Artificial grass is a popular choice for home and business owners who want to upgrade the look of their lawn.
The problem is that there are several ways of attaching it to the ground, and not all of them work well in every situation.
The most common way of attaching artificial grass is by using a staple gun or nails, but if you don’t get the method right then your new lawn will start coming up after only a few days. So here’s an overview on how to attach artificial grass:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Helps reduce stress and anxiety |
| Promotes emotional health |
| Helps improve sleep |
| Reduces symptoms of depression |
| Improves focus and concentration |
| Enhances feelings of compassion and self-awareness |
| Decreases blood pressure and improves heart health |
| Provides an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth |
| Can be practiced anywhere, anytime with no equipment |
| Reduces levels of cortisol, the “stress hormone” in the body |
Nail It
Use a hammer and nails. If you’re going to use a nail gun, you can skip this step. The next few sections are all about using a hammer and nails with an air compressor.
Attach one sleeper at a time. You don’t want to put down too much water or glue on the sleepers as it will pool underneath them and cause them to sink in over time (this is called “sagging”).
Use enough water/glue mix so that when it dries there will be just enough moisture present for your artificial grass to stick but not so much that it pools under the sleepers or spills out from around their edges.
Make sure each sleeper is seated securely on top of its location before moving on to the next one.
When installing artificial grass, it’s important to have the proper guidance to ensure its long-lasting beauty. Our landscape advice guide provides tips on the different approaches to artificial grass installation, along with helpful practices to make the installation process go more smoothly.
Screw It
Use a screwdriver to make holes in the sleepers and then use screws to attach the artificial grass. This is how most people do it, but you can use nails if you prefer.
If you don’t have power tools, hammer several nails into each sleeper along its length at an angle.
Then pull up on them while holding down an end of your artificial turf so that some of it lifts off the ground; repeat this process all around each sleeper until you’ve got enough overlapping bits of turf hanging off them so that they’ll stay in place once installed (you’ll probably need about 10).
Fastening Artificial Grass with Screws vs. Nails
| Fastener Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Screws | Provides stronger and more secure attachment, less likely to come loose over time, ideal for high-traffic areas or windy locations | Requires pre-drilling of holes in sleeper, requires a drill or screwdriver tool, labor-intensive |
| Nails | Less labor-intensive, requires no pre-drilling of holes, good for areas with low traffic | Less secure attachment, can come loose over time, prone to rusting and corrosion, may cause damage to sleepers |
Note: This table compares the advantages and disadvantages of using screws vs. nails as fasteners when attaching artificial grass to sleepers.
Glue It
All that’s left to do is to glue it down – but you need to make sure you’re using the right glue for the job.
Glues designed for use with sleepers are available, and they’ll be labelled as such. They will also indicate they’re suitable for artificial grass.
Before applying any adhesive, give yourself time to read through the instructions – some glues need a 24-hour drying period before being walked on, while others can be used immediately after application.
To ensure that artificial grass stays securely in place, it is important to properly anchor it to the ground. Our guide provides tips on the materials and tools necessary for proper anchoring, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to complete the process.
Staple It
A staple gun is a great tool for attaching artificial grass to sleepers. If you want your grass to be invisible and not noticeable, you’ll need to use staples that are around 2mm thick (0.08 inches).
Place them in a straight line, making sure they’re evenly spaced out and even with each other so they don’t show up too much on the surface of your sleeper.
Use a hammer to drive them into the sleeper’s timber just above where you’ve laid down your turf, ensuring the staples aren’t visible when looking at the finished job from eye level.
Make sure you remove any excess staples when finished with this part of the process so that they don’t get in anyone’s way later on down the track!
