What’s the Installation Process for Artificial Grass?

May 31, 2023

As homeowners, we are always looking for ways to improve the quality of our homes and backyards while also improving our quality of life. More and more homeowners are turning to economical, low-maintenance, long-term solutions such as artificial grass installation to improve the spaces inside and outside of their homes. If you’re considering switching your backyard to synthetic turf, you might be wondering just how involved the installation process is. Here are some things to consider about the initial stages of installation.

Out with the old in with the new

While choosing the right style and grade of turf is important to ensure you’re getting the most value out of your installation for your lifestyle, it’s equally important to make sure you’re laying your turf on a properly constructed foundation with adequate drainage. Artificial grass installation is most successful when installed on a secure, well-prepared, and properly drained surface area. The first step in installing your turf is to clean out the space where you intend to lay your artificial grass. This means removing any existing vegetation down to the roots. One of the fastest ways to do this is to broadcast a common weedkiller such as Round-Up over the area you will be installing your turf. Allow the weed killer to do its job, down to the roots, so that you don’t have any recurring vegetation attempting to break through your beautiful new synthetic lawn. When the vegetation has died off, it’s time to remove the dead plants as well as the top 3 to 4 inches of soil to allow room for pouring your base.

Sprinklers, wires, and other surprises

The ideal surface for artificial grass installation should be smooth, well-draining, and free of any vegetation or sub-surface materials that could threaten the integrity of your turf. A slight grade to the area can also be beneficial to aid in drainage. If you locate any structures under the surface of your soil such as wiring, irrigation, or sprinkler heads they will need to be dealt with properly. If they are obsolete, they need to be removed. If they are part of an existing irrigation structure, such as sprinklers, they should be capped at the pipe level to avoid future leakage. When you are removing any materials or systems from your lawn area, be sure to backfill any voids you create to avoid sunken spots or depressions in your turf down the road.

Know when to call for help

DIY projects can be excellent hobbies. It’s always fun to learn something new. However, when it comes to long-term investments such as artificial grass installation it’s important to know when to say when. While it’s common for homeowners to take on a portion of the demolition and prep work, when it comes to installing the base, turf, and border of the artificial grass, savvy homeowners call in the experts. There is much more to getting that perfect lawn than simply rolling out the turf. Professional installers have tools, like carpet stretchers, seaming material, and the right kind of anchoring pins to do the job correctly. They have the expertise to avoid common mistakes like installing the blades in the wrong direction or forgetting to add a ballast like washed silica sand to weigh down the turf.

Synthetic turf is a beautiful, comfortable, and versatile material for the backyard. It’s also a great long-term investment if installed correctly. If you’re considering artificial grass installation for your home, reach out to our expert team at Turf Suppliers Canada to make sure your project is a seamless success.