How to Install Artificial Grass

Artificial grass is an affordable, low-maintenance option for any garden, and can be installed to complement other design features such as decking. Artificial grass has a vibrant appearance and a natural feel underfoot. It’s particularly convenient for pet owners who wish to avoid muddy, churned-up lawns.

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To install artificial grass, roll out the grass, ensuring there’s a slight overlap at the edges and that the pile runs in the same direction. Then allow the grass to settle for at least a few hours before aligning sections for any seams, cutting the backing carefully and testing the joint to ensure a small, consistent gap. You’ll then need to lay the joining tape beneath the seam, apply your chosen adhesive along the length, and press the turf firmly onto the tape. Fix the grass edges to the base using landscaping pins or nails, before trimming around any edges for a neat finish. Lastly, leave the turf to settle for up to 24 hours before use.
To prepare the ground for artificial grass, use a turf cutter to remove existing turf if required, install edging, add a fine layer of aggregate, spray the area with water, and then install some weed membrane.

What is artificial grass?

Artificial grass is a synthetic surface designed to mimic the look of natural grass. It’s made from plastic fibres, and has become popular over recent years for landscaping, sports fields and lawns.

Is artificial grass good?

Yes, artificial grass is a low-maintenance surface type that takes the appearance of authentic grass without the added upkeep of watering and mowing, but while still looking its best year-round.

What do I put under artificial grass?

Artificial grass should be laid on a smooth, clean, and level surface. It can be laid on concrete, but this guide concentrates on how to lay on a sand and stone base. Artificial grass should not be laid directly on topsoil - always use underlay and a sub-base.

How to prepare the ground for artificial grass

As with most garden projects, thorough preparation will help you achieve the best results when laying artificial grass. To prepare well, we recommend you:

Carefully measure out the area you’re working on, so you can limit wastage when you order your grass
If you’re fitting edging, remember that artificial grass is sold in various pile heights, so your edge needs to complement this. For guidance, any edging shouldn't be higher than the level of the turf.

If you’re planning to remove and replace a large area of turf, hiring a turf cutter will considerably reduce the workload and speed up preparation. Remove the turf and dig to a depth of 100mm. If your soil is already well-compacted and free-draining, you can dig to a depth of 70mm instead.

Fake grass needs a durable edge to fit against, so you may need to install some edging. Metal, timber, concrete or brick are all suitable, but make sure the edging is level when you install it.

The depth and material of your sub-layer will depend on the soil beneath. If you have clay soil which drains poorly, start by adding a 75mm layer of aggregate such as MOT type 1. Then use a rake to level it out before using a compactor to firm it up.

Add a 20-40mm layer of fine aggregate such as sharp sand and rake through it to level it out and use a compactor again. You may need to repeat this process to achieve the best results.

The total depth of your sub-base will depend on the height of the artificial turf you have chosen and the type of soil you have, so you should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results. It’s important to incorporate a slight camber in the base so that it slopes towards the edges to encourage drainage.

Once you have finished laying the sub-base, spray it with water to help the materials bind together.

Finally, install a layer of permeable weed membrane or landscaping fabric, making sure that it covers the whole of the base layer.

What tools do I need to install artificial grass myself?

Artificial grass rolls
Crushed stone/MOT type 1 (for sub-base)
Fine aggregate/sharp sand (for levelling layer)
Weed membrane/landscaping fabric
Edging material (metal, timber, concrete, or brick)
Lawn fix adhesive (suitable for outdoor turf)
Joining tape (for seams)
Landscaping pins or nails
Tape measure (for accurate area measurement)
Turf cutter (to remove existing grass)
Shovel/spade (for digging and levelling)
Rake (to spread and level aggregates)
Plate compactor (to compact base layers)
Spray bottle or hose (to lightly wet base)
Utility/retractable knife (to cut turf and backing)
Hammer or mallet (to fix pins or nails)
Roller or stiff broom (to brush and settle turf)

How to install artificial grass

Now you’ve prepped the area; it’s time to fit your artificial grass.

Roll out the grass, making sure that the entire area is covered and that there is a 50mm overlap on all outside edges and between any sections. Because you will be joining sections together, make sure that the pile all runs in the same direction. Fake grass usually looks best with the pile facing the house.

Now leave the grass for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight to allow it to acclimatise.

In terms of how to properly join artificial grass seams, you'll need to line them up with an overlap and check that the pile is running in the same direction. Then fold back one of the sections and carefully cut through the latex with a sharp, retractable knife.

Once you’ve cut all the way along, bring the two sections together to test the joint. There should be a consistent 1-2mm gap between the sections, and the seam shouldn’t be visible from a distance.

If you’re happy with the joint, fold back the edges of the grass all the way along the length of the join. Then roll out the joining tape between the two lengths of grass, with the shiny side of the tape facing downwards.

Apply the lawn fix adhesive along the length of the seam. Then carefully work your way along the joint, sticking the turf down onto the tape.

Once the sections are joined together, walk along the joint to firmly secure the grass in place. Repeat this process for all the joints. Then fix the turf to the sub-base with landscaping pins or nails, hammered in at regular intervals along the edges.

Use a retractable knife to carefully cut around the edges and obstacles to ensure a neat edge and a tight fit. Leave the grass for up to 24 hours to allow the artificial grass adhesive to dry and the turf to settle.

How to maintain artificial grass

Although it’s not essential, spreading an even layer of block paving sand over your new turf will provide it with additional stability. Spread at a rate of approximately 5kg/sqm using a sand spreader which you can hire.

However, it’s not advisable for pet owners to spread sand, so as to maintain the freshness of the grass.

You should regularly brush your grass to keep the fibres straight and even. You can hire a mechanical brush to do this, but a stiff broom would also work. You can also remove leaves and other debris with a plastic rake.

To avoid any damage, ensure that barbecues and other hot objects don’t come into direct contact with the grass. It’s also best to try and spread the load of any garden furniture, adding supports for weight distribution if necessary.

Fitting artificial grass and keeping it looking its best is straightforward with the right tools and knowledge. Just make sure you prepare the ground first to ensure professional-looking results. If you found this article helpful, read our guide on how to install a fence.

FAQs

Cleaning artificial grass is easy. All you need to do is regularly rinse it with water, remove any debris using a leaf blower or stiff broom, and use a mixture of mild soap and water to get rid of any stains or dirt build-up.

Artificial grass doesn’t require you to cut it in the same way you would turf as it doesn’t grow. However, if you’d like to make any tweaks to the length, safely use a sharp utility knife to cut through the backing (not the blades), keeping the cuts straight for clean edging.

Yes, it’s possible to hoover artificial grass if you need a quick tidy up. However, you should use a vacuum without a rotating brush or beater bar to ensure you don’t damage the fibres.

Yes, artificial grass heats up when in direct sunlight, especially compared to natural grass, but it’s easy to cool it down with some shade or a spray of water.

How long your artificial grass lasts will depend on how well you maintain it, your usage, and the amount of sun exposure it gets. Typically, high-quality variations last between 10-20 years.

You should either opt for a polyurethane turf adhesive to maximise flexibility and weather resistance, outdoor carpet/turf adhesive to withstand moisture and ensure a strong bond or seam tape and adhesive that’s compatible for joining.

It can take anywhere between 1-2 days for proper preparation, laying the base, installing weed membrane, seaming and then the finishing touches.

On the difficulty scale, we’d place installing artificial grass at a medium difficulty because how hard you may find it depends on your tools, patience and attention to detail.