Follow this step-by-step guide to laying synthetic turf for your home DIY project.
If you desire a lush green yard without the hassle of mowing, weeding and care – synthetic turf could be the solution for you. Artificial grass requires little maintenance, is easy to install, plus you will have lush looking green grass all year round.
Our easy to follow installation guide for laying artificial grass will help you achieve and enjoy the yard of your dreams.
What you will need
- Broom
- Shovel
- Hose
- Turf adhesive tape
- Turf pegs
- Hammer
- Screeding device
- Vibrating compactor
- Artificial grass
- Easy Mix Synthetic Turf Infill Sand
- Easy Mix Crushed Bluestone or equivalent road base
- Tape measure
- Utility knife with spare blades
Step 1. Measure the Space
Measuring the space, including the square meterage, ahead of installation will assist you with buying the right amount of synthetic turf, sand, and road base.
Easy Mix Synthetic Turf Infill Sand | 1 x 20kg bag infills approximately 1-2m² of turf
Easy Mix Crushed Bluestone | 5 x 20kg bags per 1m² before compacting
Step 2. Prepare the Area
To prepare the area for laying, you will need to dig in the area to a depth of 70-80mm and remove all rocks, debris, and anything else which could get in the way.
Rake and screed the area to remove any large clumps of earth which could cause a problem later in the steps.
NOTE: If you are laying artificial grass on concrete, skip this step and jump down to Step 4
Step 3. Prepare the Base
Spread a base of approximately 60mm deep of the Crushed Bluestone or equivalent road base. Using a vibrating compactor, compact the area until there are no more soft spots and it is level.
TIP: Vibrating compactors can be hired from your local hardware store or Bunnings Warehouse.
Check that your drainage is flowing away from the house or any other structures. Spray the base lightly with water and then compact again.
Step 4. Lay the Synthetic Turf
Layout the rolls of artificial grass and let it sit for a couple of hours to remove any creases
Place the turf in its final positions and make sure the gaps between rolls are only a couple of millimetres
Using a utility knife, trim any excess turf and make sure to switch blades if you can feel it getting dull.
TIP: Always lay the separate synthetic turf pieces in the same grass blade direction, this will ensure seamless fitting.
Step 5. Joining the Artificial Grass
This is one of the most important steps to making your fake grass look realistic.
Double-check there is only a couple of mm gap between the strips of turf. Roll out the turf tape the whole length of the artificial grass. Once you are happy with the placement, you can peel back the adhesive layer and put the grass edges in place.
Make sure everything is secure by walking along the join a couple of times.
TIP: Make sure the blades of grass are folded back so they are not stuck to the tape when joining the edges.
TIP: There can be differences in the adhesion and installation of turf and tape depending on the brand. This guide is generalised and it’s best to check any product instructions for this step.
NOTE: When laying synthetic turf on concrete, you will need to use either double-sided adhesive tape (which is good for smooth surfaces) or a synthetic grass adhesive glue (best for uneven and exposed aggregate surfaces).
Step 6. Trim the Turf
Now that everything is joined and in the correct positions/place, walk around the edges and trim the grass where needed. Make sure you have a sharp blade.
Step 7. Secure your Synthetic Grass
Secure the edges of your turf with anchor nails and a hammer. Make sure to pull the turf tight and nail it as close to the edge as possible. Nails should be placed every 200 – 300 mm around the edge.
NOTE: Skip this step when laying on concrete and proceed to step 8
Step 8. Protect your Synthetic Turf
Evenly disperse a light layer of Easy Mix Synthetic Turf Infill Sand across the surface of the artificial turf.
Brush the sand into the base of bristles to keep the grass blades upright and looking natural. This will help anchor the turf to the ground so it looks natural and beautiful all year round.
