How To Put Turf In Backyard

How To Make A Backyard Putting Green With Artificial Turf

Installation by: Keepers Turf

Do you love playing golf, but hate all the time and energy it takes to pack up and get to the course?

Why not enjoy the beauty of the game from the comfort of your own backyard?

Artificial turf putting greens are the ideal addition to any home landscape. Why? Because they can be enjoyed and played on all year round.

Unlike natural grass, artificial turf is low-maintenance leaving you with more time to spend practicing putting strokes and less time spent worrying about upkeep.

Before you start enjoying the benefits of having an artificial turf putting green at your home, there are a few details you should consider when planning a backyard golf putting green.

How To Prepare For Artificial Grass Installation

Troy Scott

Youve made the decision to switch to artificial grass. Smart plan. Now, youre wondering if you could save money by installing the fake grass yourself. Seems like it would be a pretty straight-forward DIY project sort of like laying carpet, right?

No, actually, but well get to that in a minute. First, have you chosen the right artificial grass for your project? Synthetic turf comes in numerous styles, and quality can vary significantly. The product you choose will directly and significantly affect the look, longevity, and value of your installation. But did you know that how your artificial grass is installed will also determine the appearance, longevity, and value of your investment?

Sub-par installation will erase the benefits of a superior, well-chosen product. And even expert installation cannot overcome the deficiencies of a product that is mediocre quality or the wrong grass for your purpose. The only way to ensure maximum return on your investment is by choosing the right product and insisting on professional installation.

How To Install An Artificial Lawn

This article was co-authored by Benjamin Hansen. Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 395,774 times.

With proper installation, an artificial lawn requires no regular maintenance apart from an occasional spray to keep it clean.XExpert SourceLicensed Landscape ContractorExpert Interview. 6 October 2020. The installation itself can be intense, especially for a large lawn, so recruit a few strong friends to help with the process.

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Artificial Turf Cost Vs Sod Cost

A synthetic lawn is more expensive to install than a natural grass lawn. On average, artificial turf installation ranges between $5.50 and $18.75 per square foot. Sod installation runs much cheaper, costing most homeowners between $0.87 to $1.76 per square foot.

Although sod is more affordable to install than artificial turf, it does require maintenance, which costs year after year. Synthetic turf can save you money in the long term due to its low-cost maintenance.

For a 500-square-foot yard, sod adds an average lawn maintenance cost of $931 each year. With that in mind, a 500-square-foot yard of artificial grass can pay for itself in about six years.

Note: The chart above covers the annual spending maintenance of a 500-square-foot lawn. The time it takes for an artificial yard to pay for itself may vary depending on the type of turf installed and the areas size.

How Much Does Artificial Grass Cost In Dallas

With the rising cost of lawn maintenance, drainage issues affecting home foundations and water shortages on the horizon, many home owners are looking into replacing sod with artificial turf.

The cost of installing artificial grass can vary greatly due to size of project, access to install area, type of turf needed and other factors. On average, North Dallas residents will pay between $6,500 and $14,400 for a new artificial grass lawn.

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Diy Artificial Grass: A Step

Tackling that landscaping remodel can be a daunting task for any homeowner, not to mention that maintenance that comes after the project is finalized. Thats why artificial grass can be the perfect choice when it comes to a low-maintenance yard.

Knowing how to install artificial grass comes with its own set of challenges and can be difficult if you dont know the proper steps. Install It Directs DIY guide will take you through the step-by-step process to ensure that the installation goes smoothly and you end up with a lush looking lawn.

Choose Turf And Infill Based On The Expected Use

Artificial turf is made of nylon, polypropylene or polyethylene. Nylon is the softest and most realistic, but its also the least durable. Polypropylene is essentially the opposite: durable, but not realistic. Polyethylene strikes a good balance, and because its easy to clean and deodorize, its the best choice if you own pets.

Pile height is another important consideration. Two to three inches is best for high-traffic areas, increasing the products durability and making it more comfortable for walking and playing. A shorter pile height, from 1/2- to 1-1/2-inches, is easier to maintain and a better choice for low-traffic areas like courtyards and apartment balconies.

Infill is the material you spread on the turf immediately after installation to hold it down and help mitigate the heat retention of the plastic grass blades.

Crumb rubber, manufactured from recycled car tires, is one of the most common infills. But its lightweight, doesnt hold well in high winds and amplifies the synthetic odors of the turf. Plus, its an environmental concern that recycled car rubber contains toxic chemicals that can leach into the ground.

