Installing artificial grass can be carried out by most able bodied DIY enthusiast; however, consideration should be given to the weight of some of the materials required. This article details some essential hints and tips.
Measuring
When measuring the quantity of artificial grass required it is essential to incorporate an overlap of 100mm over each edge for coverage of the timber perimeter.
Survey
Undertake a ground survey to ascertain whether or not the terrain is subject to poor drainage, thereby retaining surface water. In such cases, in order to ensure a satisfactory base for EverLawn?‚? artificial grass, measures should be taken to install appropriate and adequate below surface, drainage. We would advise the crushed aggregate followed by a sand infill method.
Installation Guide
Installing artificial grass can be carried out by most able bodied DIY enthusiast; however, consideration should be given to the weight of some of the materials required. Either remove the existing turf manually or hire a turf cutter to save time and labour.
Crushed aggregate followed by sand infill method
Use treated timber stakes or treated tile batten, purchased from your local builder’s merchants to hammer into the ground. Each stake should protrude from the ground approximately 3inches or 90mm and at a distance no greater than 20inches or 500mm
Then using 4inch x 1inch or 100mm x 20mm treated timber, (always pilot hole the timbers to prevent splitting) screw to the outer edge of the stakes leaving the stakes on the inside of the perimeter. If artificial grass meets a concrete path or wall then position the 4 x 1 flush with the surface height and by using 10mm temporary timber fillets pack the timber away to enable the artificial grass to tuck between the timber and adjoining material at a later stage. Then position the stakes against the inner perimeter timber edging and hammer in to the ground ensuring the stakes are slightly lower than the timber edging. After creating a pilot hole screw the two timbers together.
Sand infill method
Use treated timber stakes or treated tile batten, purchased from your local builder’s merchants to hammer into the ground. Each stake should protrude from the ground approximately 1 inch and a half inches or 45mm and at a distance no greater than 20inches or 500mm.
Then using 2inch x 1inch or 50mm x 20mm treated timber, (always pilot hole the timbers to prevent splitting) screw to the outer edge of the stakes leaving the stakes on the inside of the perimeter. If the turf meets a concrete path or wall then position the 2 x 1 flush with the surface height and by using 10mm temporary timber fillets pack the timber away to enable the artificial grass to tuck between the timber and adjoining material at a later stage. Then position the stakes against the inner perimeter timber edging and hammer in to the ground ensuring the stakes are slightly lower than the timber edging. After creating a pilot hole screw the two timbers together.
With heavy clay soils we recommended laying a crushed stone surface of 3inches or 70mm. This isn’t necessary for the majority of lawns and only required if the ground holds water for a long period of time after rain. If your lawn floods then you do need to install adequate drainage at this stage. Compact the crushed stone using a wacker plate which can be hired from your local hire shop. Ensure the perimeters are compacted and below the timber edging by 1inch or 25mm.
Lay in the desired direction and overlap the timber perimeter with artificial grass by 4inches. Then tuck down into the ground and fix to the timber with 1inch galvanized nails. Then rake the soil to within 1ich of the surface of the artificial grass. If the artificial turf meets a path or wall and the instructions in section 2 have been completed then the artificial grass can be wedged between.
On large areas a join may be required. First lay each piece of artificial grass together ensuring the pile of each piece falls in the same direction and has an overhang of 4 inches around the perimeter. At this stage it is important to use a sharp Stanley Knife. Peel back the two grass joins. Very carefully cut the underside of the carpet as close to the stitch line as possible on each carpet.
The accuracy of this will determine how visible the join is after completion. Then pull both pieces of artificial grass together ensuring the gab between the stitching is no greater than 2mm. Then peel back the two pieces and anchor ready to glue. Position the tape onto the weed membrane and fix through both materials into the sub base with galvanized nails to prevent the tape moving. Carefully but liberally pour the adhesive to cover the tape with a glue depth of approximately 3mm. Once all the glue has reached a whitish colour it is then time to begin fixing the grass edges. Carefully lay the edges of in their final position ensuring each piece marries up and has no overlap.
As you are doing this, with your fingers mix the grass fibers together to conceal the join. Once the whole length is in place and you are happy with the appearance it is necessary to walk along the join several times thus activating the glue and bonding the grass to the tape. Small amounts of adhesive can be removed from the grass fibers using White Spirit and a small off cut of the turf. Small amounts of cured glue can usually be removed quite easily however to avoid the possibility of damage precautions should be taken to avoid contact at all times.
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