Attaching Artificial Grass with Staples
| Staple Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| 2mm Thick Staples | Provide low profile installation, staples are not obviously visible, easy to install, good for large areas | May require more staples to provide adequate attachment, can allow grass edges to lift over time |
| 4-6mm Thick Staples | More secure attachment, less likely to come loose over time, better for high traffic areas, high winds, or with heavier materials | Thicker staples may be visible, require significant force to be driven into wood, may cause splitting or cracking of wood sleepers |
Note: This table compares the advantages and disadvantages of using 2mm thick and 4-6mm thick staples to attach artificial grass to sleepers.
Use Hog Rings
Hog rings are a great choice if you want to attach fake grass to sleepers. They are easy to use, and can be used in many industries.
Hog rings are made of steel, and have two ends; one end has a clip and the other end has a ring.
The ring is placed through the sleeper, then pushed through the clip until it clicks into place. This locks them together securely so that your new lawn won’t move around or come undone when it gets wet.
If you’re planning to attach artificial grass to a concrete surface, it is important to follow proper guidelines to avoid any problems down the line. Our attaching artificial grass to concrete guide provides helpful tips and essential information about the process, including best practices and recommended tools to make the process easier.
Cable Ties
Cable ties are a great way to secure the artificial grass mat to sleepers. They’re easy to use, cheap and can be removed without damaging the sleeper or backing.
The most common types of cable ties are plastic coated steel wire with an integral lock or spring-loaded sleeve that locks into place when twisted together.
These are available from hardware stores in a variety of lengths (usually 30cm or metre) and as solid or stranded wire versions.
You want heavy duty versions for this application because you’ll be attaching large amounts of weight onto your sleeper so it needs something substantial enough not to snap under pressure!
The best type of cable tie is one that has an integral lock which means they don’t use any extra pieces like clips etc; this makes them very convenient since you don’t have to keep track off all those extra parts if one breaks off somewhere along the way causing problems later on down track when trying take apart everything again (which happens!).
Velcro For Small Areas
You can use velcro for small areas, like around trees or fences. The idea is to put the sticky-backed velcro on your artificial grass and then attach the other side of it on to your sleepers.
Make sure that they’re attached firmly so they don’t move around too much and tear off when you take your lawnmower over them.
Maintaining the appearance of your artificial grass requires regular brushing to keep the fibers standing upright. Check out our easy guide for tips on the types of brushes to use, frequency of brushing, and the proper technique to help maintain a perfect looking lawn.
Strut The Sleeper
The next step is to place the steel struts in position and prepare them for attaching. If you’re using sleeper sleepers, drill holes into the base of each sleeper by placing them on a hard surface and drilling through from underneath.
Once you have done this, place one end of your steel struts over the sleeper so that it sits flush with your artificial grass turf.
You will then need to use screws to attach these two pieces together from underneath – this should secure both parts together so that they do not move around or fall apart when people walk on them.
Use A Foot To Hold It In Place!
If you’re going to be installing artificial lawn on top of sleepers, you’ll need to put the sleeper into the ground first.
This can be done by hand or with a hammer, but either way it’s a lot easier if you use an extra foot to hold it in place while hammering.
If you don’t want to hammer your own nail into your foot (and who does?), there are other options for holding things down! For example:
Use a board as a fulcrum so that one end is on the sleeper and the other end digs into the ground. Then hammer away at this fulcrum until your sleeper is well-seated in its new home.
Properly preparing the base surface of your artificial grass installation can make all the difference in its longevity and overall health. Our pro tips guide provides essential information on which materials to use and how to properly prepare them, as well as tips to ensure a smooth, level, and long-lasting artificial grass installation.
Velcro Strips For Large Areas
For larger areas, it’s often easier to use velcro strips. These have an adhesive on both sides and can be cut to size with scissors.
They’re also very easy to apply, as you simply stick one side down and then press the other against it. You’ll find them in most hardware stores or online shops like Amazon.
The first thing you need to do is measure out your sleeper so that you know how much tape you’ll need for each side.
Once again, it’s important that your measurement is accurate — if not, there’s a chance that the grass will come loose when someone stands on it or weather conditions change after installation!
