Synthetic Lawn Installation Step 1….
Area layout, grass ordering and stripping the existing material
Using a rope or garden hose as your proposed border, layout the area in which you want to install your synthetic lawn. Try several different locations at different times of the day to be sure you choose the one that best suits your needs. Choose any design you like, but remember that synthetic turf arrives rectangular in shape and in approx 3.7m widths. This may also be the time to change the contour of your yard. Be sure to allow for drainage, run-off, wet or shady areas, etc... when laying out your yard. Only a small amount of water will drain through the grass as most of it will drain “off” like it would from pavers or a concrete slab.
Ensure you order the correct amount of grass, backing tape and glue. Map out the area to scale on graph paper. (Remember the synthetic grass rolls are approx 3.7m wide). Map out the grass pieces you will need over your sketch to scale and make sure the grass is all laying in the same direction. For example if you have a piece left over that will fit into an area, the fibres of the grass on the roll will have a "direction" to them, and all the pieces must lay in the same direction as the rest of the grass. You are essentially working out how many lineal metres of grass you will need to cover your area.
Remove all the vegetation and other debris down to the bare earth. Rotting grass today may cause unwanted dips tomorrow. Sprinklers may be capped or removed at this time.
Synthetic Lawn Installation Step 2….
Installing a crusher dust base, compacting and optional edging
It is recommended that you install the synthetic turf on a compacted crusher dust base or on an existing concrete slab. Depending on your existing sub base, a minimum of 50mm of crusher dust (after compaction) is recommended. In sandy or clay conditions, you may wish to use a thicker base.
If you are in doubt, please consult your local landscape yard or landscape architect for base materials recommended for your area. Care should be taken to choose a material that is free of large stones and should be graded and compacted to as smooth a finish as possible. The product should be composed primarily of crushed stone, with enough fine sand to assure compaction and stability. Be sure to compact the base several times and dampen the crusher dust prior to packing.
Plate compactors and additional tools can usually be hired by the day. Remember - your goal is to make the base as hard as possible. You should compact the base at least twice and don’t forget to make sure you have enough fall on the base to allow water to drain.You may wish to install optional edging. Consider brick, decorative or natural stone, timber, flexible plastic or metal edging. The top of the edging should be at the proposed finished elevation of the base to prevent trapping water.
Synthetic Lawn Installation Step 3….
Lay out your Enduroturf synthetic lawn
Once the base work is completed, roll out the turf AWAY from the site and cut to length as needed 1 piece at a time. Make sure that where multiple pieces of turf are being used, they are laid with the pile pointing in the same direction. Cut turf to fit where necessary. This can be done with a sharp utility knife and a new blade. Cut the turf to fit around trees, flowerbeds and landscape islands, etc... If you change your mind at this point or make a mistake, don't worry. Simply use the seaming method described below to put turf together where you want it. In areas larger than 3.7m in width, where two pieces of synthetic turf must be seamed together, you will need to ensure you have ordered seaming tape and outdoor quality seaming glue. It should be noted that turf joined together using the correct method should look seamless.
Once you have finished laying out your turf, step back and survey the landscape. Be sure your turf is in the right placement. If you find that your layout isn't right, change it now before commencing with the joining method described below.
Synthetic Lawn Installation Step 3a….
Synthetic lawn seaming method
If a join is required butt both synthetic grass surfaces together ensuring the pile is running in the same direction, then fold back each side approx 30-40cm along the length of the join. Unroll the join tape along the join line on the ground, ensuring equal tape on each section. Apply the adhesive along the joining tape approx 20cm width. Fold over one side of the artificial grass on to the join tape. Then start to fold over the second side, ensuring no tufts of grass are crushed under the join and keeping the join tight together. Once complete, it is a good idea to weigh down the join with bags of sand to ensure it sticks. Glues should take in approx 30 minutes.
Synthetic Lawn Installation Step 4….
Install the fill material
Now it's time to install the fill material. Different grass types require different infill levels, some lawn styles do not require rubber so check first.
Your first job is to gently spread sand across the entire area. Typically this sand is “thrown/sprinkled or lightly spread” across the area as evenly as you can. You are aiming to infill approx 1/3 of the pile height with sand. After spreading with a shovel, you will need to broom against the grain to allow sand to fall between the blades of grass. Make sure you keep the grass fibres upright during this process.
Take your time - Make sure you do not simply “dump” sand in any one spot as you will crush the grass fibres down and then getting the sand in and the turf back up is very challenging.
This process will take 2 or 3 attempts to get levels right. DO NOT try to spread the sand all in one go.
Once you have spread the sand to approx 1/3 of the height, it is now time to spread the rubber in the same method.
Distribute rubber over a wide area and broom it in using the same method as above. Again, be sure to put down a little bit at a time as dumping out large quantities will flatten the turf. Continue to distribute rubber and fluff the lawn until the desired amount of fill is installed (around another 1/3 of the height). The fill you install today is going to compact somewhat with rain and use over time.
And that is it. You should now be the proud owner of the nicest lawn on the block.
What you will need to complete the job:
- @6kg dry sand per sq. metre
- Stanley knife with a NEW blade
- Shovel
- Rake
- Stiff-bristled “street” broom
- Spirit level
- Screed
- Wheelbarrow
Additional items you may need to complete the job:
- Enduroturf outdoor adhesive glue
- @6kg rubber granules per sq. metre
- Seaming tape
- Plate compactor
- Turf cutter
- Dingo/mini dingo
- Skip bin
Disclaimer
When it comes to installing your Enduroturf synthetic lawn, it is always best to utilise a professional or an organisation that specialises in applying synthetic turf that will satisfy your needs and supply the highest quality finished product. The installation information supplied below is for those individuals with construction experience who wish to undertake this kind of project on their own and has been supplied for reference only.
No representations or warranties are made regarding the installation information, nor are any results guaranteed by utilising the installation information. This information is not intended to include all information that may be needed to install synthetic lawn .
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