A little while back we published a blog explaining the difference between real and artificial turf. We mentioned that artificial turf, as a natural grass placement, was catching on here in the UK as quickly as it is in the States. However, there is enough of a market for it now to prompt Rukeri to begin carrying two types of artificial turf. You can see them both by following the appropriate links on the left side of this page.
Having said that, the next question is one of whether or not a DIY installation of artificial turf is really a wise idea. Because this technology is largely unknown to UK homeowners, we would caution that self-installation is probably a tougher DIY job than most expect. That is not to say that it cannot be done, but rather that it may require a lot of research and some practice to get it right.
A Little Bit about Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is, as its name suggests, a synthetic product manufactured by companies that specialise in creating playing fields for sports stadiums. It consists of millions of fibres that are manufactured to look and feel like genuine grass, all embedded in a backing material that works a lot like the backing on your carpet. The backing is designed to do several things: hold the fibres in place, keep the entire surface affixed to its base, and allow for proper water runoff.
To add a more realistic look and feel, a filler material is added on top of the base. This filler material is generally made of shredded car tyres and other materials that will give the appearance and feel of soil. When you purchase artificial turf, it will come in rolls just like real turf.
Dealing with Seams
Artificial turf products are fairly straightforward in terms of cutting, sizing and fitting. If you can roll out and cut a piece of carpet, you can do the same with artificial turf. The difficult part of the job is dealing with the inevitable seams involved with large areas. If those seams are not handled correctly, the following results could occur:
- curling along the edges
- soil erosion and standing water
- a generally poor appearance.
Getting the seams right requires some knowledge and experience. Consumers who want to cover large areas of ground with artificial turf should seriously consider hiring a professional to install the material. If you want to save money by doing it yourself, it might be better to put off the project until next year. Spend this year doing as much research as you can. That research might include visiting locations were artificial turf is already installed in order to ask questions.
Artificial Turf on Small Areas
A good place to start learning about artificial turf installation would be a small area like a deck or concrete patio. You can use these areas to practice, knowing that the turf is not permanent. You can also practice on some small areas of soil where a single piece of turf will be sufficient. This will enable you to practice cutting and sizing properly.
There are special glues and adjoining tapes used to hold artificial turf seams together. Therefore, you may want to practice using these materials in small areas where the finished product does not matter too much. Try cutting two or three smaller pieces of turf and joining them with glue and tape according to manufacturer instructions. With some practice, you should be able to master creating good quality joints.
