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September 22, 2025 Artificial TurfArtificial Turf Maintenance
Artificial turf has become one of the UK’s most popular low-maintenance landscaping solutions. But achieving a realistic, long-lasting finish depends on the right installation guidance. So, how do you install artificial turf correctly?
In this easy-to-follow guide, our turf experts explain how to install artificial turf, including ground preparation, edging, and those finishing touches for a professional-looking artificial lawn.
Whether you’re a homeowner upgrading your family garden or a landscaper looking for expert advice, this guide will help you install artificial grass that looks incredible, drains properly and lasts for years.
Content Overview:
Before we jump to installing artificial turf, it’s important to make sure that artificial grass is the best option for you.
Homeowners, schools and corporate offices are switching to artificial turf for several reasons. People with smaller or urban outdoor spaces, where garden maintenance is more challenging, are definitely seeing the advantages, too.
To help you decide, here are some of the top reasons to switch from natural turf to artificial grass:
Explore our premium artificial grass products, suited to a range of budgets, preferences and landscaping projects:
Having the right sub-base for your artificial lawn is crucial for its success! The sub-base helps:
Knowing what to put under artificial grass and what subbase to use can make all the difference.
For the best results and an easier installation process, you want a smooth, level surface as a subbase for your artificial turf. Compacted aggregate (MOT Type 1), crushed limestone, or crushed granite is the best subbase option for artificial turf.
Typically, your artificial turf subbase should look like this:
Before you start, gather your essential artificial turf laying kit:
Like natural turf, preparing the ground for artificial turf is equally important. Firstly, note the pile height of your artificial grass, as this will determine how deep your foundations need to be.
Follow the 5 steps to ensure correct ground preparation for installing artificial grass:
First, you need to remove all evidence of any existing turf. You can use a turf cutter for larger areas or a knife and shovel for smaller lawns. Remove the natural turf and about 75-100 mm of soil. Weed the entire area before moving to the next step.
It’s important to note that turf is very heavy to move. So, cut smaller pieces or get some extra hands to help!
Edging your lawn’s border will help keep your artificial turf in place. It’ll also prevent edges from moving, eroding and potentially creating an uneven lawn.
We recommend a border around 75-100 mm high and 75-100 mm wide, with the top of the boundary flat and level with where you’ll glue your artificial turf.
Adequate drainage is essential when laying any type of turf. But if you don’t get it right with artificial turf, it can lead to unpleasant odours or water pooling on your lawn.
To check the drainage, measure the area’s elevation – you want the highest point to be in the middle of the lawn and next to any structures, with the lowest points being at the edge.
Start with your primary subbase, laying 50-85 mm of MOT Type 1, crushed limestone, or granite. Compact into place and apply a 25.4 mm layer of sharp sand to fill any gaps. Smooth over and compact into place with a compactor plate or roller.
Complete this step by lightly watering your subbase; it’ll remove any dust and help your foundation settle.
As you add your subbase, keep checking the elevation until you reach about 12 mm below where you want your turf to sit.
Although artificial turf prevents weeds, it doesn’t eliminate them. This is why we add a weed membrane. The membrane sits on top of your subbase and stops weeds from coming through. As you lay it, make sure it covers the entire area and overlaps at the edges.
Read more: Can Weeds Grow Within Artificial Turf?
Once the ground preparation is complete, follow the 4 steps below to lay the perfect artificial lawn.
Start by laying out your artificial turf roll, allowing it to settle and stretch out for about an hour. Using a tape measure, cut it to size.
Starting in the top corner, lay your first roll of artificial turf, butting it close to the edge. As you lay the following rolls, be sure to overlap the edges for now to ensure ample coverage – you can cut them away later.
Lay one line of turf, then turn around and lay another in the opposite direction. Like natural turf, follow a brick-like pattern for better performance.
Top Tip: When cutting fake grass, always fold back the turf and cut along the stitch lines for a neat finish.
When joining two pieces of artificial turf, pull the edges back and place turf joining tape along the seam.
Apply an even layer of adhesive to the tape, ensuring it is completely covered, before folding the turf back onto it. Push the seams together and secure them in place by walking along the seam.
Top Tip: Use garden pins to keep your turf in place as you cut, and to keep it tight around edges and structures. If you notice any wrinkles or bumps, use a carpet fitter around the edge to stretch your turf tightly into place.
Like you would add topsoil to natural turf, infill is the equivalent for artificial turf.
Most landscapers opt for sand as their preferred infill, which adds some weight to keep your artificial turf in place. Sand also helps the grass fibres stand tall and keeps your lawn cool.
You’ll need approximately 5 kg of sand per square metre, which can be evenly spread with a shovel or a seed spreader.
Using a stiff broom, give your new artificial lawn a good brush. Remember to brush in the same direction as the grass fibres to help lift them and spread out your infill.
As a final finish, check that the edges are secure and trim stray fibres.
Even premium artificial turf can perform poorly if installed incorrectly.
Often, when a customer calls with a problem with their artificial grass, it’s because the ground wasn’t prepared correctly or there’s poor drainage, which leads to unwanted odours.
To help you avoid disappointment later, we’ve collected the most common mistakes when installing artificial grass:
Obviously, the beauty of artificial turf is that it requires minimal maintenance. But there are a few things you can do to ensure it looks its best all year round:
You can order high-quality artificial turf online or over the phone with George Davies Turf & Stone. We have a great range to suit your budget and landscaping needs, and can be viewed at our St Albans branch.
If you’re unsure of anything, get in touch with our friendly customer service team, who are here to answer all your artificial turf questions!
For landscapers handling large volumes of artificial turf, consider our Trades Accounts, which can support your projects and provide your customers with access to premium landscaping materials.
No. Artificial turf should not be laid directly onto natural grass. Existing grass or vegetation should be removed to prevent uneven surfaces, weed growth, and movement. Remove any existing turf and replace it with a suitable subbase for your artificial turf.
Yes! A solid subbase is essential for effective artificial turf installation. A compacted subbase helps improve drainage, prevents sinking, and improves the overall performance of your lawn. We recommend a MOT Type 1 or crushed limestone/granite subbase when installing artificial turf.
When installed properly, high-quality artificial turf can last between 10 and 20 years. This is dependent on the level of usage and maintenance. However, premium artificial grass is designed to withstand foot traffic, weather conditions and UV exposure for years to come.
Yes! Artificial turf is highly pet-friendly. It is one of the reasons why many homeowners choose artificial grass. It’s durable, easy to clean, and mud-free! When installed correctly, it should drain efficiently, meaning dog odours are washed away.
Absolutely! With the help of this step-by-step guide, many homeowners have successfully installed artificial turf themselves. With the right preparation, subbase, tools, and materials, installing your own artificial turf is easy.
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