Laying Astro Turf? Here’s What You Need

When it comes to laying Astro turf, you need two main things: a good quality roll of Astro turf and a lot of patience. The key to success is ensuring that your new lawn looks the part and lasts the distance. With this in mind, we have put together a simple guide on how to lay Astro turf yourself. We hope you find it helpful!

The basic tools required for laying Astro turf include:

• Turf cutter – The turf cutter will make an extended, deep cut into the turf so it can be easily lifted from the ground.

• Wheelbarrow – This is used mainly to transport soil and stone particles that you’ll need to lay your Astro turf. 

• Flat shovel – This is needed for lifting large amounts of dirt out of your garden bed and moving it away from where you want to lay Astro turf down onto the level ground.

• Rake – A rake is an essential tool when laying Astro turf. It helps separate clumps apart while also ensuring they’re level with each other before being laid down onto newly prepared ground surface area(s).

• Hose – A hose is needed for water irrigation purposes before setting down turf and as an essential tool after installation to keep it looking fresh and new throughout the life expectancy.

• Compactor – A compactor is another specialized tool for artificial grass that you’ll probably need to rent from the hardware store. With this, you can compact the surface material and make the ideal foundation for your new turf. 

• Razor knife – You will likely need to cut some of your grass to size and shape unless you want an entirely square lawn. Make sure you have a sharp knife with a sturdy handle and extra blades.

• Joining tape & Adhesive– You’ll need to attach two or more artificial grass pieces to most lawns. To complete this task correctly, you’ll need professional-grade lawn adhesive and joining tape.

Step by Step Guide to Laying Astro Turf

Step 1 – Prepare the base

The preparation of the area is critical to the installation’s success. Before installation, the area should ideally be free of any organic matter. Remove all organic matter to a depth of 80mm before filling with 70mm blue metal dust (known as cracker dust, available from your local landscape supplier). 

Remove all organic matter to a depth of 80mm before filling with 70mm blue metal dust (known as cracker dust, available from your local landscape supplier).  We recommend digging out at least 110mm and filling it with at least 100mm of blue metal dust for car parking areas (cracker dust). 

We recommend compacting the area before backfilling with cracker dust.

Step 2 – Install the base foundation.

Fill the area with blue metal dust, then apply water and compact it. The base should be compacted at least twice.

Before laying the artificial/synthetic turf, make sure the site is perfectly level. 

Before laying the artificial turf, leave the base level 15-20mm lower than any paving/concrete edges.

Step 3 -Install the turf.

Before installing the turf, it would be ideal if you could unroll it and leave it on-site overnight. Preferably, make the joint and trim the edges during the coolest part of the day.

When laying out the entire pieces of artificial turf, it is critical to ensure that the grain runs in the same direction. Place pins every 100mm (minimum) along the joints and every 500mm (minimum) along the edges. Avoid trapping the turf blades under the pins.

Step 4 – Infill sand on turf

Spread kiln-dried silica sand on top of the synthetic turf (this ensures the sand is free of organic matter) and brush against the pile with a hard brush or broom. 

To clean up the area, splatter water on it. A minimum of 10kg of silica sand per square meter is required. You might want to use a blower to blow away any accumulated silica sand.

Which base is ideal for laying Astro turf?

A crushed miscellaneous base, or CMD, is a sand and gravel mixture commonly used in residential landscaping projects. It is less expensive than other aggregate base options for artificial grass.

With pieces no larger than 3/4 inch in size mixed in with the finer particles, these options provide a high level of stability in your finished project.

Decomposed granite, or DG, comprises granite fragments mixed with gravel and sand. It is more expensive than CMD, but it is the more popular choice when installing the artificial turf. 

What other options do you have?

• You can use concrete, gravel, or asphalt as your base material. 
• Concrete is the cheapest option, and it’s also the easiest to lay. 
• Gravel is another popular choice because it’s easy to work with and requires no special tools besides a shovel or rake. 
• Asphalt requires additional equipment such as a tamper, but it’s also one of the most affordable choices today. 
• Finally, sand is an option if you want something cheap and easy-to-use.

What do you place under Astro turf?

You may believe you’ve chosen your turf and turf base, but there are other artificial turf materials to consider depending on your project.

If you’re concerned about weeds sprouting from your artificial turf – say, if you’re already fighting weeds in the area and are aware of existing roots – you might want to consider a weed barrier. While not required, a weed barrier allows for proper drainage while preventing weeds from poking through the new turf.

For many turf installations, infill is also a good idea, especially if you want a more natural grass feel. In addition, pet owners who plan to use their artificial turf as a pet relief area may appreciate the benefits of a deodorizer infill.

How long does it take to lay Astro turf?

It can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks to lay Astroturf. It depends on a lot of factors, including your yard’s conditions and the size of your yard. If you’re doing it yourself, you’ll probably spend about three days.

However, if you need some help knowing the best artificial grass for your next project, check out our blog post – What Is the Best Type of Artificial Grass in Perth?

Conclusion

I hope this DIY guide to laying Astro turf has been helpful for you and that you can make your home look beautiful with it. 

If you want to know more about artificial turf or want to get any product information from New Wave Flooring, feel free to contact us anytime. We would love to answer any questions or queries that you may have and offer advice on just about anything!