Artificial Turf Installation
What you should know about installing your turf
Imagine stepping outside to a perfect green lawn every day of the year – no mowing, no mud, and no watering needed. Sounds a bit like a dream, right? With modern artificial turf installation, that dream lawn can be a reality for homeowners and business owners alike. In fact, synthetic grass has become a go-to solution nationwide for those seeking a low-maintenance, evergreen outdoor space that stays pristine year-round. But how do you go from a patchy yard to that picture-perfect fake grass paradise? And should you DIY the installation or call in the pros? In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything involved in installing artificial turf – from planning and preparation, to the installation process itself – and explain why hiring a professional can often be the smartest move. We’ll also cover some handy maintenance tips to keep your new synthetic lawn looking fresh and inviting for years to come. Let’s dive in!
Synthetic grass installation 101: Planning and preparation
A nice and successful grass setup starts long before the turf rolls out. You’ve got to plan properly and prep work are key to a smooth installation. First, measure your space and needs. Are you covering a small front yard, a large backyard, or is this for a commercial area? Measure the square footage of the area where you want turf and factor in the shape and any obstacles (trees, walkways, etc.). This will determine how much artificial turf you need and how it should be cut and laid out. (I want to emphasize cut, because you only get one chance to cut it) It’s also important to choose the right type of artificial grass for your project – there are varieties designed for landscaping, heavy foot traffic, pets, sports, and more. If you have pets, you might want a turf with anti-microbial infill so it doesn’t stink; if it’s a play area for kids, you may want extra cushioning. Planning these details upfront will help your artificial turf installation be not just a gorgeous area but also serve a good purpose. Equally important is preparing the ground for installation. Typically, the existing lawn (or whatever surface is there) needs to be removed. This means digging out the natural grass, weeds, and a few inches of soil to create space for the turf system. You’ll also need to plan for good drainage – synthetic turf allows water to seep through, but you must have a base that lets water drain away properly. That usually involves laying a layer of crushed stone or gravel. Think about edging, too: Many professional installations include a border or frame (like bender board or concrete curbs) to give the turf a clean perimeter and keep everything in place. If this sounds like a lot, it is! Even at the planning stage, you might already see why people opt for professional help – pros will handle measuring, ordering the right materials, and making sure nothing is overlooked (like checking for irrigation lines or wiring under the soil).
Installing a Fake Lawn: A Step-By-Step Guide
Once the preparation is done, it’s time to actually install your fake lawn. Whether you do it yourself or hire a team, the process involves multiple steps that must be done correctly for the turf to look and perform its best. Artificial turf installation isn’t really just tearing up the lawn and rolling a green carpet although that’s what slick Instagram reels make it seem like – it’s a construction project in itself. Here’s a guide of the key steps in installing artificial grass (so you know what to expect or supervise):
- Clear the Area (Remove Old Lawn): The first step is to remove any existing grass, plants, or debris in the area. This usually means digging out the top few inches of soil. All old sod, roots, and rocks are cleared away. (Pro tip: disposing of a full lawn’s worth of dirt is no small task – pros will haul it off for you. They might have a dumpster or dump trailer ready since soil piles up quickly. Removing the old lawn creates space for the layers of base and turf to come.
- Grade and Drain: With the native soil exposed, the ground is graded (leveled and contoured) as needed. If you have any slope for drainage, the installer will preserve that gentle pitch so rainwater will run off properly. Some projects also involve installing a simple drainage system at this stage – for instance, adding a gravel trench or a small drain pipe in areas that collect water. Proper drainage under the turf prevents puddles from forming later.
- Add the Base Layer: Next, a base material is added to the cleared area. Commonly, this is a couple of inches of crushed rock or decomposed granite. This base is spread evenly across the ground. The purpose of the base is to create a stable, well-draining foundation for the turf
. Once spread, the base gravel is lightly wetted with water and then compacted thoroughly (using a plate compactor or roller). After compaction, you have a firm, level surface. This ones actually pretty important – a solid base ensures your artificial lawn will be smooth and safe (no sinkholes or bumps) and it also helps the turf last way longer. - Install Edging (If Needed): Depending on your project, you might install edging along the perimeter at this point. Edging can be plastic bender board, metal strips, concrete curbing, or wood, and it helps you separate the turf from any flowerbeds or other surfaces. It also gives you something to secure the turf against at the edges. Not every installation uses edging, but it can provide a cleaner look and help keep everything in place over time when winds, heavy rain, snow or your offspring’s friends come over to ruin everything as they normally do.
