Installing Artificial Grass Questions

Ljc80_2

Im going to try a installing artificial grass myself in an area at the side of my house for a play area and have some questions someone can hopefully help with!

I'm currently clearing the area and will then an a layer of MOT type1 and then granite dust, both whackered down as the sub base.

My questions are:

I was going to stake in a timer frame of 3x2s and add the type 1 and dust in this and try to get the base level with the timber, then nail or screw the grass down to this around the perimeter. Is this acceptable? I've seen conflicting methods as to whether to us a timber frame as it will rot, and also if the grass even needs pinned to this or do you just nail it down into the sub-base?

One side of the grass will butt up to slabs that are already in place - i was going to put a strip of timber buried infront of the slabs to again pin the grass to. Is this ok? I have seen people add a strip of concrete and glue it down to that, or again could you just nail down into the sub-base?

I feel the timber frame is required to even just hold the type 1 and dust in place and it will help getting the area level having that straight timer edge, but have seen so many different method online i am now all confused!

Any help would be appreciated!

tacpot12

My view is that the timber frame will rot and will do so suprisingly quickly even if treted timberr is used. I would be inclined to install a narrow area of slab around the perimeter that isn't already slabbed (this will look like a mowing strip, although such a strip would be redundant with artificial grass). Then just stake through the subbase using long pins to keep the edges of the grass fixed down.

I laid my own artificial grass and staked the perimeter with pins, but it's so heavy that I doubt this was necessary.

Ljc80_2

Thanks for your reply. So you think just long galvanised nails around the edge through the subbase will work for keeping it in place?

Did you do a sand infill over the grass to weight it down?

Might look at a row of monoblocks around the edge rather than slabs like you suggest 

jj_home_80

Sounds like you’ve got the right idea overall, and fair play for tackling it yourself – it’s not a small job!

Using a timber frame is absolutely fine and pretty common in DIY installs. Yes, timber can rot eventually, but if you use treated 3x2 and it’s not sitting in standing water, it’ll last long enough for a play area – especially at the side of the house where traffic isn’t too heavy. Just make sure you’ve got good drainage under there and maybe wrap the timber in damp-proof membrane if you’re worried.

You can fix the grass to the timber with galvanised nails or screws and washers – helps hold it down neatly around the edges. Some people leave it loose, but with kids running around, it’s best to fix it securely.

For the side that butts up to slabs – your plan’s fine. Burying a strip of timber in front of the slabs to pin into will work. A concrete haunch is a more permanent option and gluing onto that can give a super tidy finish, but for DIY, timber’s easier and gives you some flexibility.

And you’re spot on about the frame helping to level off and contain the base layers – it makes compacting and getting your levels so much easier. So yeah, crack on with your plan – just whacker it down well, make sure water can drain through the sub-base, and you’ll be good.