As one of Wiltshire’s leading landscaping companies, we routinely field questions on natural lawn turf and synthetic grass. Many clients ask for tips to prepare the ground and install their material of choice. Whether you just need a supplier, or a company to install artificial grass in Swindon, we hope this snappy article helps.

While there are parallels between laying natural lawn turf and artificial grass, there are also stark differences. Much like turf, a new artificial lawn requires adequate preparation and levelling. However, installing artificial grass arguably shares more in common with ground working jobs including patios and paving.

A Cautionary Note

Through the years our team has had to repair and replace countless botch jobs. Unfortunately this trade is rife with contractors who lack the necessary ethics or experience to execute the job properly. All too often we find “lawns” that are unlevel or that lack adequate drainage.

Be wary of contractors who’s prices are too good to be true. If you’ve chosen to undertake the job, take time to ensure every step is executed adequately for a lawn that endures.

Prepare The Ground

In the event you have an existing lawn, we’d recommend applying a weed killer (We opt for Roundup) 10 -14 days in advance of the job. At this stage, you can use a rotavator or turf cutter to strip your old lawn and proceed to stage 2; Levelling the ground.

Level

Once the old lawn and debris have been stripped away, it’s vital to level the ground and ensure the new surface is protected against any new vegetation growing.

While some landscapers are happy to rake the surface, others use a compactor to make sure the level is absolutely right. Many landscapers like to finish by installing a weed membrane. This will the safeguard the area for years to come.

Installation

Artificial rolls come in varying widths and pile heights. We’d recommend using knee pads and a carpet knife as you carefully cut the area. As you cut the rolls, you should allow an extra 1/2 an inch to overlap the border. At this stage you’ll need tape and glue to hold in place.

Allow to set for 15-20 minutes now lock the rolls in with nails and a hammer every 6 inches.

Artificial Grass

Once the artificial grass is fitted, it’s time to apply a brush with stiff bristles and close the show. Brushing will allow the seams to fade and your new lawn to achieve a more natural appearance. We’d recommend repeating this step every quarter.

Should you wish to hire professional artificial lawn fitters in Swindon and Wiltshire, Turf Direct can help. Our team has installed thousands of natural and artificial lawns in the region. Check out our gallery and reviews for more information. Contact us with your queries or an in person quote.