How to Install Artificial Turf Yourself: The Complete DIY Guide

Artificial Turf Installation Plan

The first step when purchasing artificial turf is to calculate the square meters you need and determine the seam locations for the installation area. You can do this by creating an installation plan.

Here are some important points to consider:

• When installing artificial turf on areas wider than four meters, ensure the turf strips are laid parallel and in the same direction. Turning the turf will cause an optical color variation, similar to what you see on a soccer field when watching on television.
• Allow for at least 15 cm of extra material in both width and length to account for waste during installation. 
• The blades of the artificial turf should be angled towards the primary viewing area, which is typically a patio or deck in a backyard. The direction of the grass blades is always along the length of the roll, never the width.
• Artificial turf is delivered in rolls that are either two or four meters wide.
• The turf weighs approximately 3 kg per square meter. Be sure to consider the length of the rolls (2-meter or 4-meter rolls) and the total weight of your order.
• Ensure you have enough help to receive and install the artificial turf. Typically, a single person is not enough for the installation, so it’s a good idea to have several helpers.

If you have more than one roll of artificial turf, you’ll need seaming tape or a self-adhesive seam tape to join the sections together. Your installation plan will help you easily calculate the amount of seaming material you need.

Remember to also account for the required amount of artificial turf adhesive if you’re using seaming tape. Our adhesives have an estimated coverage listed per meter.

Base Preparation for Artificial Turf

The basic requirements for preparing the base for artificial turf are similar to those for installing paving stones and patios.

• Excavate the area. Remove the existing lawn and other vegetation, and dig down about 10–20 cm before laying down the geotextile fabric.
• Install a weed barrier. Lay the geotextile fabric precisely over the entire area, ensuring no bare ground is visible.
• Add a gravel base. Spread a layer of crushed stone about 5–15 cm thick on top of the fabric. We recommend using finely crushed rock (KaM 0-11 mm).
• Compact the gravel. Thoroughly level and compact the crushed stone layer with a plate compactor. We recommend at least a 60 kg compactor. For best results, it’s a good idea to water the crushed stone before compacting. You can easily rent a compactor from a place like Ramirent.
• Remove large stones. After compacting, remove any large loose stones from the surface of the crushed stone layer.
• Ensure proper drainage. Account for any necessary slopes or drainage channels.
• Add the final layer. Finally, spread a fine layer of crushed stone dust (KaM 0-3mm) over the entire area, with a thickness of 2–5 cm. This ensures a smooth, even finish.

A proper base is the key to installing a beautiful, high-quality, and well-draining lawn. For the best result, the base must be completely flat. Never install artificial turf directly on top of soil or clay. Always use a stable, level, and frost-proof crushed stone base.

Artificial turf is also excellent for installation on hard surfaces like balconies and bitumen roofs. When installing on a hard surface, the sub-base must have proper drainage. The surface must be completely flat, and any necessary slopes must be adequate.

The Edging for Artificial Turf

For the best-looking result, you should install a proper edging for your artificial turf. In this method, the leveled gravel base is left about 2 cm below the level of the edging. When installed this way, the edge of the artificial turf is well protected, and the lawn has a neat, finished look.

You can create the artificial turf border with a variety of materials, such as:

• Natural stone
• Concrete pavers
• Treated wood
• Plants and landscaping

Choose the material that best suits your yard’s style for a beautifully integrated look.

1. Shock Pads for Artificial Turf (Optional)

You can choose to install a shock pad or safety pad under your artificial turf, especially if your yard has playground equipment like climbing frames or other areas where someone could fall. The stone dust layer beneath the shock pad should be leveled to ensure that the final turf surface is as even and consistent with the rest of the yard as possible.

We offer several different thicknesses of shock pads. The required thickness of the pad is determined by the potential fall height.

2. How to Roll Out and Cut Your Artificial Turf

Start by unrolling the artificial turf at the installation site. Give the turf an hour or two to settle in place before the final installation.

Overlap and align. Overlap the turf sections at the seams by about 10 cm. This is a good time to double-check that the grass blades on all adjacent rolls are pointing in the same direction.

Leave extra material. Leave about 10 cm of extra turf on the outer edges as well. Cut these outer edges only after all the seams have been joined. This makes seaming much easier since you won’t have to worry about running short on material, and it helps prevent gaps at the seams.

Cut the seams first. Only after all the seams are glued together should you go back and trim the excess turf from the outer edges.

