With summer almost upon us, it’s the perfect time to install your artificial grass. In this day and age, keen consumers opt in to install their own artificial grass. This means they have to focus a little bit more on securing it.
This article will give you the best tips, tricks and techniques in order to secure your artificial grass so you can secure your (expensive!) investment.
How to Secure Artificial Grass – Use Quality Infill
Most homeowners choose to infill artificial turf products because this is one of the reasons that make the lawn more like natural grass when you walk.
By keeping the blades upright, you can also help your artificial lawn look more like natural lawns. Depending on the filler you use for your project, it can also keep the lawn cool.
If you choose a non-filled artificial grass product, the filler will not be able to fix the artificial grass in place, so you will not get the extra weight.
This means that it is particularly important to properly secure the lawn with seam tape, glue and lawn nails to ensure proper installation and obtain a satisfactory end result.
How to Secure Artificial Grass on Concrete
A flat concrete base can be used well with artificial grass and can extend the life of the surface, but there will be some problems in level and drainage.
- Start from the corner to pave the substrate. When you are done, you should always start from the corner where you most want to leave.
- Before sticking and cutting, place the foam in place. Fixing the lining in place just to find the error is a classic mistake. Before cutting and pasting, lay out everything, otherwise it may cause a waste of time/money.
- Cut to the correct size/shape. Using scissors or a Stanley knife, cut the foam into a foam that is flush with the edge and inside of the area. If you find it wants to move, you can use tape to fix the parts together.
- Make sure the glue is in place. Use waterproof glue to stick the foam to the ground. We have found that the use of a tubular adhesive with a good zigzag coating can hold it in place. This method also provides enough space for water to pass through the liner.
Some people may want to install artificial grass to cover expired concrete. That is inadvisable, as the concrete will crack at some point, the structure will loosen and become uneven. This type of surface is not suitable for use as a foundation. It may move and become more uneven and show up in the artificial grass cover.
Surfaces with small blemishes are fine, and artificial turf mats can smooth them. Some more damaged surfaces may need repair. For medium-sized holes and cracks, you can use external fillers to smooth them. For deeper holes, you can plug them with ready-mixed concrete
How to Secure Joints Properly While Installing Artificial Turf
Unless you have a long garden with no variations in shape, you will have to connect two or more artificial grasses together. For this, you need telescopic knives, connecting straps and artificial turf adhesive.
- First place the pieces together to create a “dry” connection
- Fold back the pieces, fix them with heavy objects if necessary, and then paste the connecting tape between the pieces so that the shiny side faces down.
- Using a caulking gun, apply bonding material to artificial turf adhesive on the connecting tape, and then use a spreader to form a level covering.
- Fold the pieces of turf down back to the glue-covered connection tape, and then press hard to ensure that the grass fibers will not stick to the adhesive.
- Tuck the grass fibers together to cover the connected area, and then dry them for at least two hours.
How Do You Stop Artificial Grass from Moving?
After measuring, cutting, spreading and trimming the turf so that it fits the lawn area perfectly, it is necessary to sew the different grass blocks.
The installer will decide on the seaming process that best suits your project, which may include attaching parts with seaming tape and adhesive, creating seams by sewing parts together or using tacks and nails to ensure that the seams are strong and firmly connected to the ground.
After fixing the joints, the installer will start the process of fixing the boundaries of the artificial turf, usually using nails (also known as lawn nails) to firmly fix the lawn in place.
It should be noted that artificial grass installed on concrete, asphalt or other hard landscapes is usually fixed in place with glue.
Importance of Turf Infill in Securing Artificial Grass
- The filler is used to hold down the turf and help ensure that the lawn does not wrinkle or sag.
- The filler plays an important role in helping your blade stand upright and bounce back when walking to avoid the flattening effect.
- The artificial grass filling makes the artificial turf have a soft feeling – just like walking on real grass.
- The shock absorption provided by the filler makes it safer for you, your family and pets.
- Adding filling materials in the installation of artificial turf helps protect the lining material from activities and the environment, thereby extending the service life of the lawn.
What Can I Use to Secure Artificial Grass?
You can secure artificial grass using a caulking gun, apply the bonding material on the artificial turf adhesive to the connecting belt, and then use a spreader to form a horizontal covering.
Fold back two pieces of artificial grass, place them on the connecting tape covered with glue, and press hard to ensure that the grass fibers will not stick to the adhesive.
Tools to Fix and Secure Artificial Grass
Now that you have found the ideal artificial grass for your outdoor space, you can actually install it. This is what is needed to complete the job at hand:
- Sufficient amount of artificial grass
- Telescopic knife and spare blade
- Tape measure/Spirit level
- Knee pads and gloves
- Galvanized U-shaped pin
- Rubber hammer
- Artificial grass joint adhesive and tape
- Hard broom or power brush
- Carpet skirting board or stretcher (optional)