Artificial Lawn Installation

We are going to install an artificial lawn in our backyard to replace a dead patch that is now a mud pit. According to the website, to install you need to dig down 2-3 inches and put in “crushed aggregate” then tamp, and place the lawn over it. However one of the contractors we spoke with installs 2 inches of gravel, then 1 inch of sand (or decomposed granite), then a weed barrier and then the grass, like what’s shown here ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CmylbYaxIU – warning loud music). I’d love to hear about what was done on other’s projects, and how soft or “soil like” the result is, as our kids are going to be rolling around on it. Thanks!

gwan

in General Discussion 7 years ago

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Guest User | 7 years ago

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James Stephenson theartistgarden.com did great work in my yard including installing 1000 sq ft of artificial lawn. definitely recommend.

anotherposter | 7 years ago

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Has anyone had a landscaper or the like install artificial lawn? I want to do this but have not gotten response from a couple of messages left at localish companies that supposedly specialize in this and would like to do it soon. I’d love to get some local recs.

As for animals, cats like to bury their waste so I think would not likely go on it but if they do, buy some Nature’s Miracle to put there. Racoons might be another story, but their poop is small. 🙂

greenworks | 7 years ago

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Hey Andrew I’m on the fence about artificial turf and have looked in to it a bit but not a deep dive – that being said I don’t think residential artificial turf uses the same recycled black rubber tire material as that used on sports-specific surfaces (and the main focus of the article you posted).

My understanding is that the black tire material is mainly used for cushioning for athletes running on it and that the residential does not. I believe it uses silica sand (light colored). I’m open to correction from those who have it installed tho for sure.

https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/landscaping/how-to-lay-artificial-turf

AndrewPorter | 7 years ago

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If you’re not concerned that the temperature in the sun can be well over 100 degrees, and also unconcerned with chemical issues, go for it. Otherwise, read this:

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93364750

camp6ell | 7 years ago

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No issue with neighborhood cats on our artificial lawn

bqeresident1 | 7 years ago

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We have a lot of stray cats that hang out in the backyards of our block. Anyone with artificial grass have any issues with them using it as a litter box?
thanks

monaco | 7 years ago

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@gwan we are very happy. It is better than falling on real grass, extremely plush, thick and soft. The rock underneath in no way impacts the feel, but it’s used for drainage and very effective.

@CarmenR this DIY project cost me about $2,000 all materials purchased from Lowe’s. My backyard is 17’ x 43’ but layed the artificial grass in a 13’ x 21’ section. Keep in mind many manufacturing sell the artificial turf in 15’ wide section and are sold on sq ft basis. We had extra left over which we can use to replace certain spots the wear down over the years.

CarmenR | 7 years ago

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FirstSlope- curious about how much this cost you all-in (and the size of the space, obv).

gwan | 7 years ago

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And are you happy with how soft the ground is? If a kid takes a tumble, is it like falling on soil or like falling on rock?

monaco | 7 years ago

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We undertook this project last spring:

1. We leveled the yard
2. Installed a weed barrier
3. Put down 2″ of 0.5-cu ft drainage rock
4. Used a tamper to to solidify the rock
5. Installed UltraLush Platinum artificial grass
6. Finished with all purpose sand over the grass

The grass is amazing, so soft and thick. The kids love it and is so easy to maintain.