Download as PDF: How to Install Artificial Grass
I. Sub-Base Preparation
A. Cut any existing grass with a weed eater to the soil. Remove debris. Adjust soil to desired grade and compact.
B. Add 2″ of 3/8″ minus gravel screenings, meaning your gravel supplier has passed gravel through a 3/8″ screen so only the smallest pieces pass through. This mix has small particles as well as gravel up to 3/8″ and every size in between. You’ll need about 12 pounds of gravel per square foot. Use a concrete rake or drag a 3-foot 2×4 across the gravel to level it where needed. Do not use pea gravel or sand. This gravel base will promote drainage and provide a smooth surface.
C. Compact the gravel base with a water-filled roller or plate compactor rented from your home store. Use a hand tamper for small areas.
II. Cutting and Seaming
A. Artificial grass comes in 15-foot wide rolls and the manufacturing process causes blades to lean in one direction (the grain). Before you cut grass into pieces, plan your cuts so when all pieces are laid side by side their grain always faces the same direction to avoid obvious seams. Plan ahead by making a drawing of your lawn area to calculate how to cut grass to keep the grain in one direction.
B. Synthetic grass can be cut with a razor knife or carpet knife (best if cut from the back side).
C. Grass pieces are joined with seam tape. Click to read How To Seam Artificial Grass Turf with photos showing how to use StarPro seam tape and tubes of Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive FUZE . Let adhesive is dry before staking grass in the next step.
III. Staking Grass
A. For soft or sandy soil, nail the grass edges every 6 to 12 inches using nylon or plastic 8” landscape spikes or 6” metal nails that are galvanized to deter rusting. For hard soil you can nail edges every 12 inches using landscape spikes or galvanized 4” nails. Add extra nails in high traffic areas.
IV. Raking & Infilling
A. Use a soft rake, brush, or power rake against the grain to stand the grass blades up.
B. Infilling the grass with medium to coarse sand is highly recommended. It improves the look, weight, feel, drainage, life expectancy, and makes the blades stand up straight.
C. Once the seam glue is dry, pour 1/2″ of sand between blades and rake them so they stand straight. You’ll need about 3 pounds of sand per square foot.
Notice: Local or neighborhood codes, covenants, restrictions or specifications may apply to the installation of synthetic lawns. Local municipalities may offer incentives for the installation of synthetic turf. Check with your local government or water company.
Hi. We live in midtown Atlanta in a four story town home with a patio on the roof, we would like to have artificial grass there. The roof gets direct, very hot sun (west facing) in the summer and a rain spout washes rain water on a segment of the roof as well. Currently we have a decking system made of rubber, called Kontiki and we hope to install the grass on top of that. We cannot use 6″ nails in the installation. Can this be done?
Jim,
Thank you for your interest in StarPro Greens! You will have to check with the manufacturer of the roofing material or your architect and ask if artificial grass on top of your roof can be done. The only other option is to loose lay and weigh it down on the edges. It does have drainage holes. Please call me if you would like to discuss further. I am happy to help.
Dan Selton
404-295-0601
Jim,
Please give our engineer, Dan, a call at D:404-295-0601. He is great and will really help you. Thank you!
Barbara Kunkleman
StarPro Greens, Inc.
404-295-0152
I’m pretty sure the hand tamper is always to be
completed Prior to laying the sod to level the ground and provides the sod one thing
to call soon after the tilling.
NOT RELEVANT TO ARTIFICIAL GRASS.
We have an existing putting green that is well past its prime. We would like to replace it … it is kidney shaped (15 feet at the two kidney ends) and 28.5 ft. long. There are roots from nearby trees that have created a very uneven surface that will need to be leveled for sure. Do we need to replace the entire base? Also, do you have someone to recommend to do the install? We are senior citizens living in the Kennesaw area outside of Atlanta.
The MPT “Pro” should be perfect
How do we water trees that the turf is placed around? We have 3 huge Ash trees in our back yard where we wish to place turf.
If you have frame trees you need to consult and arborist. The turf has has drain holes (1/2 inch on 3×4 centers), but it will still reduce the amount of water that gets through. We recommend not placing the turf to close to the trunk (2 to 5 feet depending on the size of the tree) and pine strawing that area. Then occasionally water the area around the tree to the fall line depending on conditions.
Thanks,
Dan Selton
I am building a home in Tennessee and I am interested in 15×28 putting green and about 600 more sq, feet of artificial grass to complete back yard area. can someone please call me with recommendations on what products to use.
Thank You
Steve Munoz
805-757-8163
Sorry for the long delay, we had a glitch with the web site. Please call me at 404-295-0601 up until 8:00 your time. Quick answer MPT for the putting turf with the SPG-80 or SPG-100 as the rough.
Thanks, Dan Selton