How to lay artificial grass

Two ways to do it, depending on what is under your feet. Pick the one that matches your garden and work through the steps in order.

  1. Step 1

    Measure and order

    Measure the longest and widest points of the area. Order in as few rolls as possible, from one batch, so the colour matches across every join.

  2. Step 2

    Dig out 50 to 75mm

    Strip the turf and dig down 50 to 75mm across the whole area. On heavy clay, or anywhere that puddles, go to 75mm so there is room for a deeper sub-base.

  3. Step 3

    Set your edges

    Fix treated timber battens or plastic edging around the perimeter, level with the finished height. This is what you fix the grass to later, so get it straight and solid now.

  4. Step 4

    Lay weed membrane

    Roll weed control fabric over the soil, overlapping each run by 100mm. Pin it down. This stops anything growing up through the base.

  5. Step 5

    Sub-base and compact

    Spread 40 to 50mm of MOT Type 1 and compact it in two passes with a vibrating plate. It should feel solid underfoot with no give. This layer is what stops the lawn sinking.

  6. Step 6

    Sharp sand blinding

    Add 20 to 25mm of sharp sand, rake level and compact again. Check with a spirit level or a straight edge. Every dip you leave now will show through the grass.

  7. Step 7

    Roll out and settle

    Roll the grass out and leave it at least two hours in the sun to relax. Cold grass holds creases from the roll and will not sit flat if you fix it straight away.

  8. Step 8

    Trim to shape

    Cut from the BACK with a sharp blade, a little oversize, then trim to the edge in small passes. Change blades often. Cutting from the front catches the fibres.

  9. Step 9

    Join the seams

    Lay joining tape shiny side down under the seam, apply adhesive, and press both edges into it with the pile running the same way. Keep a 2 to 3mm gap so the join does not peak.

  10. Step 10

    Fix the perimeter

    Fix the edges into the timber or plastic edging with galvanised U-pegs every 200 to 300mm, or adhesive onto a hard edge. Keep pegs just below the pile so they disappear.

  11. Step 11

    Brush and infill

    Brush the pile up against the direction it lays with a stiff broom. Kiln-dried sand infill is optional but helps the pile stand and adds weight in exposed gardens.

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