Synthetic Grass Products & Installation – How to Install Artificial Grass
How to install artificial grass properly depends on careful planning, thorough ground preparation, proper drainage, and accurate turf installation. From preparing the sub-base and positioning the turf to securing seams and applying infill, each stage contributes to a stable, natural-looking, and long-lasting artificial grass installation.
Needed Tools
Artificial grass material cut to your dimensions
(15’ width min/ 60 sq. ft. min orders).
Utility knife
Shovel/rake
Tape measure
Stiff bristled push broom
Stamper
Sand infill (at least 30 grit)
Landscape stakes/Recommended or Fabric stakes
Golf: Flag, pole & cup
Seaming Tape and adhesive
Also Read: How to Maintain Your Artificial Lawn
Design Phase
- Proper Drainage: Is the current drainage system adequate? Will installing artificial grass require extra drains, grading, or sloping?
- Soil Condition: Do you need to wet or soften the ground? Or use a jackhammer to remove large rocks? Rain-soaked soil may need a few days to dry before starting.
- Irrigation: Are there sprinklers for remaining trees and plants? Or does irrigation need finishing first? Identify all below-ground irrigation and electrical lines that could get damaged.
- Damage Prevention: Get supplies to prevent damage from rodents or animals. Rodent wire (like chicken wire) may help. Is there a dog that could pull up the grass? If so, secure the perimeter.
- Existing Design: Is there a concrete border? Is it smooth? Will you need to nail into concrete? Install borders and edging first. This gives accurate grass measurements.
- Measurements: Measure carefully to minimize seams. This reduces labor and helps ensure efficient use of artificial grass material.
- Design Tips: Note the grain direction. Install all sections in the same direction. Opposing grains may cause visible seams.
Ground Preparation
- Underground Hazards: Locate all irrigation heads. Cap or remove unwanted heads. Verify irrigation works before starting. Do the same with electrical.
- Removing Existing Material: Use a sod cutter, shovel, and pickaxe to remove grass, sod, roots, mulch, and rocks. Grade the sub-base.
- Base Preparation: The base surface maintains the artificial grass. Spread 3/8” crushed stone evenly over the area. Use 1 yard per 100 square feet of grass. Remove 3-4 inches of existing landscape first.
- Spread base material evenly. Grade and level for drainage. Shape as desired – flat, rolled, mounded.
- Lightly wet the area. Compact the base until 90% compaction. When dry, the area should be smooth and firm.
- Ensure the blade tops are 1⁄2” above the hardscape. Add blade height to base depth. Remove extra at edges. The area can slope slightly.
- If needed, install rodent wire over the whole sub-base. Overlap squares. Staple wire to ground.
- If needed, install perimeter boards or treated lumber.
If you want to add extra features, like a weed barrier, make sure you integrate it before laying down the artificial turf. A weed barrier can be considered when site conditions call for additional weed control, and it should be installed as part of the planned base and preparation system.
Also Read: Ways to Reduce Your Water Bill at Home
How Much Does It Cost to Install Artificial Turf?
The cost to install artificial turf varies based on the size of the area, site preparation, turf selection, drainage requirements, edging, seams, infill, and labor. Projects that require extensive excavation, grading, removal of existing landscaping, or additional drainage work may require more preparation than straightforward installations. Evaluating the complete installation system—not just the price of the turf—provides a more realistic understanding of artificial grass installation costs.
What Affects Artificial Grass Installation Cost?
- Project size and layout can affect the amount of turf, base material, infill, and labor required.
- Ground preparation may increase the project scope when existing grass, roots, rocks, or unsuitable material must be removed.
- Drainage and grading requirements depend on the existing conditions of the installation area.
- Turf selection can affect cost because products differ in construction, density, blade height, durability, and intended application.
- Edging, borders, seams, and custom landscape features can add materials and installation time.
- Infill and other installation materials also contribute to the overall project requirements.
Artificial Grass Installation
- Unroll the grass and stretch over the base. Don’t drag across the base. Lay it flat in the sun to remove wrinkles. Keep grain direction the same.
- Cut the artificial grass to fit with a knife or cutter. Cut from the back to see stitches, and make sure you finish before seaming.
- For curved edges, cut small increments to match design. Mark lines on the back with a silver marker as a guide.
- If seaming two rolls, trim edges very straight. Lay adjacent on base in position. Match stitch lines for invisible seams.
- Place the edges together, and line up stitches. Fold back edges and apply adhesive in a zigzag. Fold together over seaming material.
- Secure around the seam. Use 6-7” landscape staples, alternating the sides every 6”. Place weight on seam while glue dries.
- Attach the artificial grass to the border. The method depends on the border.
- For treated lumber borders, nail every 3-6” with 20D or 40D nails.
- For Polyboard borders, attach with an air gun.
- If there’s no perimeter material, use 6-7” stakes 12” apart at edges.
- Check irrigation and electrical before infill. Repair any damage and ensure they’re working.
Can You Install Artificial Grass Yourself?