- Lay Out the Turf: Now for the exciting part – rolling out the new artificial grass! The turf rolls are laid over the prepared base. Installers will maneuver each roll into position, being careful not to disturb the smooth base underneath. It’s recommended to let the turf sit in the sun for a while before final positioning, as the heat makes it more flexible and helps remove any wrinkles. When unrolling multiple pieces, it’s critical to orient them correctly: all turf pieces must have the grass blades brushing in the same direction so the color and texture are uniform
. This might involve flipping or rotating rolls. Once in place, the turf is roughly cut to the shape of the area, leaving a few extra inches around the edges to trim precisely later. - Join the Seams: If your project uses more than one piece of turf, the seams where pieces meet need special care. The goal is to make multiple pieces of turf look like one continuous lawn. To join seams, installers use seam tape and adhesive (or sometimes staples). The process involves pulling the edges of two turf pieces together over a strip of seam tape, then applying a strong glue in a zig-zag “S” pattern on the tape, and pressing the turf edges onto it. This bonds the pieces together. It’s meticulous work – the edges must line up perfectly with no gaps or overlapping fibers. Pros take their time here because well-done seams will be virtually invisible, whereas a bad seam can be an eyesore. Sometimes they’ll use nails to pin the joined seam down as extra reinforcement once the glue sets.
- Trim and Secure Edges: With the turf laid out and seamed, the next step is to trim the excess turf along the borders for a perfect fit. Using a sharp utility knife, the installer carefully cuts the turf to match the exact shape of your lawn edges (around planters, paths, etc.). A little extra (about ¼ to ½ inch) is often left over the edge initially to tuck down for a snug finish. After trimming, it’s time to secure the perimeter. This is usually done with landscape spikes or turf nails driven into the ground at regular intervals (e.g. a 5-6 inch long nail every 6-8 inches along the edges. The nails have wide heads that pin the turf down tightly. They’re driven flush so they disappear into the grass. This step locks down your lawn so it won’t shift. Additional nails are also placed along seams or high-traffic areas as needed for extra hold.
- Add Infill: Most artificial turf installations require an infill material to be added on top of the grass. Infill is often a sand (silica sand) or a rubber granule (or a mix of both) that gets brushed into the turf and settles among the grass blades. Why infill? It weighs the turf down, helps keep the blades upright, and contributes to a natural feel underfoot. Using a spreader or simply by casting with shovels, the crew distributes infill across the entire lawn. The amount and type of infill depends on the turf product and its usage (for instance, pet-friendly infill might have odor control, sports turf might use rubber for cushioning).
- Brush and Finish: After infill is spread, the turf is given a good brushing. A power broom or a stiff push broom is used to brush the grass fibers against the grain, which helps them stand up and also lets the infill settle down to the base. This final grooming makes the lawn look full and fluffy. Lastly, the area is cleaned up – any stray pieces of turf are removed, and the new lawn might be lightly hosed down to rinse off dust. At this point, your artificial lawn looks and feels like real grass, minus the maintenance.
- Time to enjoy!
Congratulations – the fake lawn installation is complete.
As you can see, installing artificial turf involves a lot of steps and some serious labor. If you’ve read this far and feel a bit overwhelmed picturing yourself doing all that – you’re not alone! Many people opt to hire professional installers to handle the heavy work and technical details. In a small DIY project you might manage with basic tools, but for anything sizable, the compactors, tons of base rock, and precise seaming can be daunting. So, let’s explore the differences between DIY and professional installation, and why leaning on the pros can be a smart decision.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
So, should you roll up your sleeves or call in an expert for your artificial turf installation? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some clear considerations that tilt many homeowners and business owners toward hiring professionals. DIY installation can be tempting if you’re handy – it might save you some money on labor, and you get the satisfaction of doing it yourself. Small areas like a tiny patio strip or dog run might be reasonable for a DIY project if you’re really handy with tools and things such as myself. However, be realistic about what’s involved: removing several tons of soil, perfectly leveling ground, hauling heavy rolls of turf, and meticulously finishing everything is hard work. Mistakes can be costly – if you mis-grade the base or mess up a seam, you could end up with drainage issues or visible faults that are tough to fix. On the other hand, professional installation comes at an upfront cost, but you’re paying for expertise, efficiency, and peace of mind that the job is done right. In many cases, especially for larger lawns or commercial projects, going with experienced turf installers is worth it. Here are some key benefits of hiring professionals instead of doing it yourself:
- Expertise & Experience: Seasoned turf installers have done this dozens or hundreds of times. They know the tricks of the trade – how to contour the base for perfect drainage, how to make seams disappear, and how to tackle unique yard challenges. Their experience means they can adapt on the fly (for example, handling an odd-shaped lawn or obstacles) and still deliver a great result. This level of expertise is hard for a DIYer to match on their first try, no matter how many YouTube videos watched.
