to fit your yard and project. For proper cutting, you will need a carpet cutting knife or a razor knife. Professional contractors mark the back of the turf with a market pen before they cut.

Once you have your marks in place, roll the grass back, and cut it with your tool. For overlapping areas, reduce the overlapped roll to match the first roll that you trimmed. The cut should leave two pieces as close as possible without touching. Next, trim the synthetic lawn to match your edges around the borders.

Artificial Grass Installation Cost

Turf Seaming:

If your fake grass project requires seams, we recommend practicing it before you seam your project area. That is because proper seaming is key to making your synthetic turf product look natural and real. Take your time and trim at least one seam row off of both rolls you’re seaming together.

With your base completed and the turf rolled out on the plate, mark the areas you plan to seam with a chalk line. Next, place the 12-inch seaming tape along the edges where you plan to have the seams. Using your cutting tool, prepare the turf by cutting both sides of the rolls to be seamed. Cut as close to the second artificial lawn row as possible. That will reduce any waste and should provide you with the right edges for seaming.

The seaming application area should be clean and free of debris and oil. Apply the adhesive to the surface or seam tape with a trowel, spray rig, or glue box. You can also pour the adhesive directly over the surface area. Lightly mist the resin with water to accelerate cure time. Make sure to spray the area with a light mist because too much water weakens the bond.

Wait three to five minutes for the adhesive to absorb surface and atmospheric moisture. After three to five minutes, lay down the turf. Next, wait for 10 to 15 minutes then press seams. Make sure there is contact between both surfaces. You can use a weighted roller for this process.

4. Infill

Infill:

There are several types of infill, the material used in between the blades of artificial grass to help the fibers stand up, improve durability in traffic zones, and create the look and feel of real grass. We offer acrylic coated, green-colored sand with antimicrobial features and black crumb rubber particles.

We recommend using infill in all synthetic grass products to improve usability and durability at the following rates: for lighter weighted turf less than 60 ounces of face weight, use three pounds of infill per square foot of synthetic turf. For more substantial weighted lawn or over 60 ounces of face weight, use two pounds per square foot of fake grass.

Using a drop spreader or a broadcasting spreader, apply the infill evenly throughout the synthetic turf one layer. Walk consistent speed, take time, and adjust your speed according to the rate that the infill is falling out of your spreader.

To apply infill on small or hard to reach areas such as corners or against walls where the spreader can’t reach, use your hand to spread the infill on the artificial lawn. Next, use a power broom, brush, or comb to even out the area. Repeat these two steps until you’re done with infill or have reached the recommended/desired level of infill.

Finishing Touches:

To clean up the area and help the blades of synthetic lawn stand up better, use a power broom, leaf blower, plastic rake, or push broom to clean up the area quickly.