Switching out your natural lawn for artificial grass comes with many benefits.  Besides being low maintenance (because you don’t need to mow or water the grass), you can save a great deal of money on utilities and apply for turf removal rebate programs that offer cash incentives. And in times of drought or groundwater shortage you won’t be subjected to spikes in your water bill.

Artificial grass looks great year-round and can be used just as you would a regular lawn – for sports, pets, and kids – all without needing to worry about doing damage to the surface.

If you’re interested in possibly doing the installation yourself, be sure to check out our DIY Easy Install Guide. Or you can get a brief overview of the process below:

How To Install Artificial Grass

1. Prepare The Surface

Depending on where you want to place your turf, you may need to do some preparation beforehand. If there is sod, natural grass, rocks, or any other material on top of the ground, you’ll need to remove it. Then, the ground should be leveled while remembering that you’ll need about three or four inches of depth available for the base material of the turf.

2. Build A Border

You’ll want to install a border that runs along the outside of your grass. You can make this as extravagant or simple as you like. Two excellent choices for a border are extruded concrete curbing and bender board.

When using bender board, you don’t need any special tools. The material is pliable, so you can bend it into any shape to fit your area. To install it, dig a trench along the border. The trench should be shallow enough that the board will be one inch above the surface when you place it in the ground. After you position the bender board in the trench, pour soil back into the area and pat it down so it holds the board firmly.

For a more customized look, extruded concrete curbing is a good choice. Concrete is first mixed in the color of your choice, then fed into a machine that extrudes it along the path of your desired border.

3. Place Your Base

There are several types of bases available, although decomposed granite is popular and works well.

Using a grading rake, grade your base. Be sure to take extra time to consider drainage and grade it according to irrigation. It can be level or you can create a more rounded, mound-like appearance. Slightly dampen the base layer and go over it with a plate compactor or tamper.

After the base is completely compact, you may want to install a rodent or weed barrier. Either can be placed over the base and secured with landscape staples. If you live in an area with heavy weed growth or small mammals, these barriers can prevent you from any inconveniences either issue might pose.

4. Lay The Turf

Lay the turf on your prepared area and cut it as needed. Only cut the turf from the back; cutting it from the front can cause damage and will make the edges rough and uneven. As you position the material, ensure that the segments of turf are all facing the same direction and are uniform in appearance. Secure any unconnected segments with weather resistant adhesive and attach the turf to your border with nails.

5. Infill Material

After installing the grass, you’ll need to sift an infill material through the blades of grass. The type of material you choose is dependent on the type of turf you install. Place the infill material in a drop spreader, and spread it evenly over the area. Take a bristled broom and go over the infill to ensure an even spread. Repeat these steps until about 3/4″ of the grass fibers are visible above the infill. Then, water the area and let it dry.

To learn more about your lawn options and how to install artificial grass, download the DIY Easy Install Guide.

 

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