How To Install Artificial Grass

Artificial grass is the perfect solution to keep your lawn looking neat and green all year round. It has raised its popularity in the UK by being a low-maintenance alternative to regular grass, so we’ve put together a guide that contains expert tips and hints on how to lay your artificial grass as easily as possible.

Tools and materials you’ll need

  • A sharp knife with spare blades
  • A tape measure or a straight edge tool
  • Gloves and knee pads (for comfort)
  • Compaction plate or roller
  • Turf cutter or a spade
  • A stiff broom or motorised power brush
  • Weed membrane
  • Joining tape (to join multiple cuts)
  • Glue for artificial grass (used with joining tape)
  • Grass pins
  • Type 1 aggregate
  • Grano dust

Before you begin, here are a few things to consider:

  • Ensure your garden has adequate draining and there is no water retention
  • Remove any excess weeds, unwanted plants and obstacles

Preparing a hard surface for artificial grass

You need to ensure that your surface is smooth and levelled so that you can easily install your artificial grass with no hassle. Here are the tips on how to prep your surface:

  • If you have a natural turf in your garden, you need to make sure that it is removed. You can use a turf cutter (for a large area) or a shovel (for a small area) to remove it.
  • Remove all natural grass and subsoil to a depth of 10cm (if your ground is compacted and free draining, then you can remove only 7cm). Artificial grass should not be installed over topsoil to ensure that the finished product does not stand unnaturally tall over the surrounded areas.
  • Compact the surface. You can do so with a roller or a vibrating plate
  • To ensure that all weeds are removed, you can use a weed killer spray on the area you’re installing the artificial grass.
  • Edge the area. This can be done using timber, metal concrete or brick, ensuring that is in not above the final grass height. Green4Life artificial grass is available in pile heights from 16mm to 38mm, so you should lay the height of your edge accordingly.
  • Lay the base. Typically, you will need between 50-70mm compacted and levelled layer of Type 1 aggregate and a 20mm top layer of compacted and levelled Grano dust (also known as ‘Fine Type 1’).
  • Compress the material and provide a firm base. The base layer should be roughly 20mm below the top of your edging.
  • Cover the base with a weed membrane and pin it close to the edging.

Installing your artificial grass

  • Lay the artificial grass over the areas whilst leaving some spare material to overlap the edges so that you will have enough material to trim for a close finish.
  • Cut the overlapping edges to create a clean finish around your edging.
  • You may need to join two or more pieces together, so roll them all out ensuring that the grass fibres run in the same direction.
  • Fold back the edges of the first piece and locate the rolls of stitching. Cut along the backing between the rolls of stitching using a sharp knife (avoid cutting grass fibres). Remove the excess strips and repeat the same process for the rest of the pieces.
  • Position the pieces together to ensure that they line up and then fold back the edges (by about 30cm) to place the joining tape.
  • Roll out the joining tape (shiny side down) on the ground between the two lengths of artificial grass.
  • Spread glue onto the joining tape, you can use a spreader to apply the glue evenly along the tape.
  • Carefully, start folding the two pieces together from one end to the other.
  • Once both edges are folded over, lightly brush over the join to put pressure on it and firm it down.
  • Allow for the glue to dry (from 2 hours to a day, depending on the weather).

Now you can relax and admire your new lawn! Proper maintenance will ensure that your lawn lasts for decades. You can have a look at our tips on how to maintain your artificial lawn. If you’re certain that artificial grass is the right solution for your lawn, you can check out our wide range of artificial grass products.

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Jodie Rose

Just left us a 5 star review

google

A huge thank you to Nithi and his team. Was a smooth process from start to finish , great support and information given. The team showed up at 10am and worked non stop all day! They finished around 5pm. The garden is amazing and totally unrecognisable! All my neighbours are commenting on it and considering using the company themselfs. It’s really made the world of difference for our family already. Thanks so much guys you have been amazing! Pictures of before and after

google

What fantastic service from the team. Punctual, professional, and very tidy. Fantastic installation - very pleased with the result. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone thinking of installing artificial grass

google

I have had problems with my turf for the last 4 years and been laid three times found no solution but to look at the option of astroturf. Having 5-6 different surveys, Saygrass was the most consultive understanding and understanding of my concerns having two dogs. From completing the survey I managed to receive a quote within 15 minutes. After booking installation was complete in 2 weeks. The team were friendly experienced knowledgeable and complete the job in less than half a day. There was no mess and advised me on maintenance and aftercare. Can 100% highly recommend Saygrass, fantastic service .

