Artificial Grass Turf Warehouse

Things To Avoid For A DIY Artificial Turf Installation

Installing your own artificial turf isn’t that hard however it’s important you don’t miss any steps or it can turn into a major fail and cost you a pretty penny. There are plenty of tips and tricks or even full instructions on YouTube on DIY Artificial Turf Installation. Not all of those videos will tell you what not to do. We’ve collected some important yet common mistakes that you should  avoid so you can have a successful install the first time around.

Check Your Measurements

This is so vital to a successful DIY artificial turf installation… check your measurements. We cannot tell you enough how important it is to double-check your measurements! Be sure to measure your area from different directions more than once. You want to make sure you have the right amount of synthetic grass to cover your installation area. You don’t want to end up with a ton of extra turf because that would just be costly and wasteful. But you also don’t want to end up too short either!

Get The Right Base Material

It is recommended to use ¼” to ¾” crushed drain rock as your base material. The amount of drainage is determined by the coarseness of the rock. Choose something that is a coarser material especially if you have drainage issues where you’re doing your installation. On another note, stay away from pea gravel because it will be difficult to work with as you compact them.

Make An Even Base

Artificial turf turns out the best when it’s laid over a smooth surface. Bumps and creases are really obvious and can be a safety hazard by causing people to trip. If the area where you’re doing your DIY turf installation has existing landscaping, be sure to fully remove it. Roots or rocks left behind can contribute to unevenness.

Don’t Flatten Your Base Too Much

Yes, we know that we just got over telling you to make an even base. However, you also need to shape it with a 1% incline towards the center. This is how a natural lawn looks, and it helps water to drain away from the middle. This way you don’t risk water collecting in any areas.

Go With The Grain

The blades of artificial turf have a certain direction they all go in which is called the ‘grain’. You’ll want to pay close attention to this because the turf should all be going in the same direction. This is a key factor when attempting a DIY artificial turf installation. This will help any seams from being visible. As a professional artificial grass technician we always choose to have the grain face the viewer.

Purchase The Turf In One Batch

Different batches of artificial turf can have slight differences especially in the color. Even if it’s the same exact style of grass it can be a little off and when installed next to each other it may be noticeable. To be safe, purchase your artificial turf all at once.

Install A Weed Blocker

If you skip this step you’ll eventually end up with dealing weeds like you did with your natural lawn. One of the major perks of installing artificial grass is the low maintenance. So the last thing you want to do is pull weeds when you don’t have to. Be sure to apply a week blocker layer underneath your artificial turf to prevent weeds and other plants from growing through your lawn.

Don’t Throw Away Your Scraps After Installation

The little scraps can be lifesavers down the road when you need to repair small areas that experienced damage. Also you can use them as a guide if you need to buy more artificial turf for other areas. This way you’re in the ballpark of what you currently have.

Utilizing these tips will help you have a successful DIY artificial turf installation. If you’re unsure about anything feel free to contact Artificial Grass Turf Warehouse at (844) 768-8873. We’re happy to walk you through the process.

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