Artificial grass is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those looking to spruce up their yards or add green spaces to rooftop patios and balconies. While there are many simple options when it comes to installing artificial grass, there are lots of ways to integrate it with other landscaping features to really make your space stand out. Some people choose to have artificial grass in only a small portion of their yard, such as surrounding a swimming pool or for a backyard putting green. One popular way to install artificial grass is between landscape paving stones. This is not only low maintenance, but it also looks great.
If you’re thinking about installing artificial grass between pavers in your yard, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to help your installation go smoothly.
How To Install Artificial Grass Between Pavers: Preparing for Installation
Before you begin installing your artificial grass, you first want to make sure that the area where you’re placing it is prepared properly. This includes clearing away debris with a garden rake and removing any sticks, rocks, or loose stones that could affect how the artificial grass will lay. Creating a solid base for your turf will ensure that you don’t run into any issues with the ground being uneven.
Install a Sub-Base
After ensuring that your base is clean and free of any debris, the next step in the installation process is to install a sub-base. This is a crucial step that shouldn’t be skipped, as this will allow your turf to drain properly. It can be tricky when you are installing between pavers, as it can be difficult to compact your sub-base, but using a hand tamp or brick is a great way to pack your base down and allow for proper drainage.
In general, you will want to lay your sub-base between your pavers at a depth of approximately 2-4 inches, making sure that there is enough to allow the artificial turf to lay flush against the pavers.
Lay Your Turf and Cut Around Pavers
Once you’ve got a solid, level sub-base, you are then going to want to lay your artificial grass. Start by rolling it out over the area where you plan to install it and let it rest for a few hours in the sun. This step will help the grass settle and should allow you to see the outline of your pavers from underneath the turf. If you can’t see an outline, you can walk between them to help make them more obvious. When rolling out your artificial grass, make sure to allow for a bit of overlap at the seams, which can be cut down later.
When it comes time to cut around your pavers, use the outline as your guide. Using a box cutter, cut at a 45-degree angle around your pavers, leaving a gap of approximately an eighth of an inch between the paver and the grass.
Clean Up the Seams
Finishing your installation job by cleaning up your seams makes a world of difference. Not only does it make the entire installation job look more professional, but it will also keep the edges of your artificial grass from lifting down the road. For this step, join any seams in your artificial grass, using a box cutter to trim off any excess. You can secure the seams using joining tape and after this is complete, you can remove any nails that were used to hold the turf in place.
Adding infill, such as sand, cork, or rubber, will help with drainage. After your artificial grass installation is complete, slowly add a layer of infill between your pavers and rake or brush the grass to make sure that the blades are standing upright.
Whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance backyard or are simply looking to add some green space to an otherwise dull patio, artificial grass is a great addition to any outdoor space.