There are five simple steps to artificial grass installation.
After consulting with a contractor, you’ve chosen the color and style of artificial grass for your lawn. Even the installation date is locked in. What remains now is preparing the grounds for the new turf. Here are some of the tasks that must take place before the new grass can be put in place.
Remove Sod
Before the artificial grass installation can happen, the old grass has to go away. It’s not enough to trim it down as close to the ground as possible. A professional will need to come in and literally dig into the ground and cut out sections of sod. The goal is to remove the grass and the root system. Keep in mind that those older sections of grass harvested from your yard can be recycled elsewhere, so nothing is going to waste.
Excavate
As the professional will tell you, removing the old grass is only the first step in the excavation. There is also the need to make sure what is left is level and firm. This can sometimes mean digging a little deeper until the firm layer of earth is reached. This is also a good chance to remove anything else that could complicate the installation later on. Once the work is done, what you will see is a flat and tightly packed expanse of earth.
Create the Framework
Did you know that your artificial grass installation involves a framework. There are two ways to manage the task. One is to dig a small outline around the perimeter of your lawn and fit in thin planks of treated wood. They are kept in position by driving what’s known as ground stakes into the planks. This approach will mean the edges of the lawn are the same height as the rest of the expanse.
If you want a slightly raised effect around the perimeter, you can secure the planks on the ground and forget about that shallow trench. You’ll still use the stakes to keep the planks in position.
Fill in With Aggregate
Once the framework is finished, the professional will fill in the space with some type of aggregate. The product may contain several different elements like one or more types of sand, granite dust made from pulverizing old granite fragments, and limestone. The exact type or grade of aggregate will depend a lot of the soil underneath and the size of your yard.
Install Artificial Grass
Now that you see the team has the aggregate smoothed and in place, it’s time for the turf. Most types come in rolls. By securing one end of the roll to the frame, it’s easier to create lines of turf. During the process, the turf is stretched, much like the way carpet is stretched as it’s put in position. The professional will seal the seams between the rolls, creating what appears to be a perfect field of natural grass.
While it may seem like a time consuming process, you’ll find that professionals can often finish with an average sized yard in a single day. What is a barren space in the morning will be a lush lawn by nightfall. Remember that the right preparation makes the actual installation go a lot faster, and ensures that your lawn will look great for many years to come.