Install Artificial Grass to replace existing turf

There are various ways to lay your own artificial grass, below is a guide as to one way to lay artificial grass to replace an existing lawn.

Firstly the Equipment list-

• Artificial Grass
• Weed membrane
• Gravel and Sand
• Sharp Stanley Knife and spare blades
• Screws and U shaped fixings.
• Adhesive 
• Joining Tape (if joining)
• Spade
• Length of Wood and Hammer (if not using plate compactor)

Optional-

• Motorised turf cutter (available from tool hire shops)
• Motorised plate compactor (available from tool hire shops)
• Treated wood frame

Before you start

When determining the length and width you will require, please do allow some extra that will be lost during cutting. If you require several rolls, we would like to point out that all rolls should be installed in the same direction, as the fibres of the lawn tend to settle a little towards one direction. When installing the rolls, it is recommended that you position yourself so you are looking against the natural fibre direction of the lawn, this provides the best finish.

Step 1- remove the existing lawn and excavate to between 40-80mm (depending on the level you want the finished artificial grass). A turf cutter could be hired to make this part of the project significantly easier. If not a spade will do the trick

Step 2- if there is not already an edge or wall around where you want to place the grass you will need some kind of retaining feature. For this we recommend treated timber or timber sleepers. 

Step 3- to prevent weeds you should lay down a weed membrane across the full area (overlap the sheets to prevent any gaps). You can use u shaped pins/fixings to hold the membrane in place. You can also treat the ground with weed killer if you think this is necessary.

Step 4- fill in the area with roughly 50mm sub base, you can use MOT type 1 or 10mm granite/gravel chippings. You need to rake this over and ensure it is thoroughly compact, you can use either a large piece of wood and a hammer to compact the material or for a quicker and more efficient job you can hire a vibrating compacter from your local tool shop.

Step 5- you need to add approximately 25mm of granite dust or builders sand directly onto your compacted sub base. Again ensure this is fully compacted following the above options. Spraying a bit of water on the dust/sand before compacting will help it bind and reduce the dust. 

Optional- you can add another layer of weed membrane now for extra protection but you need to ensure it is flush with the base so that any bumps aren't visible through the artificial grass. We would also advise against this if you have pets as it means it could trap pet odours.

Step 6 - Roll out the artificial grass, remember as mentioned at the top of the page you should have the pile of the grass facing the house as it tends to be the direction the grass looks best. You now need to cut the grass to size using a sharp Stanley knife. Follow the boundary edges, or edges of your frame to ensure a snug finish. You secure the perimeter using galvanised nails or U pins.

Step 7 - (applicable if you have joins) when done correctly this will mean the join is very difficult to see. Firstly ensure the 2 pieces of grass run parallel to each other, next fold the sides of the artificial grass back and roll the adhesive tape between the two pieces of artificial turf. Ensure grass rolls are butted together making sure no fibres are caught underneath. Lay the rolls in the same direction so the blades of grass all point in the same direction. Apply adhesive onto jointing tape and spread along join surface. Place roll edge onto tape making sure the fibres do not touch the glue. Push down to ensure good adhesion, once set ruffle the pile to disguise the joint. For smaller lawns it is possible to use self adhesive joining tape which removes the need for adhesive glues or sprays.

Step 8- Enjoy your lovely new Artificial lawn.