Handle obstacles with care. You can cut artificial turf into almost any shape, but the complexity of the surface will determine how challenging the installation is. Objects and obstacles like flower beds, trees, or rocks will make the process more difficult. Make sure the turf is lying flat and not stretched too tightly before you glue the seams.

Cut from the bottom. Always cut the artificial turf from its underside. This prevents damage to the grass fibers. The fiber lines on the bottom of the turf also provide a great visual guide for making straight cuts.

3. Cutting the Seams of Artificial Turf

Using a sharp utility knife or a specialized artificial turf cutter, cut a strip off the edge of the turf mat. A good place to cut is between the first and second rows of fibers. Since the roll is 4 meters wide, you’ll have plenty of material.

Make sure the edges of the two turf mats are as close as possible to each other, but ensure they do not overlap. This step must be done very precisely to make the seam as unnoticeable as possible. Examine the seam from several different angles before you glue the turf mats to the seaming tape.

4. Gluing the Seams of Your Artificial Turf

Once your turf sections are perfectly aligned, it’s time to join them together.

Prepare the seam with glue and tape. First, fold back the edges of both turf sections. Unroll the seaming tape down the center of the seam line. Apply the required amount of artificial turf adhesive onto the tape, using a standard adhesive trowel.

Join the sections. Carefully fold the edges of the turf back over the seaming tape. Press the turf down firmly onto the tape, walking along the seam multiple times to ensure the glue and tape bond securely to the turf. Finally, place heavy objects along the seam to ensure a tight bond. Depending on the adhesive used, the glue will cure in a few hours up to one day.

Using self-adhesive seaming tape. Alternatively, you can use self-adhesive seaming tape for an easier installation. Fold back the edges of the turf, unroll the tape along the seam, and cut it to the same length as the turf sections. Remove the protective film from the tape. Attach the turf sections to the tape, ensuring they are evenly aligned without any gaps or overlaps. Press the seam down by walking on it. The seam will bond immediately, so don’t try to open it to check if it has stuck.

Important considerations:

Temperature matters: The adhesive strength of both the glue and the tape decreases below 10°C, so always install your artificial turf in dry and warm weather.

Keep it dry: The seaming tape, adhesive, and the back of the turf must be completely dry. Never do a seam connection in the rain.

Please note the following installation guidelines:

• Never apply more than 2–4 mm of adhesive.
• We recommend using our glue machine and glue box to ensure even glue distribution. Ask our sales team for more information about these tools!
• Use a joint roller after application.
• If humidity is high or the substrate is damp, ensure you apply extra pressure to the joint for a certain period. You can do this by placing, for example, sandbags on the joint.
• Please be aware that single-component adhesives have the chemical property of expanding when exposed to moisture.

If you have any upcoming projects and are unsure about the installation process or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us—we are happy to help.

5. Final Touches and Other Considerations

Artificial turf can also be installed on flat ground without additional fasteners. However, if you’re installing turf for a high-traffic area like a children’s play space, we highly recommend adding a thin layer of infill sand.

Adding Infill Sand

Infill sand should be added at a rate of 3–8 kg per square meter, depending on the chosen turf. The sand should be rounded and can be found at hardware stores. The best infill is light-colored quartz sand with the smallest possible grain size.

This infill sand helps extend the life of your turf by adding weight, which keeps it in place. The sand won’t be visible because it settles at the base of the grass blades, helping them stand upright. You can add the sand at any time after installation.

Securing the Edges

If you want to secure the turf, you can use artificial turf landscape spikes along the edges. These are best for the job and are especially useful on sloped surfaces like hills. For asphalt, you can use long 5–6 inch nails with small washers at the base. For other hard surfaces like concrete, fasteners are usually not needed.

You can also end the turf edge directly against the ground, for example, bordering a flower bed. However, this requires extra maintenance to ensure no soil or dirt gets onto the turf. We recommend using a stylish edging for a cleaner, more finished look.

The Final Brush

Finally, brush the grass blades upward. You can do this with a regular street broom, or for larger yards, you can rent a lightweight power brush from a tool rental company. Brushing the turf gives it a full, natural look and helps the infill settle in properly.

Use and Maintenance of Artificial Turf

To keep your artificial turf looking beautiful and natural, it’s a good idea to regularly remove organic debris like leaves, twigs, and seeds. If these natural materials are not removed, they will decompose and lead to the growth of moss and weeds.