google

Saygrass did a great job. Nitii and team were professional , on time and friendly. Fully recommend this company. Happy with our new garden - Amazing work - 5 star

google

The Saygrass team were extremely professional from start to finish, and I am very impressed by the quality of the work carried out, and the short duration it took them to accomplish this. The price was also considerably favourable.

google

Fantastic job from start to finish - highly recommended!

google

From start to finish the process was hassle free. Very well priced. Lads very good and very quick at their job. Very pleased.

google

Amazing work highly professional workers good materials with incredible result I am recommending the company

google

I would not hesitate in recommending this company. I never do reviews but these guys more than deserve a glowing review. Process was really clear from the start. The guys worked so hard and I couldn't believe how much they got done on day one. Great value for money and super quality work. Can't wait to enjoy my new garden!

google

Saygrass did a great job in my garden at a good price. Elly provided the best customer service - she was available to help throughout the entire process. I would recommend being present from start to finish to ensure things are being done exactly to your liking as there were a couple of things I wished were done a little differently - but nothing that has impinged on my enjoyment of the garden. I would use this company again.

google

Good pre service , excellent work on the ground. Finish looks great

google

Did a amazing job very happy

google

I had my garden done in fake grass and my slabs done at my front and so happy with it

google

We had our artificial grass done couple of years ago. It was great, they did a great job at a competitive price. We had maintenance service afterwards, again it was well done and efficient, at a reasonable price. 5 star and trustworthy. Thank you!

google

So pleased with our new grass. The work and preparation put in before they laid the grass was amazing. The guys worked really hard throughout. Highly recommended.

google

Extremely grateful for the service we have had from you has been impeccable from receiving the free samples right through to your help and advice with installation.Excellent customer service, we couldn't be more pleased with the results. Will most definitely recommend you.Thanks ones again for all your help.

google

Genuinely I cannot make one single complain about this company. Genuine, honest, and professional people from start to the end. The quality of the grass is just outstanding, and the customer service went far and beyond to ensure I got what I asked for, I cannot recommend you enough. Amazing work, thank you so much Neeru for your hospitality throughout. Very helpful !

google

Elly came round and done some measurements and explained everything with great detail. I'm a very visual person and elly took her time to help me understand what could be done and the potential my garden has. I had absolutely no knowledge in landscape,patios and artificial grass but now I feel so comfortable with garden being handed over to say grass :)

google

Very friendly and professional

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A M
5.0

This company is amazing. They go above and beyond your expectations. They are just too good.They laid my grass very very nicely and properly levelled the ground and everything else connected with the job was done to a very high standard. After completion they swept my garden and left everything very neatly. They are very polite and explain everything in detail. Owner and his team are genuine nice people.

google

I've only used the service for a free quote for a start and I very certainly will recommend it. I chanced on to the site while I was surfing the net for an artisan service. Now, I can gauge if I'm offered value for my money. More people need to know about this type of service. And also, the rep that came over to guage the job was very professional and represented well. Good job 👏 👍🏾 👌

google

Turned my nightmare mess of a garden into a dream garden! I can’t stop looking at it!

google

Had a maintenance clean for my artificial lawn. The guys were very thorough, patient and professional. They didn’t complain or rush the job even though the work took longer than anticipated as I hadn’t had a maintenance service for a long while. I will use SayGrass annually going forward.

google

At a little loss for words, spoke with a lovely person call Neeru. The initial conversation was positive, great phone etiquette. Was given an immediate price point as a reference. Upon searching around, they were the cheaper deal by at least 1k! I needed a quick turnaround too, Neeru was able to organise and get everything sorted within a week! Honestly shocked at the incredible speed of service, the people who came to complete the job were cordial, laid floor covers down to protect my floors and even swept up after they were done. Some things are expected, but this whole process has shown me that there are just some bits of class and customer service you can’t put a price on. Will be using them for every bit of Garden work from here on out!

google

Amazing service received from SayGrass will definitely recommend to friends and love one's. Try them u will never regret it 👍

google

Very professional service, completed driveway on time and to a good standard. Will definitely use their services again.

google

Saygrass provided me with garden fencing and clearance. I was told that it would take two days and they kept their word. I am pleased and happy with the outcome and would gladly use them again as well as recommend them to family and friends.

google

These guys were incredible! They did the whole job in a day, were very communicative and reliable. They have got to be the go-to company for artificial turf. With over 7 years in the industry they know what they are doing.

google

I would really recommend this service. Friendly staff .Very helpful. I will definitely use this company again :)

google

The team were attentive to detail, friendly, and efficient. The installation was completed by day 2 and the team was very proficient. I am very pleased with the end outcome, and the soft grass that was chosen looks excellent. I would like to thank Saygrass for transforming the garden and to give them the highest recommendation. Overall, it was a great experience with top service and installation.