Installation Considerations when you Buy Artificial Grass
The goal of every installation after buying artificial grass is to achieve a long-lasting, functional, and natural looking landscape. Always consider what will be necessary to prepare the area before an artificial lawn installation can begin.
Preparation can include removing sod, soil, problem concrete, asphalt or other existing materials. Final grade should always be taken into consideration as well as use and accessibility to the site prior to starting your artificial grass installation.
Most artificial grass backings contain drain holes to allow water to percolate through into the ground. Gravity helps with drainage, and eliminates the need for unsightly drain heads on the surface of the turf. Some artificial grass does not included drain holes, and thus, percolates horizontally (examples would include some types of putting green products). During residential construction, homes are developed to have roof-line and ground water run-off to a daylight rain head where watershed will join with other run-off volume. If using this type of turf, the installation must allow for watershed above the artificial grass materials. Also, the subgrade needs to slope appropriately and contour toward the drain heads. Be sure to check with the local cities for codes and restrictions.
The use of crushed or rounded rock layers helps to deter underground pests, including worms, ants, burrowing insects rodents and evasive root systems from propagating and creating sub-surface structure concerns in the future.
Many residential grade weed barrier fabrics do not have the vertical and/or horizontal strength to stand up to the demands of permanent construction projects, UV, high traffic and extreme weather conditions. Be sure to use a high quality fabric in your installations. 4-6 oz is a minimum recommendation.
When buying your artificial grass for installation on top of concrete or asphalt it is recommended that you install a turf padding to help create a more natural feel and cushion as well as to lesson potential joint impact injuries. In this case proper infill is very important. You can considers a variety of subgrade paddings.
When you plan to buy your artificial grass for installation where sod or soil currently exists it is recommended that you first excavate down to 3 inches below finished grade. Add a durable and porous synthetic fabric for weed prevention then add your base layer (decomposed granite, class II roadbase, or equivalent) – decomposed granite, or DG is preferred for installations requiring a very smooth surface such as a putting green – class II roadbase is preferred for areas requiring superior compaction. Compact your subbase in no more than 3″ or 4″ lifts – to achieve a firm subgrade. A good rule of thumb is 1 ton of subbase for every 66 Sq Ft of 3″ of base/DG. Finally, add the artificial grass and the appropriate artificial grass infill.
If the final grade of your artificial grass installation needs to be level with existing elements such as walkways, driveways or patios – be sure to allow adequate excavation and estimation of base materials to raise the base to .5″ to 1″ below the final grade of the hardscape element.
If you are buying artificial grass for installation on a crowned lawn – be sure to bring in additional subbase materials and shape the base appropriately during compaction. The hard-edge should still be set after compaction to .5″ to 1″ below your desired finished grade. To provide for additional water run-off where necessary, consider inserting a small channel of drainage rock (a French drain) prior to the addition of base material. When combined with the proper soil stabilizing fabrics, a French drain will allow run-off to fall below the surface and channel without the risk of erosion.
When buying artificial grass for installation between concrete edgings or in-between flagstones and concrete slabs allow for additional excavation to support water run-off. Several layers of mixed base material may be needed and consider additional drain pipes, catch basins, connectors and drain rock.
Last modified October 15, 2009Author 2654 > has blogged 36 times
