When Is The Best Time To Install Artificial Turf | ATE (2024)

FAQs

When Is The Best Time To Install Artificial Turf | ATE? ›

Generally speaking, an ideal time to have artificial turf installed would be during the fall season. Having artificial turf installed in preparation for the spring and summer months is a great idea. And statistically, the cooler months (December through February) are less busy for contractors.

Generally speaking, it is adaptable to almost any season. However, the fall season is perhaps the ideal time to install artificial turf for your outdoor space. This is because fall imagery usually consists of leave falling, rustic colors, and brown trees and grass.

Geotextile paper is the most commonly used underlayment for artificial turf, which is also called a geotextile mat. When installing artificial turf, it is very important to install the geotextile paper under the turf.

Can you lay artificial grass on soil? You can install artificial grass on soil but it does require some preparation to do so. You will need to clear the area of weeds and grass and remove around 3 – 4 inches of soil and add a sub base – a geotextile membrane and sharp sand to provide a level area.

It is not recommended that you walk on your artificial turf straight after installation. Give it 24 hours or more after it is first laid so that the grass has time to settle properly. Walking on the grass before this can cause the seams to come loose or cause tears and other abrasions to your newly installed grass.

ARTIFICIAL GRASS DOES NOT FREEZE IN WINTER

In most parts of California, we experience snowfall, and winters are cold and damp, but rarely do the temperatures go below zero. So, it is highly unlikely that your turf can freeze. Synthetic grass does not contain water content, and hence, does not freeze and become brittle.

You must remove natural grass and all other organic matter, and lay a base before installing artificial turf on soil. Laying artificial grass on top of soil is a great option, but laying artificial turf on top of natural grass creates an uneven and unattractive surface that is more likely to become damaged.

Sharp sand is applied onto the area you choose to lay your artificial grass before it's installed. When laying artificial grass, we recommend laying sharp sand to the thickness of 10/15mm, however, there are several steps to carry out before you lay and compact the sand!

An artificial turf sub-base is a layer of mixed materials, or aggregates, installed below your artificial grass. It creates a smooth, compacted surface and, therefore, a solid foundation to support your lawn. There are two main types of sub-base: crushed miscellaneous base (CMB) and decomposed granite (DG).

How deep do you dig for artificial grass? ›

If you are planning to remove and replace a large area of turf, then hiring a turf cutter will considerably reduce the workload and speed up preparation. Remove the turf and dig to a depth of 100mm. If your soil is already well compacted and free draining you can dig to a depth of 70mm instead.

The grass itself should be fully permeable so that rainwater can run straight through it to the sub-base, however, it's the sub-base installation that potentially poses problems. Good quality artificial grass, when installed correctly, should drain rainwater through a drainage base below the levelling layer (sand).

Types of Artificial Grass Sub-Base

There are a few sub-base options, the most common being crushed granite stone. This is sometimes referred to as Grano dust or 4-6mm dust. You can also use limestone instead of granite and for dog lawns you can use a small diameter aggregate without fines for maximum drainage.

Colour Fading: Constant exposure to UV radiation can cause the colour of the synthetic grass to fade over time. This can result in your once vibrant green lawn looking dull or bleached. Material Degradation: UV radiation can also break down synthetic materials over time, causing them to become brittle.

Although estimates of longevity vary due to many factors, you can expect an artificial turf lawn to last at least 8-10 years. With high-quality turf and a little regular upkeep (raking and rinsing), you can easily expect your ever-green yard to withstand 15 to 20 years.