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Essex Artificial Grass Experts
07522 489 311
We Supply. We Install. We Do it All.
Essex Artificial Grass Experts
Your deck must have looked like a little piece of paradise when you first put it down. Jumping forward to a couple of years later, it looks grubby and aesthetically unpleasing.
That’s only natural because decking requires much maintenance to preserve its features. Not to mention the amount of time and money you have to fork out to clean it from moss, repaint it, and replace the damaged parts.
Laying artificial grass on decking is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to overcome this problem.
While many people have reservations about artificial turf, the improvement in materials has made these concerns obsolete.
Right now, it’s your best way of transforming your dull yard into a green, low-maintenance, pet and kid-friendly garden.
So, here’s everything you need to know about installing artificial turf, including the steps, considerations and available services.
The process of laying fake grass isn’t rocket science, but it has to be done right to ensure the lawn’s longevity and performance.
Sure, the most important thing is to choose the best artificial grass product there is, but some factors are essential to make sure of first.
It only makes sense to measure your deck’s surface to estimate the number of artificial grass rolls you’ll need. While it doesn’t seem like a hard step, you have to do it smartly.
If you have a square lawn, all you have to do is calculate the square meters of your area.
But what if you have an oval-shaped garden or your backyard has spaces that don’t need artificial grass like gravel or patios? A turf calculator will help you get the right number of rolls required in such cases.
Your main goal should be to lay the artificial grass with the least number of seams to achieve a more consistent look.
Also, keep in mind that you’ll have to trim the edges to fit your area, so try to order a bit more grass to allow for shaping the borders.
The decking beneath the artificial grass should be healthy, or else the whole process can go to waste. Make a fast but comprehensive scan of your decking and see if there are any broken or rotten boards.
Laying grass on broken planks will result in an unlevel turf, which will not only feel unnatural but also be filled with rocks and graves over time, bringing on dips and bumps that can be dangerous to walk on. That’s why it’s recommended to replace any broken boards.
Replacement planks don’t have to be of the same type of decking in your yard. Any cheap alternative will do since they’re going to be covered anyway. Just make sure that your yard’s surface is level before you begin fitting the grass.
All decks have gaps. While these gaps are important to drain water, they can be another reason why your artificial grass surface ends up uneven.
To overcome the visibility of these gaps, you have to use grass piles that are at least 30mm in thickness. However, for a soft and springy feel under your feet, an underlay will be a pleasant option.
You can either install a flat layer of plywood on top of your deck or place an underfelt under the artificial grass. The latter will better imitate the natural spiky and soggy feeling of natural grass under your feet.
Whichever you choose to install, make sure that it doesn’t close the gaps completely but rather conceals them. Without sufficient drainage, water will accumulate under the artificial grass layer, so your underlay should be able to get rid of moisture quickly.
Once you’ve made sure all the previous factors are covered, begin laying your artificial grass by the following steps:
First, remove all the furniture, plants and objects in your backyard and scrub the decking surface thoroughly. Then, leave it to dry completely before you begin the process.
Artificial grass is provided in large rolls. Start by unrolling it from one side of your garden all the way to the opposite side. Then, cut the roll and start laying it again from the side you began from.
To conceal the seams, all the turf should be pointing in the same direction. That’s why it’s imperative to work in one direction throughout the whole process.
Also, ensure the grass direction is facing the angle it’ll be viewed from. For example, if you’re laying the grass in your backyard, you’ll be viewing it from your property, so make sure it faces toward your house. On the other hand, artificial turf in your front garden should be pointing towards the gate.
After finishing, leave the grass for a few hours before you start joining the edges, preferably for 12 hours.
Artificial grass comes in the shape of 2 to 4-meter-wide rolls, so most probably, you’ll have to connect the sides of the rolls. You can use either joining tape or adhesive. The process is pretty easy; just pour the adhesive or stick the tape to both sides of the artificial turf and lay them down.
When using adhesive, ensure that you’re using an adequate amount to secure the joins. Too much adhesive will result in the glue leaching onto the grass, while too little will cause the edges to come apart.
Now that the grass is laid on your decking and secured as one piece, it’s time to fix its edges with pins and nails to the decking. Choose nails that can go through your decking material to guarantee a strong fix.
For extra security, put flower pots and furniture at the edges of your artificial lawn until it sticks completely to the decking.
Finally, install a sand infill to support the artificial fibres of your turf and give a natural movement to the grass. To settle the sand at the bottom, brush the pile with an artificial grass power brush or artificial grass rake. This will also help the grass retain its natural look after being rolled for a while.
It’s also important to brush it every now and then to maintain its appearance and help it stand upright, especially in heavy traffic areas.
Intrigued to turn your backyard into your own heaven? While many homeowners resort to installing artificial grass themselves to save money, having a professional hand laying it will guarantee you a better finish, both in terms of beauty and functionality.
Here at Essex Artificial Grass, we provide the highest-quality artificial grass with a minimum ten-year guarantee. Because we believe that installing the grass correctly is as important as choosing top-of-the-line artificial grass, we supply, install and do it all!
Our artificial grass will give you the green lawn you’ve been dreaming of with minimal upkeep and thousands of design options waiting for you to create. So what are you waiting for? Give us a call!
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