Acrylic coated sand and silica sand are safer choices. Zeolite, also eco-friendly, is a fourth option with deodorizing properties that can benefit households with pets.

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When To Install A Wire Mesh

As you can see on the diagram above, a wire mesh is installed on top of the soil, after you removed dirt and existing sod, and before you start spreading and compacting drain rocks and decomposed granite. A Wire Mesh, or a wire barrier, is meant to prevent gophers and moles from damaging lawns. Are those critters populated in your area? Then, no matter what type of lawn you install, natural or artificial, you want to protect it. There are special gopher wires that are made specifically for this reason to make strong underground barrier below the surface of your lawn. This step is optional. Some regions have no issues with gophers, while in others, gophers over-population affects the whole gardening and landscaping experience. Gophers love to tunnel their way up your lawn and to turn it into their personal salad bar. They are not too interested in artificial turf with rocks and granite underneath. If there are no problems with gophers and moles in your installation area, a wire mesh can be an unreasonable expense.

Keep The Blade Direction Uniform

Artificial turf, like carpeting, comes in heavy rolls that are difficult for one person to manage. Youll need help carrying and positioning them. Once you get a roll in the general installation area, leave it in the sun for an hour or so before unrolling it. It will be more pliable and lay out flatter.

When you have to put two sections of turf side by side to cover a wide area, make sure the blades of both pieces lay in the same direction. If theyre facing opposite directions, your new lawn will look like patchwork instead of a continuous whole.

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Can You Lay Artificial Grass On Natural Grass

You might be wondering if you can just lay down artificial grass on top of natural grass. Simply put, the answer is, yes. However, just like any shortcut, there are pros and cons.

While laying artificial grass on top of natural grass can save you some money and time spent in removing your existing lawn, theres also a chance that youll run into some issues down the road when using this method. Review the pros and cons below of laying down artificial grass on top of natural grass.

How To Lay Artificial Grass

Enjoy a green lawn that never needs water.

A healthy green lawn can be difficult to achieve and maintain, especially in areas with water restrictions or poor soil. Artificial grass is a great option for homeowners who still want the look of a lawn but without the hassle and maintenance. You can lay your own patch of artificial grass just like you’d put in sod, but without using any water.

There are professional artificial grass installers who will do a complete landscape job on your lawn, but if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty this is a DIY project that anyone can handle. Home Depot has a variety of artificial grass ranging from $2.25 to $51 per square foot. It’s always best to go in store and touch and feel the grass, as well as compare the different color shades, so you know exactly what you are getting.

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Common Mistakes To Avoid

Some of the most common mistakes that are made with Central Texas turf installations are easy to avoid if you take care to follow DIY instructions. Some issues that people may see include:

• Uneven base: if you dont smooth the base material and ensure there will be proper drainage, you could run into issues in the longer term. Take the time to ensure the base is even because your turf will be a reflection of the base thats underneath.
• Ignoring the grain of the turf: when you dont look at the direction of the turf blades, you can get a messy appearance. Before gluing and nailing the turf in place, make sure the blades are all going in the same direction.
• Skipping the weed barrier: if you dont lay down a layer of landscape fabric or weed barrier, you could have some weed growth that will cause frustrations down the road.

If youre ready to get started on your artificial turf installation, get in touch with the synthetic turf pros at SYNLawn Dallas, who can help make sure you have all the tools you need and guide you in your turf selection process.

Choosing The Right Putting Green Infill

Once the artificial turf has been installed, its time to choose an infill. Whether youre using your putting green for serious golf practice, or youre getting the family outside for family fun, you want a product that is high-performing and clean for everyone to enjoy.

Smooth Surface

An artificial turf green with Envirofill infill provides a firm, smooth surface making it an ideal infill for all your putting strokes. Its highly-rounded quartz core resists compaction so it wont continue to compress over the life of your putting green no matter how many times you use it.

Clean as a Whistle

Envirofill is infused with Microban® antimicrobial product protection to help prevent the growth of bacteria and microbes that can cause mold, mildew, odor, and product deterioration. Better yet, Envirofill is also non-toxic and tested regularly in 3rd party labels for quality assurance.

So, you can feel good about practicing on your green as much as you want with all members of your family including the 4-legged furry friends who may wind up on your backyard green.

Optimal Drainage

If you live in an area that sees a lot of rain throughout the year, youll want an infill built for optimal drainage. Envirofill is made from round acrylic coated sand. Its shape and size helps the drainage process run smoothly so your putting green stays pristine and playable.

