Top Tips for Installing Artificial Turf

Artificial grass installation is becoming increasingly popular. Fake grass installation is now easier than ever, providing a low-maintenance option for a beautiful year-round lawn. If you’ve decided to save money by installing artificial grass yourself, it can be difficult to know where to begin. An excellent place to start is by purchasing your synthetic turf from a reliable retailer.

They will frequently provide helpful and educational recommendations on how to install and manage your new lawn to keep it looking its best for as long as possible. If you’re interested in an artificial lawn, research the pros and cons— there are plenty of both. If you’ve done that and you’re ready to install, these tips can help you achieve the best of the low-maintenance realism that artificial turf offers. (1)

Kill Existing Grass in a Safe Way

Make sure the entire grass is dead before covering it with artificial grass Florida if you’re replacing a lawn that’s gone brown or has been struggling for years. Solarization is the most secure method. That involves wrapping it in black plastic and letting the sun blast it, along with any weeds that are still growing, to death. The procedure takes several months. 

Alternatively, you can simply dig out the old grass. To get all of the roots, you’ll need to remove at least four inches of topsoil. That’s a lot of dirt, so make sure you have a disposal strategy in place.

Make a Solid Substrate

Artificial turf can be installed directly on the ground. However, it will not resemble a lawn since all of the minor bumps and depressions will be apparent and distracting. Professionals recommend installing a four-inch base of road base rock or something similar. You can then compact it to a firm surface. 

To make a smooth underlayment for the turf, follow this with a half to an-inch layer of compacted sand or decomposed granite. If you don’t want to go that deep, a one-inch layer of compacted sand is sufficient for stability, comfort, and drainage. As you continue, grade (flatten and level) the underlay. To prevent water from gathering under the turf and deteriorating it, flat parts of your new artificial turf must have a minimum slope of a quarter inch per foot toward a runoff point.

Maintain Blade Direction Uniform

Artificial grass in Florida, like carpeting, comes in large rolls that are difficult to handle for one person. You’ll require assistance carrying and arranging them. When you obtain a roll in the general installation area, let it sit in the sun for about an hour before unrolling it. It will be more malleable and flatter to lay out. 

When laying two sections of turf side by side to cover a large area, ensure the blades of both pieces are pointing in the same direction. If they face opposing directions, your new lawn will resemble patchwork rather than continuous work.

Cut Slightly Longer Edges

When laying out the grass, you’ll need to trim the edges, just like you’d trim carpeting around the border of a room. Pros advocate using a sharp utility knife and cutting from the back. Leave a few extra inches on the edges for tucking under borders or against pathways. If you leave too much, you can always chop more in the end. 



However, if you leave too few gaps, you may wind up with difficult-to-hide gaps. Landscape staples or landscape nails can be used to secure the edges. To stretch the grass and keep it free of wrinkles and loose places, use a carpet installer’s knee kicker.

Brush the Infill into Place

Apply the infill material of your choice with a drop spreader in the quantity specified by the turf manufacturer. Brush it into the lawn with a hard-bristle push broom in the same direction as the blades to make the blades stand out. While a uniform distribution of infill is usually preferred, high-traffic areas may benefit from a bit more infill. This can assist the grass in tolerating greater wear and strain while also keeping it erect, extending its life.

Select Turf and Infill Based on the Anticipated Use

The synthetic turf is comprised of nylon, polypropylene, or polyethylene. Nylon is the softest and most lifelike of the materials, but it is also the least durable. Polypropylene is the polar opposite: it is sturdy but not realistic. Polyethylene finds a decent balance, and it’s the greatest choice if you have dogs because it’s easy to clean and deodorize. 

Another crucial consideration is pile height. For high-traffic areas, two to three inches is ideal, boosting the product’s durability and making it more pleasant for walking and playing. A pile height of half to one and a half inches is easier to maintain and is a better choice for low-traffic locations such as courtyards and apartment balconies. The material you sprinkle over the turf shortly after putting green installation is referred to as infill. 

It helps keep the turf down and assists in decreasing the heat retention of the artificial grass blades. Some of the most frequent infills include acrylic-coated sand and silica sand. Another eco-friendly solution with deodorizing capabilities that can benefit households with dogs is zeolite.

Think About the Sun’s Position.

The position of the sun is an often overlooked issue. Sunlight, like natural grass, can cast reflections and shadows on the best artificial turf, altering its appearance. If feasible, position your artificial grass so that the sunlight accentuates its appearance. It’s simple: lay out a sample and examine it from various perspectives.

Temperature is Important

When it comes time to lay down your grass, the temperature may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, in certain temperatures, artificial grass is easier to work with. Artificial grass is more pliable and simpler to cut and shape during warmer days, allowing the installation procedure to go more smoothly.

Imitate Natural Lawn Inconsistencies

There is no such thing as a flawless natural lawn. There will always be some little anomalies, whether in color, texture, or level. You can make your fake lawn look more natural by mimicking these inconsistencies. Consider using slightly varying shades of green in different regions or incorporating slight undulations in the sub-base.