If necessary, add a little extra length onto each end just in case – but don’t make things too long because this makes laying out more difficult later on.
Cross-Linking Polyethylene (Xlpe) Sheets
Cross-linking polyethylene (XLPE) sheets are used to attach artificial grass to sleepers and other surfaces.
The benefits of using XLPE sheets include their resistance to UV degradation, due to a cross-linked polymer structure.
This means they can withstand outdoor conditions for a long time without losing their flexibility or strength. Cross-linked PE is also resistant to water absorption, which makes it ideal for use in wet environments such as around swimming pools.
When installing artificial grass on a sports field or playground surface, it’s essential that you choose an adhesive that will provide sufficient grip between the turf and its underlying material and even more so when working with slippery materials like rubber crumb or sand infill layers.
If your chosen adhesive isn’t strong enough then there’s a chance that either your runner could get dislodged from its position (resulting in higher levels of maintenance) or worse still.
Double-Sided Tape Or Duct Tape
To attach your artificial grass to sleepers, you’ll want to use some sort of tape that is double-sided.
This will allow the grass to stick to both the bottom and top layers of the sleeper. You can use duct tape or double-sided carpet tape (the latter being stronger).
If you’re using a product that’s not double-sided, then it’s important that both sides of your grass are smooth so they don’t get stuck in between the cracks of wood slats in your sleepers.
If you’re attaching new carpet on top of old carpet or if your existing carpet has been there for awhile and isn’t too sturdy anymore, then we recommend using hardwood flooring nails instead of screws because they’re easier to install without damaging other surfaces nearby like walls or floors below them.
Conclusion
The good news is that attaching artificial grass to sleepers is not as difficult as it may seem. There are a number of options available, so there’s bound to be one or two that work for your situation.
The key is making sure you use enough force when attaching it so that the material stays in place and doesn’t slip over time.
Once you have chosen your method of attachment, just take your time and make sure everything lines up properly before proceeding with any further steps!
Further reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on artificial grass installation:
AWBS: How to Install Artificial Grass – AWBS offers an easy-to-follow guide with step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the surface, lay and fix the artificial turf in place, and add the finishing touches for a perfect installation.
Perfect Grass: How to Install Artificial Grass on a Slope – This guide offers insights into how to perfectly install artificial grass on slopes, with tips on measuring, preparing, and securing the surface to ensure a seamless finish.
NeoGrass: 6 Types of Edging System for Artificial Grass – This guide is helpful for those who want to understand more about the various types of edging systems for articial grass, and the benefits of using them.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about artificial grass installation:
What is the best surface for artificial grass installation?
The best surface for artificial grass installation is one that is level, durable, and able to drain water quickly. The most popular materials used for the base layer include crushed stone, grit, sand, and sub-base aggregates.
How do you maintain artificial grass?
Maintaining artificial grass is relatively easy. You should brush the grass regularly to keep it looking fluffy and upright. Use a leaf blower or a garden vacuum to remove debris such as leaves and twigs. You might also need to hose the lawn down occasionally to get rid of dust or pet hair.
Can I install artificial grass on a slope?
Yes. You can install artificial grass on a slope using different techniques such as fixing it on batons, creating terraces or using an adhesive. Certain companies offer bespoke artificial grass designed specifically for slopes.
What are the benefits of using an edging system for artificial grass?
An edging system helps prevent the edges of the grass from fraying or wearing, and stops dirt and debris from migrating into the artificial grass from the outside. An edging system will also help to create a barrier around the perimeter of the lawn.
Is it possible to install artificial grass indoors?
Yes! Artificial grass doesn’t require natural light or soil, which makes it a perfect fit for indoor spaces. You can create interesting indoor areas with artificial grass such as children’s play areas, cosy reading nooks or stylish feature walls.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m here to help you with your home-maintenance needs. Whether it’s building a better yard or just trying to fix a garden—I can show you how.