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Getting Ready To Install Artificial Grass: Site Base Preparation

Lawn Turf Pricing And Installation Cost Checklist

• Get at least 3-5 estimates before hiring a Lawn Turf contractor estimates are typically free, unless its a service call for a repair.
• Expect the Lawn Turf prices to fluctuate between various companies each and every company have different operation expenses and over-head.
• Try to get prices in late Fall, early winter you should expect aggressive pricing discounts by waiting for a contractors down season.
• Try to budget and additional 7-15% more on top of what our calculator gives out for Lawn Turf costs.
• Visit every supply house that sell your particular brand of Lawn Turf and try to negotiate a better price with each supplier I save on average 20%.
• Remember, there are multiple styled homes in the U.S from: Contemporary, colonial, cape-cod style, ranch, bungalow, victorian, etc. So keep that in mind and try to budget a little more, before starting your Lawn Turf project.

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Artificial Turf Installation Guide

Next, evenly spread three inches of class two road base over the area where you will be laying your turf. Road base will help us to create a level platform with proper drainage.

Lightly wet the area and go over it with a compactor to create a smooth base for laying the material.

Depending on your yard, you may want to add gopher wire and weed barrier to prevent vegetation and pests from sprouting through your new lawn. Weed barrier is NOT recommended if you have pets.

Next is the part weve all been waiting for Its time to lay your brand-new turf!

As you roll out your gorgeous new lawn, be careful not to let it drag across your freshly prepared base. We recommend letting grass sit in the sun for 30-60 minutes to expand. Make sure that the blades and stitch patterns are all facing the same way. Ignoring this would result in a poor looking lawn.

Use a carpet kicker to stretch and maneuver the turf into place.

Next, use a box cutter to fit your new lawn to the unique shape of your yard. Leave a quarter to half an inch of turf over the border to help with finishing touches.

Then secure the seams using seam tape and glue. Correctly fitting the seams together is essential to creating a pristine, natural looking yard. Make sure that the blades of each piece of turf are oriented the same way, and that space in between stitch rows match.

Artificial Grass Installation For Diy

There are the 12 steps to installing artificial grass. If you want your lawn to look professional, have a proper drainage, and last you for the next twenty plus years, take every step with care. You will find we offer all the tools needed for proper installation to help our DIY customers. We also make sure to include a pdf copy of these instructions with all DIY orders.

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Can You Install Turf On Your Own

Yet, many homeowners have a strict budget allotted to renovations and remodeling the installation of artificial grass just may not make the cut. Just as with any home improvement project, DIY is a way to significantly reduce the overall cost of your turf, and, yes, you absolutely can install the grass yourself.

How Much Does Artificial Turf Cost

The national average cost of installing artificial grass is $12.33 per square foot. Keep in mind that total costs may vary depending on the turfs brand and your yards size. These estimates include installation and materials.

• National average cost: $12.33
• High end: $18.75

For a 500-square-foot yard, homeowners typically spend an average of $6,165 or between $3,104 and $7,245 for labor and materials to install artificial grass. Materials include the artificial turf itself, infill, edging, adhesives, and a weed barrier.

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How To Maintain The Synthetic Turf

Like other outdoor sports equipment, to maintain the synthetic turf, sweep and hose it off regularly or follow the manufacturers directions. Some manufacturers recommend pouring sand over the turf and sweeping it into the turf to help hold it in place.

A backyard putting green is a great way to have fun at home. Go to the Home Depot for all the materials and landscaping supplies you need to build your own. The Home Depot also delivers online orders so you’ll have materials on hand when you’re ready to start your project.

Diy Artificial Turf Installation

If youre interested in saving a buck or two, you might attempt to install your new turf yourself. But installing artificial turf isnt as easy as rolling a carpet out. Its best to leave the installation process to trained professionals.

Artificial turf installation is physically taxing. What can take the pros a few days to install might take you weeks.

The process of installing artificial turf involves:

• Taking precise measurements.
• Applying multiple layers of materials.
• Compacting the ground.

First, youll need to remove and dispose of any material that makes up your surface. That might be natural grass or even a patch of gravel. Once the land is bare, youll need to slope the ground to ensure proper drainage.

Next, you would compact the ground, apply the base material that holds the artificial turf steady, compact the ground again, and then secure a geotextile weed suppressor.

Finally, you would apply the turf, trim the edges, nail it down, and then add the infill material that weighs down the turf and supports the blades.

Here are five reasons why you should stick to the pros instead of attempting a DIY artificial turf project:

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