How Artificial Grass Is Installed

Installation starts by removing whatever is currently on the site — existing grass, roots, topsoil and any loose debris. The area is excavated to a depth that leaves room for the base layers plus the finished turf, typically in the region of 75–100mm, though this varies with drainage requirements and the existing ground level relative to adjoining surfaces like paving or a threshold.

A layer of crushed stone is spread and compacted, often in more than one lift, to build a stable, load-bearing, free-draining foundation. This is the single most important stage in the entire process — it determines whether the finished lawn drains properly, stays flat, and holds its shape under foot traffic. Our companion guide, What Goes Under Artificial Grass?, covers this stage in more depth.

A permeable, weed-suppressant membrane is laid over the compacted base. It lets water continue to pass through to the base below while significantly reducing weed growth pushing up through the turf from underneath.

Turf is rolled out, oriented so the pile direction is consistent across the area (an easy detail to miss, and one that affects how uniform the finished colour looks), and trimmed to fit the space. Where more than one roll is needed, joins are made using seaming tape and adhesive, or stitched, so the join isn't visible once finished.

The perimeter of the turf is fixed — usually pinned into the base, and/or fixed to a hard edge such as paving, a timber edge or a steel edging strip. This stops the turf lifting, curling or shifting at the edges over time, which is one of the most visible signs of a poor installation.

Infill — commonly kiln-dried silica sand, sometimes blended with other materials depending on the product and application — is spread evenly across the surface and worked down into the pile with a stiff power brush. This stands the fibres upright, adds ballast that helps the turf keep its shape, and gives the surface its finished, dense appearance. The same brushing motion is also how a synthetic lawn is periodically refreshed over its life.

Pile height, yarn type, backing construction and infill type all affect how a synthetic lawn performs and feels — a play area, a pet run and a decorative courtyard lawn are usually specified differently. This guide describes the general installation process; specific product choices are confirmed at quote stage based on how the space will be used.