Artificial grass can be installed as a DIY project when the area is manageable and the installer has the right tools, materials, time, and experience. However, successful installation involves more than laying the turf: excavation, grading, base preparation, compaction, drainage, cutting, seaming, perimeter fastening, and infill all need to be completed carefully. Larger areas, difficult access, drainage challenges, multiple seams, or specialized designs may benefit from professional installation.
Artificial Grass Infill
Proper infill installation is critical to maintaining your artificial grass system because the infill protects the turf blades and maintains level design. See the chart for amounts per grass type.
Common infill materials include washed sand and cryogenic rubber or acrylic coated sand.
- Spread the infill evenly with a drop spreader. Don’t dump large quantities because that would make it hard to ensure even distribution. Likewise, don’t install wet infill to avoid clumping.
- Place the infill in the drop spreader and set the dispenser gauge to 5 or Medium. Spread the infill liberally but evenly. Always install sand infills first. Spread 1⁄2 lb per pass.
- Brush the synthetic fibers upright. Use a stiff-bristled industrial broom, Grandi Groom, carpet rake, or a power broom.
- Repeat the infill process until 1⁄2 of blades are exposed above infill.
- Water the entire artificial turf installation evenly to settle the infill. Adjust the infill again after it is dry.
Common Artificial Grass Installation Mistakes to Avoid
Avoiding common installation mistakes can help protect the appearance, stability, drainage, and long-term performance of artificial turf. Watch for the following issues:
- Skipping proper excavation, grading, or base preparation.
- Failing to address drainage problems before laying the turf.
- Leaving the base uneven or inadequately compacted.
- Cutting turf inaccurately around curves, borders, and landscape features.
- Installing adjoining sections with different grain directions.
- Creating visible seams by failing to align stitch lines correctly.
- Failing to secure vulnerable edges and perimeter areas.
- Applying infill unevenly or leaving turf fibers flattened.
Clean Up
Wash or sweep out and base material from the surrounding hardscape and clean up planter areas and swimming pools.
Care and Maintenance
Routine Maintenance
- Use a leaf blower to remove organic materials. Switch to a landscaping rake for heavier objects. You can also use a stiff broom to “bloom” or fluff up the turf in high traffic areas. We recommend Harper #6924A.
- Use a shop VAC for dry spills. Hold the hose above the surface to avoid removing the infill.
- Check edges for weeds. Remove or use pre/post emergent like RoundUp.
- If infill is disturbed, let dry, remove debris, and fluff with broom to redistribute.
Spot Cleaning or Disinfecting
- Rinse sticky spills to avoid dirt sticking.
- Use disinfectants if needed, but make sure to rinse it after to avoid residue.
- Remove food waste quickly to avoid pest problems.
- Get rid of paint with paint thinner or remover, then rinse off the residue with water.
- Use ice to remove gum.
Also Read: Is Artificial Grass Easy to Clean with Dogs?
Pet Clean-Up
- Remove solid waste normally, then wash off urine and poop residue.
- Apply pet-friendly enzyme cleaners to bathroom spots to eliminate odors.
How Long Does Artificial Grass Installation Take?
The time required to install artificial grass depends on the size of the project, existing site conditions, access, drainage requirements, weather, and design complexity. Smaller projects with straightforward preparation may take less time, while larger installations can require additional work for excavation, grading, base compaction, drainage, seaming, edging, and infill. Proper preparation should not be rushed because each stage contributes to the stability and finished appearance of the turf.
Putting Green Installation Highlights
- A backyard putting green installation process, including proprietary “TourFringe,” a true apron cut, providing the distinctive “3-cut” putting green look like real greens.
- Home putting green installation process including moguls, tiers, bulkheads, and bunkering reminiscent of real course designs of Palmer, Nicklaus, Dye, and Doak.
- A “contoured elevation” practice putting green synthetic turf installation resulting in spectacular and realistic aesthetics, with “flow” and “subtleties.”
- Pure and “tight” professional putting surface with conditions replicating tour greens.
As an artificial grass company, we are here to provide you with all the information you need on synthetic grass products. We also offer professional installation services and landscaping solutions.
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions about the EasyTurf artificial grass installation process.
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Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ's)
How do you install artificial grass turf?
A typical installation includes planning the area, removing existing material, preparing and compacting the base, positioning and cutting the turf, joining seams, securing the perimeter, applying infill, and brushing the fibers upright.
How much does it cost to install artificial turf?
Cost depends on project size, site preparation, turf selection, drainage, edging, seams, infill, and labor. A site-specific assessment provides a more accurate estimate.
Can artificial grass be installed directly over soil?
Artificial grass should not simply be placed over untreated soil. Proper excavation, grading, base preparation, drainage planning, and compaction help create a stable foundation.
Is professional artificial grass installation necessary?
Not every project requires professional installation, but larger or more complex projects may benefit from experienced installers, particularly when extensive preparation, drainage work, multiple seams, or specialized designs are involved.
