Easy Install Tips
Easy Install Guide
The installation of synthetic grass is very simple and will add years of beauty as well as value to your home or business. We hope you enjoy the whole experience from purchasing the material to the finishing touches. Enjoy the years of maintenance free grass and beauty that will last virtually forever.
ATS Hot Tip: Some options that will enhance the appearance of your synthetic grass application are to add a nice frame around the turf: curbing, decorative rock, and mulch are several ideas that will work nicely.
Ground Preparation/Sub Grade
STEP 1: We recommend clearing any existing grass or vegetation you may have in the desired application area. (A few basic tools that can aide in the excavation are a sod cutter, hoe, or shovel.)
STEP 2: It is a good idea once the ground is completely cleared to apply a weed killer and a grass blocker spray to the area. You want to ensure that any vegetation will not grow under the turf area in the future.
STEP 3: Once all vegetation has been removed you are ready to apply the crushed stone aggregate. (We recommend a 2″-3″ layer of a ¼- crushed stone, you can purchase this at your local home improvement store, or building supply warehouse).
STEP 4: Once the crushed stone is applied, you will want to make sure the base is as level as possible. (A plate compactor or sod roller may be useful in this step of the turf application process. The goal in this step is to make the stone aggregate tightly compacted and as level as possible.)
NOTE: It is important to remember that the turf will be applied on top of this crushed stone base, thus any undulation on the surface will be visible once the turf has been applied. Also important to remember is that the crushed stone will aid in the drainage properties of the system, so a slight slope is recommended for proper drainage.
Cut and Fit…to Perfection
STEP 5: Once you have laid the stone base you will want to roll out the turf according to your area measurements. (It is important to lay the turf with all grass fibers or blades going in the same direction. This will ensure that all pieces of turf match up.) *This step may not apply if you do not have multiple pieces or sections of turf.
STEP 6: Make cuts in the turf using a standard carpet knife to fit the turf to desired area. (You are essentially cutting the turf to create the exact shape of your area. The fewer pieces of turf used the better; this will eliminate seaming pieces together.)
STEP 7: In the event you need to seam the turf together we recommend a 4″-6″ indoor/outdoor carpet seaming tape. The tape is used to attach the pieces of turf together, not to secure it to the aggregate. Center the seaming tape along the edges. To do this, lift one side of the turf and adhere the seaming tape to it, gently lay the taped portion of the turf back down, place the adjoining seam on the centered tape and apply pressure (by walking) over the area. Check to make sure there isn’t any overlapping or bunching of the tape or turf.
STEP 8: To attach the turf to the earth you will want to use 6″-8″ carpet staples. (These are essentially long nails.) Drive in the staples 1″ from the turf edge and every 6″ along the turf perimeter. It is a good idea to start at one side of the application area so you can pull the turf tight from the other side. This process is the most important, so your turf is attached securely and properly. Drive in the staples around the perimeter of the area and on both sides of any seams. This ensures that the seam will not come up and the material is properly fixed to the earth. Remember, the carpet staples hold the edges of the turf in place, while the infill will actually weight the material down.
Finishing Touches
STEP 9*: The final step is to add the infill material of your choice. (The main purpose of the infill is to give the turf its’ soft and life-like characteristics while weighting down the turf. We recommend a 100% Recycled Crumb Rubber or Play Sand infill. Whichever infill you choose, we recommend using approximately 1 lb of infill material per square foot of turf.)
STEP 9a*: You will want to evenly apply the infill material on top of the turf with a drop spreader or your hands.
STEP 9b*: Next, you will want to use a soft to medium bristled push broom to work the infill material into the turf. Keep working the infill material into the turf until the turf begins to stand upright. If you do not see the results you want, a flat-head rake is a good tool to use as well.
NOTE: It is important to make sure that you brush the infill material against the grain of the turf; this allows the infill to work its way to the base of the fibers correctly. This is the precision step; you must brush in the infill evenly so its appearance is consistent. A simple check to make sure it’s even is to walk over the turf, and your feet will tell you if it’s even or not. Work the infill in the turf until desired appearance is achieved.
*Steps 9, 9a and 9b can be omitted for applications using our no-infill products
Recommended Tools
The installation can be easily completed with a few everyday tools. Many of the following can be purchased or rented at a local home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowes.
• Sod Cutter
• Plate Compactor
• Seaming Tape
• Flat Head Rake
• Push Broom
• 6″-8″ Nails
• Carpet Knife