How we install artificial grass
Most of the work in a good artificial lawn is the part you never see. This is how John fits artificial grass so it drains in Irish rain and stays flat.
The build-up, layer by layer
Lay artificial grass straight onto soil, or onto a thin base that wasn't compacted, and you get puddles after rain, lumps and dips, a smell where the dog goes and edges lifting. With the rain we get, and the heavy clay in a lot of gardens, the base matters more than anything else.
- Dig out the old grass and topsoil.
- Build the base with crushed stone, compacted in layers.
- Level with a finer layer for a smooth finish.
- Lay a weed membrane.
- Lay, join and fix the grass, with the pile running the right way and seams hidden.
- Brush in kiln-dried sand where needed and brush up the pile.
On concrete, patios and decking there's no digging out: the hard surface becomes the base. See artificial grass on concrete and decking.
What we install
Gardens and lawns
A lawn that's gone to mud and moss can be swapped for artificial grass that stays green all year.
Dogs and kennels
A real lawn doesn't stand much chance against a dog, and most of it ends up on your kitchen floor.
Play areas and crèches
Artificial grass gives children somewhere to play outside even after a wet night, without the bare mud under the swings.
Graves
Keeping a family grave tidy is hard going when you can't get there often.
Putting greens
With a putting green out the back you can practise on a wet Tuesday in February, and there's no mowing or rolling to keep it right.
Bars and beer gardens
A beer garden in artificial grass looks the same in November as it does in June, and customers don't carry mud back into the bar.
Concrete, patios and decking
A grey concrete yard or a tired old patio can go green without anything being dug out.
Installation questions
More answers on the questions page, or read does artificial grass drain in Irish rain?
How long does it take to install artificial grass?
Most back gardens take a day or two. Small areas, graves and jobs on existing concrete are often done in a day. A big garden takes longer, and so does one where everything has to go through the house by barrow.
Will artificial grass drain properly in Irish rain?
Yes, if it's laid properly. The old soil is dug out and replaced with a stone base, compacted with a whacker plate, and the grass has a perforated backing so rain goes straight down through it. When you see an artificial lawn with puddles or a smell, it's nearly always down to a poor base.
Can artificial grass be laid on concrete or decking?
Yes. On concrete there's nothing to dig out, so it's a quicker job. The concrete has to let water run off, and we often put a foam underlay down so it's softer underfoot. On decking, the boards need to be sound and level first.
Get a free quote and free samples
Send John two or three photos of the area on WhatsApp with rough measurements, and you'll get an idea of the cost quickly. Quotes are free with no obligation.