Synthetic Turf: The Process of Installation

A number of steps and precautions need to be followed before synthetic turf installation. The area of choice must be marked off with rope or garden hose, keeping in mind aspects of drainage and light and shade. It is also important to remember that the artificial grass comes in rectangular pieces 3.7 m in width, and must be laid out accordingly.

The area of choice must be mapped out on graph paper, and the synthetic turf charted out on top. The correct amount of synthetic turf, backing tape and glue should be ordered. Another precaution is to make sure that all the rolls of turf are laid in the same direction; the grass must be pointing just one way. Plants and other growth must be uprooted from the area of choice so that it doesn't cause damage later. Sprinklers must also be removed.

The artificial turf needs to be laid out on a base; a compact crusher dust base or a concrete slab. 50 mm of crusher dust must be laid out, increasing or decreasing depending on the material that it is being laid on. For example, if the astro turf is being laid out on sandy ground, a thick base of crusher dust is required. It is important that the base material be refined and contains no chunks or obstructions. It is best if the base material be made of finely crushed stone intermixed with sand to make it flexible and long lasting.

Before laying out the astro turf, the base should be made as condensed as possible and dampened. This can be done using plate compactors or other tools to ensure that the base is laid firmly but with enough flexibility to let water seep through. The area of choice can also be edged by brick or metal or stone.

It is important to roll it away from the site, and each piece cut with a knife or blade to fit the area. The turf can be laid around trees or flower beds. Disjointed pieces of synthetic turf can be joined together with seaming tape and outdoor seaming glue. The final appearance of the turf should be one stretch of fake grass.

To connect two rolls of synthetic turf, both pieces need to be laid side by side. Each edge is peeled back to about 30- 40 cm along the line of the joint. The joining tape is then put on the line where the two rolls will meet on the ground and adhesive applied. First one edge of the artificial turf is pasted down, then the next one. To make sure the joint sticks in place, weights can be placed along the join line. The adhesive generally takes about half an hour to dry.

Before the infill is laid down on the astro turf, it must be determined how the turf will be used. Sand infill needs to be lightly and evenly scattered all over the astro turf till about 1/3 of the turf’s height. Once spread, the turf needs to be swept against the direction of the grass to make sure the sand is spread evenly between the blades. The grass blades must be kept straight during this. Too much infill cannot be laid in one spot either, as it will weigh down the turf. Rubber infill is laid in the same method. Infill will generally compress over time due to rain and use.