Installing Artificial Grass

Installing artificial grass is an option many people explore when building a new home, renovating an existing one, or transforming their garden.This synthetic ground covering has been around for quite some time. However, the artificial turf of today is totally different to the plastic fake grass of yesterday.

Part of your deliberations may have included how you would install your artificial lawn or areas of grass. You might also have wondered what type of project suits artificial grass. 

This article aims to help you understand the process of installing artificial grass, and give you a few ideas of how to use it in your home.

Why You Should Consider Installing Artificial Grass.

Artificial grass is suitable for many areas of your home’s outside areas, regardless of your property’s size or location. For instance, consider your lawn, yard, or pool area. Here are a few of the benefits of artificial grass.

Cut Down on Water Consumption

There are also many good reasons for installing artificial grass. An obvious one is you will cut down on water consumption. As it is not a living grass, artificial turf does not require the constant watering conventional lawns require to maintain their lush green looks. Therefore, you will save on your water bill and spread some environmental benefits to the wider community.

Maintain Lush Green Looks

Maintaining lush green looks is another reason for installing artificial grass. One of the main drivers behind producing artificial grass is to provide a covering that maintains its color. Therefore, unlike natural grass that loses its color during dry spells, artificial grass maintains its color all year round. 

Minimal Maintenance

With artificial lawns, there is a need for minimal maintenance. Indeed, a fraction of the effort you would put into maintaining a natural grass lawn. 

No Need For Fertilizer

Part of your maintenance on a natural lawn might involve the application of fertilizer. With artificial grass, there is no requirement for these potentially harmful chemicals. Indeed, according to many studies, including research by the University of North Dakota, if fertilizers are not managed correctly they can harm plant and animal life. 

We think these are some compelling reasons why you would consider installing artificial grass. Let’s now take a look at how you can install this lush green synthetic turf. 

Installing Artificial Grass

To be straight up front, installing artificial grass can be a lengthy process, as is laying a new natural lawn. However, the end result and the benefits make it worthwhile. As such, you might want to consider hiring a professional artificial grass installer. They have the skills, knowledge, and specialist tools required to ensure a top-quality job. Of course, you can do it yourself, and the process is not difficult. 

Installing Artificial Grass Stage 1 – Preparation

Before laying your new artificial turf, ensure the area to be covered is free from any objects, including grass, stones, wires, and loose soil. You then need to create a boarded border around the entire area. 

Installing Artificial Grass Stage 2 – Laying the Base

Next, it is time to lay your base. This layer consists of a mix of sand and gravel which provides good drainage for your lawn. This layer serves as a foundation, so ensure it is as flat as possible. A good tip for achieving a level surface is to dampen the sand and gravel mix, then pat it down to even it off.

On your base layer, lay a thin layer of weed barrier fabric. Doing so will help prevent weeds from growing through your artificial turf. When you have your weed barrier laid, you can start laying your artificial grass. 

Installing Artificial Grass Stage 3 – Rolling the Turf

Simply roll your turf out across the bordered area, and cut it to size. Then, secure the grass by nailing to the boards you pre-positioned along the border. Do not be concerned about these nails being visible as the long grass fibers will conceal them. 

Installing Artificial Grass Stage 4 – Infilling

The final stage is to apply infill to make the grass stand upright. Pour the infill onto the grass, then use a brush to spread it evenly across the whole area. Giving the area another brushing will help the infill move to the base of the grass and set it in place. 

Some DIY Projects

Artificial grass is an excellent material for DIY projects. You can transform areas of your home with some basic tools and a bit of elbow grease. Here are a few artificial grass DIY projects you might consider:

Build a Playground

You will put a smile on your kids’ faces with this one. Synthetic grass fibers make it a soft and bouncy material. As such, it is an ideal covering for a playground floor. 

You might consider covering a corner of your yard with artificial grass, to give your kids a safe area to play. You might have so much fun that you decide to cover the whole yard! 

Indoor Grassed Area

Let’s think outside the box – or rather, inside the home! Many people use artificial grass to create indoor green spaces. You can transform a drab room into a unique chill-out zone, or perhaps create a jungle theme for a child’s bedroom.

Go Green On Your Terrace

Having a large garden isn’t everyone’s idea of fun. Many people just want a small area of greenery for relaxation. You can transform a terrace into a small garden with some artificial grass and a few beautiful plants. You could possibly achieve this with remnants from a larger artificial grass project, so think about it before throwing pieces away.

Installing Artificial Grass – Conclusion 

Artificial grass has been transformed in recent years, and is now a great-looking, durable, and evergreen material. There are many benefits to installing artificial grass, including its looks, low maintenance, and environmental friendliness. With a few basic tools and some effort, installing artificial grass can transform your home.