Fed up of battling with the lawnmower? Want a low-maintenance alternative that always looks pristine? Well, artificial grass could be the solution.

Not only does artificial grass look immaculate all year round, no matter the weather, but it also stands the test of time, lasting for decades with minimal maintenance.

So, to help you enjoy the benefits of artificial grass in your outdoor space, we’ve pulled together this step-by-step guide on how to put fake grass down properly:

1. Gather the right materials and tools
2. Excavate the installation area
3. Compact the installation area
4. Fill in the subbase
5. Add a layer of sharp sand
6. Roll out the foam pads
7. Lay the artificial grass
8. Add the adhesive
9. Fix the artificial grass in place
10. Clean up your work area

Read on for a more in-depth process on how to lay artificial grass.

1. Gather the right materials and tools

Before you lay artificial grass or even start to think about the artificial grass base layer, you need to check your tool box and ensure you have all the right materials for the project.

Don’t worry if you aren’t quite sure, we’ve provided a full breakdown of what you’ll need to install artificial grass, below:

Tools

• Tape measure
• Wooden pegs
• Shovel
• Garden rake
• Garden roller
• Spirit-level
• Utility knife
• Hammer
• Stiff-bristled brush

Materials

• MOT Type 1 subbase
• Sharp sand
• Foam pads
• Artificial grass
• Jointing tape
• Glue/adhesive
• Ground pins

2. Excavate the installation area

Start by measuring the area where you want to lay the artificial grass, clearly marking it out with wooden pegs. Then, armed with your shovel, remove any existing grass, soil, or debris within the marked out area, digging to a depth of around 100mm.

3. Compact the installation area

Once you’re happy with the excavation site, rake the surface level and compact the whole area with the garden roller. Finish up this step by ensuring the surface is even with a spirit-level.

4. Fill in the subbase

To promote proper drainage, fill the excavation site with around 70-75mm of MOT Type 1 subbase. This is best done in two layers (35-38mm for each layer), which makes it easier to compact down with the garden roller to ensure it’s level. Again, whip out the spirit-level to be certain of your good work before moving on.

5. Add a layer of sharp sand

Add a layer of sharp sand to the artificial grass base layer, filling another 20mm of depth. Smooth the sand with your shovel, before giving it a once over with the garden roller/spirit-level combo.

6. Roll out the foam pads

A vital step of installing artificial grass, place the foam pads over the recently-filled excavation area to prevent weeds from sprouting up. The best method is to overlap the foam pads over each other, covering both the sharp sand layer and the edges of your excavation. To neaten it up, take the utility knife and cut the foam pads down to size, using the tape measure to be exact.

7. Lay the artificial grass

Now it’s finally time to lay the artificial grass in place. Similar to foam pads, you’ll want to unroll the turf over the entire base layer, covering the edges of the marked area, too. You can then cut away the rough edges of the artificial grass to ensure everything is neat and tidy.

8. Add the adhesive

To keep the artificial grass secure, peel back the shone edges of the turf and apply jointing tape to its underside. Add adhesive to the tape, and then push the edges back down onto the subbase.

9. Fix the artificial grass in place

For extra security, fix ground pins around the edge of the turf, hammering them into place. Then, brush the grass blades to make them stand upright and look more natural, hiding the ground pins from view.

10. Clean up your work area

The final step of installing artificial grass is a simple one: clean up! Brush away any errant sand, tidy away tools, and store leftover materials in the shed. Job done.  

Now you know how to lay artificial grass, it’s time to start looking into how much artificial grass costs. With Simply Paving, you can always be sure you’re buying artificial grass at the best price possible. Just head over to our artificial grass collection to see for yourself.