Installing artificial turf in the yard

The use of artificial turf in backyards is more and more popular. If you want to have artificial grass in one part of your backyard, here's what you should do to get it right.

We recommend that you read the instructions for installing artificial turf, or you can hire a professional installer to ensure the perfect installation of your lawn.

First of all, gather the material you will need to install your artificial turf: an ace, a shovel, a wheel barrow, a hoe, a pickaxe, etc., a scalpel, a high quality tape, some outdoor glue.

Determine the height, width and length of the area onto which the artificial grass is to be laid so that the surface you want to work on is clear. It is installed exclusively on beaten rubble as described in the installation instructions below.

Follow these 10 steps to put artificial turf in the yard properly: 

Remove the lawn
Before flatting the base, all vegetation, roots, fertilizers, large stones, etc. must be removed. Before starting the work, check that the sprinklers and electrical installations are functional. They must be positioned slightly below the surface of the planned artificial turf site. The surface is treated prior to setting the grass to prevent weeds from growing through the artificial grass.
Preparation of artificial turf base
Proper setting of the base is vital for the stability of artificial turf. Between 7.5 and 20.5 cm of rubble must evenly cover the whole area; typically, 1m3 of gravel is used for 30.52m2 of artificial turf (if between 7.5 cm and 10 cm of vegetation is displaced).
Flatten the base
Moisten the surface and use a roller or vibrating plates to straighten the base material until thecompactness of at least 90% is reached. When it gets dry, the surface must be firm and free of creases.
When the base has been laid
It is important that the top of the artificial turf is 1.25 cm above the hard surface. The planned area may also have inclinations, it does not have to be completely flat. We advise you to spray the base with a pesticide first. If necessary, place a decking or treated wood on the perimeter of the area planned for artificial turf, under the artificial turf, if the turf needs to be fixed at its ends (by nails).

5. Installing artificial turfProper stacking of rolls is crucial. Unroll the artificial turf so that each roll is facing the same direction.If there are creases, it is necessary that the rolls are spread out on a flat surface and in the sun. We recommend that you spread the artificial turf on a surface and allow it to rest between 24h and 48h.
6. Cutting and fitting artificial turf
In order to properly fit in artificial grass, it must first be spread and left to acclimate, and the final fitting in is done precisely to the contact material (wood, concrete, behaton ...).
So, before fixing and gluing, artificial turf must be cut. Artificial turf can be very easy cut with a scalpel. It is possible to use scissors as well, but a scalpel is our recommendation.

Cut the artificial turf on the back so that the dimensions match the surface onto which it is going to be laid. 

7.  Fix the artificial turf ends

In order to assemble your turf joints, use high quality tape and outdoor glue, following the instructions on the products. Lay down the tape and apply the glue before pulling the edges of the turf and putting something heavy onto them. This can be achieved with pots, stones or other heavy materials. Glue the two rolls of artificial turf together with an all-weather adhesive to make it look like a whole. Fix the turf along the edges using 15x17cm soil nails. Before pounding them, allow the turf to rest for 48 hours due to possible shrinkage. Place the stakes at every 30 cm and leave 3 cm extra material at the ends than necessary.

After that, turn on the sprinklers and confirm that they and the electrical installations are functioning.

8.  Filling artificial turf with sand and rubber

Silicone sand filler materials are used to protect and maintain the structure of artificial turf. In order to distribute the material used for filling evenly, it is important that large quantities of material are not placed on the turf at once. Do not load the filler material while artificial turf is moist.

9.  Filling material distribution

Put the filling material on the spreader (such as those for sowing grass seed) and adjust the dosing meter to 5 or medium. Always use the sand first. Vertically brush synthetic grass between each material layer using a hard industrial brush or electric broom. Brush until the height of the grass is 2cm and the height of its tips is 1.25cm. Using a hose, spray the entire surface to allow the material to settle properly. 

10.   Enjoy yourself!

Then rest and enjoy your new artificial turf that will be equally beautiful during every season.