- Proper Tools & Materials: As mentioned, a proper artificial grass installation needs some specialized tools (from plate compactors to power brooms) and high-quality materials (like certain infills or industrial-strength adhesives). Professionals come fully equipped with all the tools and high-grade supplies needed. You won’t have to rent or buy equipment you might never use again. Moreover, pros often have access to better turf products – they can recommend the best type of artificial grass for your needs and area. Their know-how extends to selecting materials that will hold up over time (so you don’t accidentally install a turf that fades quickly or isn’t suited for your climate).
- Time & Efficiency: Let’s face it – installing turf yourself could take many long days (or weekends). If you’re not experienced, tasks tend to go slower. Meanwhile, a professional crew can typically finish a residential artificial lawn in a day or two, start to finish. Instead of living with a torn-up yard for a week or more, you’ll have an instant lawn before you know it. For business owners, this efficiency is crucial; pros can install after-hours or within a tight timeline, minimizing any disruption to your business. Project speed is a big advantage of hiring pros – they get your yard back to normal (actually, better than normal) fast. You can skip the backache and enjoy your new turf sooner.
- Quality of Work (No Mistakes): Professional installers stake their reputation on delivering a flawless looking lawn. They have refined techniques to avoid common pitfalls that DIYers might encounter – like uneven surfaces, bumps, visible seams, or edges that lift up. When pros handle it, you’re likely to get a refined appearance with no tell-tale signs that your lawn is artificial.
(aside from how perfect it looks!). Everything will be tightly secured and built to last. Plus, many reputable installers offer a warranty on their work, so if anything does go wrong (say, a seam separates), they’ll come back and fix it. That’s hard to put a price on. - Less Stress & Heavy Lifting: Think about the physical work: ripping out a natural lawn, hauling wheelbarrows of dirt, carrying rolls of turf that can weigh several hundred pounds, hammering stakes, and shoveling gravel. It’s a workout, to say the least. By hiring a crew, you spare yourself (and your friends who’d you rope in) this exhaustion. Professionals do this every day, so they’re conditioned for it and have enough hands on deck to do it safely. You can avoid potential DIY injuries or fatigue. Your job becomes simply watching the transformation happen – and maybe providing the crew with a cold drink 😅.
- Long-Term Support & Advice: A good installer won’t just vanish after the job. They often provide guidance on how to care for your new synthetic lawn. As part of the installation service, you’ll likely get artificial turf maintenance advice tailored to your setup
. This might include how to clean it, when to add infill in the future, etc. Some companies even offer periodic maintenance services. Essentially, you gain a partner in keeping your lawn perfect. If you DIY, you’re on your own to figure out upkeep or troubleshoot any issues down the line.
Basically, hiring professionals is always going to give you the best outcome even if the work they did wasn’t on their list of top 5 jobs I’ve ever done in my life it would still be better than your 4th attempt at doing this myself. While DIY might save a bit of money upfront, remember that sometimes cheap things are more expensive than the real deal since you could possibly mess something up- could possibly mess yourself up, could possibly have an accident etc etc. For most homeowners and businesses, letting experts handle the install is worth every penny – you’ll end up with a beautiful lawn and none of the headaches!
