How to install artificial grass- Installing artificial grass is one of the most rewarding DIY projects you can tackle in your backyard — and with the right preparation, it’s well within reach for most homeowners. Whether you’re replacing a patchy lawn, creating a low-maintenance play area, or transforming a courtyard, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
How to Install Artificial Grass, What You’ll Need
- Artificial grass (measure your area carefully and add 10% for waste)
- Geotextile weed barrier fabric (140gsm recommended)
- Compactable base material (road base or decomposed granite)
- Sharp utility knife or turf cutter
- Straight edge or chalk line
- Power plate compactor (available from hire shops)
- Lawn rake or stiff broom
- U-pins or nails for securing edges
- Jointing tape (if joining two pieces)
Step 1: Measure and Plan Your Area
Before ordering anything, measure your area carefully. Sketch it out on paper and note any irregular shapes, garden beds, or obstacles like trees and posts. Artificial grass comes in rolls — typically 2 metres or 4 metres wide — so plan your layout to minimise joins. Where joins are unavoidable, make sure they run in the same direction as the grass pile (the direction the blades naturally lean) so they’re less visible.
Order around 10% more than your measured area to allow for cuts and waste. It’s far better to have a little extra than to run short mid-installation.
Step 2: Prepare the Ground
Good ground preparation is the most important part of the whole job. A poorly prepared base will lead to uneven surfaces, drainage problems, and a lawn that doesn’t last.
Start by removing all existing grass, weeds, and vegetation. Dig down approximately 75–100mm to allow room for your base layer. If you have existing soil, make sure it’s firm and relatively level. Any soft spots or areas that hold water should be addressed now — fill them with compactable material and compact thoroughly.
Step 3: Lay Your Geotextile Fabric
Once the ground is prepared, lay your geotextile weed barrier fabric across the entire area. This is a step many DIYers skip, and they almost always regret it. The fabric serves two critical purposes: it suppresses weed growth long-term, and it keeps your sub-base material separate from the native soil below, maintaining drainage and stability for years to come.
Our 140gsm Australis Geo Fabric is ideal for this application — it’s permeable enough to allow excellent drainage while being robust enough to last the life of your turf. Overlap joins by at least 200mm and use pins to hold it in place temporarily.
Step 4: Install and Compact Your Base Layer
Spread your compactable base material (road base or decomposed granite) evenly across the area to a depth of around 50–75mm. Rake it level, then use a plate compactor to compact it firmly. This is the step that gives your lawn its stability and ensures it doesn’t shift or settle unevenly over time.
Once compacted, check the level with a straight edge. The surface should be smooth and firm with a slight fall away from any structures (around 1–2% gradient) to encourage drainage.
Step 5: Roll Out and Cut Your Turf
Roll out your artificial grass across the prepared area, letting it acclimatise for at least 30 minutes before cutting — this allows the material to relax and any natural curling from the roll to settle out.
Trim to shape using a sharp utility knife, cutting from the backing side for a clean edge. Take your time with cuts around curves, garden beds, and obstacles. A sharp blade and a steady hand make all the difference — change your blade often as dull blades tear rather than cut.
If you’re joining two pieces, butt them together carefully with the pile direction matching on both pieces. Use jointing tape underneath and press firmly to secure.
Step 6: Secure the Edges
Secure the perimeter of the turf using U-pins (also called landscape staples) every 200–300mm around all edges and joins. Our 130mm heavy-duty green-top U-pins are perfect for this — the green tops stay hidden in the pile once the grass is brushed up.
Alternatively, if you have a concrete or timber border, a bead of adhesive or nailing through the backing works well.
Step 7: Brush Up the Pile
Once secured, use a stiff broom or powered brush to work against the natural pile direction, lifting the blades upright. This is what transforms your installation from “rolled out turf” to a lawn that looks full, lush, and natural.
And that’s it — your new artificial lawn is ready to enjoy. No watering, no mowing, no fertilising.
Tips for a Professional Finish
- Always cut from the backing side — never through the pile
- Keep joins out of high-traffic areas where possible
- In Queensland’s heat, do your cutting in the morning when the turf is cooler and more manageable
- Don’t rush the base preparation — it’s 80% of the job
- If in doubt about any step, call us — we’re happy to give advice over the phone
Ready to get started? Australis Grass stocks everything you need for a complete installation — turf, geo fabric, U-pins, and more — all available for same-day pickup from our Baringa warehouse on the Sunshine Coast. Give Wayne a call on 0468 700 902 or visit our Products page to browse the full range.
