I’m sure we’ve all seen the home improvement shows that turn a boring, concrete surface into a wonderful outdoors space by installing artificial grass. You might even have a similar space, and wonder if doing the same is possible. The good news is that it is possible to install artificial grass on concrete, and we’re going to show you how.
In this article, we’ll look at the process of installing artificial grass on concrete, and walk you through the steps to do so yourself. Also, you´ll be taught about the benefits and potential issues that you may find during the process so you can make the decision whether it’s the right project for you and your home.
Reasons to Install Artificial Grass on Concrete?
Many people consider artificial grass as a great option to instantly transform their patios. This useful material has many advantages over natural grass, among them:
Significant savings on water services
Artificial grass has a low impact on the environment, avoiding waste or the expense of water. You don’t need to spend time watering your lawn, and your water bill costs will be significantly reduced. You also don’t need to worry about lawn services or fertilizers, both costly expenses in their own right.
Low maintenance
Artificial grass also requires very little maintenance to keep in shape. You can ditch the lawnmower, weed wacker, and other lawn care tools. Artificial grass doesn’t grow, so it will always look pleasing, even without any intervention on your part.
UV resistant
Artificial grass offers excellent durability in sunlight and doesn’t burn out like regular grass does. This makes it a great option for those
Anti-allergic
Artificial Grass stays free of grass allergens that are often present in organic grass. This makes it great for those that are sensitive to outdoor allergies.
Resistance, durability, and fantastic appearance
Artificial grass is also extremely durable, and built to hold up to the elements. There are several different types available that perform better depending on the climate. These can also come in different styles as well, so you can match your preferred design aesthetic.
Potential Issues
Despite all advantages related to the installation of artificial grass on concrete, it’s possible to run into certain issues. Here’s a couple of common ones to watch out for:
Not suitable concrete
It is essential to have a solid base surface to give your artificial grass a good foundation. Improperly prepared concrete can derail the entire process, and leave your with a less than pleasing result.
Check that the surface doesn’t have large cracks, or loose or raised sections in the concrete. In these cases, it’s best to repair the concrete before continuing. You should also ensure that you have a nice level surface to install on.
If you have minor cracks, repair them using a self-leveling compound. It’s easy to apply and ,generally, it just requires adding water. These actions allow for obtaining a stable and flat concrete surface, adequate for installation. In case, you have minor imperfections or small unsmooth areas, you can try a foam underlay to solve the issue.
Improper Drainage
In large surfaces or sites with abundant rainfall, additional work in terrain may be necessary to ensure proper drainage. For example, adding pipes, special drainage channels, and foam underlay might be necessary. This is one of the most important steps as improper drainage is one of the biggest causes for a failed installation and greatly reduces the lifetime of your grass.
It’s important to emphasize using quality materials and a smooth finish to reduce the formation of puddles or pockets of retained water. This type of sitting water is a sure way to ruin your hard work and create a surface that is uneven and unpleasant.
Apply Silica Sand Infill
This step both helps create that “springy” grass feel as well as control temperatures in hotter temperatures. Silica absorbs less sunlight, and this helps keep your artificial turf cool. This is especially important in warmer climates.
Installing Artificial Grass Overview
Overall, the process for installing artificial grass on concrete is relatively simple. It does require a bit of work, but should be doable for most hobbyists. First, you required some tools and materials to install artificial grass in concrete like:
- Artificial grass rolls of your choice (according to the intended use)
- Foam underlay
- Compaction material (silica sand or some other equivalent)
- Gaffer tape – to secure foam underlay.
- Artificial grass glue
- Joining tape – for the artificial grass, when you have joints.
- Ruler or some other measuring instrument.
- Precision Knife, or some other appropriate cutting instrument.
- Hard bristle brush.
- Garden hose.
With the material gathered let’s walk through how to go about the installation process.
Preparing existing concrete
The first stage is fundamental for this project and should not be taken lightly. Start your prep by removing any items that might interfere with the installation. This includes moss, weeds, grass, and stones among others.
Next, clean the concrete with a garden hose and hard bristle brush. You want to ensure that the concrete has no fogein contaminants that could interfere with the grasses’ adhesion. You should also ensure that the concrete is level, and take steps to fill in any holes, gaps, or cracks.
At this stage, the system of drainage should also be considered. Building off the above step, look for any pooling water that forms during cleaning. These are clear signals that you have a drainage issue that needs to be addressed.
If necessary, certain work must be performed to guarantee adequate water drainage and prevent it from filtering underneath. There are multiple methods of accomplishing this, and will vary depending on your specific situation.
Install a Foam Underlay
Next, you’ll want to add a foam underlay. This helps provide a solid foundation for your grass, and also provides padding and cushion. This ultimately makes the grass softer, and is essential if you want to do things like play sports on the area.
Roll out your foam and make sure you cover the entire area. Smooth this out to prevent any bumps, and then use adhesive to join the pieces if needed. A tip here is to lay out the foam before applying adhesive. This ensures that you have the correct amount and it looks right. Many people lay the adhesive down right away, only to find out that they’ve laid their foam incorrectly. This can be a time consuming, and costly, mistake.
Installation of Artificial Grass
Next you’ll install the actual artificial grass over the foam. Each segment of artificial grass must be carefully unrolled and cut paying close attention to the edges. The edges of each segment must exactly match the edges of the next segment to ensure a quality finish.
It is important for the final finish that all artificial grass segments are placed in the same orientation. Otherwise, the result will be very obvious and unsightly. You should also go over the edges with turf adhesive.
Add Silica Sand
In the final stage, the compacting material is added, either silica sand or any other equivalent. Add this to the turf, and then brush it to create an even distribution. This isn’t strictly necessary, but provides some natural weight and heat absorption that your grass would otherwise be missing. The brushing can also help tease out the individual blades of grass as they may be matted down due to storage.
Wrapping Up
Installing artificial grass on concrete can be a relatively easy project that can completely transform an area. Additionally, it’s friendly for your pets and the environment.
As a final note, we want to reiterate how important proper drainage is. Make sure to test this out before laying your foam and turf. This can potentially save you a lot of headaches in the future.
As always, feel free to drop a comment with any questions or comments you might have. We’re always happy to help with any of your DIY projects.
Artificial Grass on Concrete FAQs
How can you maintain artificial grass?
A simple brushing is often enough to help keep the grass upright and looking in top shape. You can also wash it with a hose and a mild detergent to remove odors and bacteria.
What happens with artificial grass when it rains?
The artificial grass is made with synthetic materials non-degradable with water. The rolls of artificial grass are meant to be porous, and will naturally drain water. You should ensure that the material underneath your grass doesn’t pool water and allows proper drainage.
What Can I Do to Repair Wrinkles and the Grass if The Glue has Dried?
You can try to lift the problematic area, pull out the grass tightly to ensure the synthetic grass doesn’t have wrinkles and glue it back down again. You should also apply adhesive to the perimeter of your grass on installation to help prevent wrinkles. .
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