Artificial Grass Maintenance
One of the biggest perks of artificial turf is how easy it is to maintain compared to natural grass. Say goodbye to weekly mowing, edge trimming, constant watering, and seasonal fertilizing. A synthetic lawn stays green with all year round! But okay slow down their ghost rider, “low maintenance” doesn’t mean no maintenance at all. To keep your fake grass looking as lush and clean as the day it was installed, you’ll want to perform a bit of routine care. The good news: these tasks are simple and don’t need to be done often. Here are some artificial grass maintenance tips for a long-lasting unalive lawn:
Yes! Artificial grass can look like this after your pet uses as it as a toilet, chemical drops, sun UV exposure over years at a time, and anything else harmful!
- Regular Cleaning: Remove the leaves, twigs, and debris from the turf surface once in a while. You can use a leaf blower, a plastic rake (metal prongs can damage the turf), or even a stiff broom to gather debris. This will stop things that could degrade over time and stick to the grass accumulate and just eat up the grass or cause it to get moldy. For business owners, a quick spray, can keep things looking presentable. Aim to do this light cleaning as needed (maybe once a week during heavy leaf-fall seasons, less often otherwise).
- Rinse to Remove Dust or Spills: Every now and then, hose down your artificial lawn to rinse off dust or dirt, especially in dry climates. If you have pets, you’ll want to rinse areas where they urinate to avoid odors – the backing of most turfs is perforated to let water (and pet pee) drain through easily. For the occasional spill (food, drinks) or pet mess, just pick up any solid waste and rinse the spot. A mild soap with water can be used for any stubborn residue. The polypropylene or polyethylene fibers won’t be harmed by gentle cleaners. A quick rinse also helps keep the turf cooler on very hot days.
- Brushing the Fibers: Over time and with foot traffic, the grass blades of your turf can get a bit compacted or flattened (especially in high-use spots like a play area or where you always walk). To keep it looking full and springy, brush the turf fibers “against the grain” now and then. Use a stiff-bristled push broom or a specialized turf brush to comb against the direction the fibers are leaning. This will perk them back up and redistribute the infill evenly. For a typical yard, doing this once every month or two is fine – or just target any areas that look like they need a pick-me-up. Brushing is an easy way to refresh the appearance of your lawn so it continues to mimic natural grass.
- Weed and Pest Check: Artificial turf greatly reduces weeds, but tiny weeds can occasionally sneak through drainage holes or along the edges. If you spot any sprouting, pull them out or treat them. It’s much less effort than weeding a natural lawn, for sure. Likewise, while pests like lawn grubs are basically eliminated (nothing for them to feed on), you might still want to keep an eye out for debris that could attract bugs. Overall, you’ll find far fewer insects in an artificial lawn, which is a nice bonus (no more muddy ant hills or lawn grub damage patches!).
- Protect the Turf Surface: While artificial grass is durable, it’s smart to avoid damaging it. Be mindful with things like barbecue grills or fire pits – intense heat or hot coals can melt the synthetic fibers. If you’re hosting a cookout, position heat sources off the turf. Also, avoid stabbing the turf with sharp tools; for example, if you’re setting up a tent or holiday decorations, use caution with stakes. Since this turf isn’t grass it doesn’t grow back you poke a hole in it, that hole is going to be there for eternity never in a million years will it grow. During winter, you typically don’t need to do much – if it snows, you can let it melt naturally. If you must remove snow, use a plastic shovel and take care not to scrape too hard. Most turf is built to handle winter fine (the backing and infill allow water expansion and drainage).
The true beauty of artificial turf is that these simple habits are pretty much all you need to keep it looking amazing. There’s no fertilizing or mowing schedule – just occasional cleaning and just being conscious of what you’re doing, not dropping super hot wet material, or the deep frying oil from the french fries you just made. And unlike real sod that can get brown spots or bare patches, your synthetic lawn will remain uniformly green if you follow these instructions. Over many years, high-traffic spots might show some wear or the turf might eventually age (typically after 15-20 years of use for a good-quality turf). But with basic care, you’ll enjoy a gorgeous lawn for a very long time. In fact, many manufacturers warranty their turf for a decade or more, and it’s not uncommon for artificial grass to last well beyond that with proper maintenance.
I hope this guide has helped you to make an educated decision on your turf! Now, the best thing you could do next is sign up for our mailing list, or get a quote from us today! We’ll have a landscaper over your location to give you a speedy estimate and match all your qualifications ASAP!