Pittsburgh Synthetic Turf Installation Process
You might be considering if you could DIY install synthetic grass yourself. Yes, it is possible, however it is a difficult process for even the most seasoned DIY enthusiasts. To have an install look beautiful, it needs precision equipment that is pricey, and not having it, it will require you to spend more time than you likely like to spend installing it. Additionally, you might void any warranties that the artificial grass might have. Here is what you have to learn about synthetic turf installation.
Why Have the Pros Do It?
Whether you’re swapping just a part of your grass or all the grass in your yard, getting turf professionals to install your synthetic turf will save you time, money, and hassle. Plus, it will be more beautiful .
Save Time & Money
No matter how small of a project you think installing artificial turf yourself will be, it can promptly change into a bigger effort than you planned. Have you ever took on a DIY project, only to visit the hardware store three times for tools and supplies you didn’t think you needed? Tools you might only ever use only once! Now and then our expectations don’t match the outcome of the project and can end up with multiple more days of work than expected. Getting artificial turf installed professionally will help you prevent the bother and save money.
To install synthetic grass properly, the existing surface has to be removed, the soil has to be leveled, crushed aggregate must be added, then adding a pad, placing and securing the turf, and finally adding infill to provide that organic look. All this effort requires very particular knowledge and tools to prevent edges that peel up or bunching in the middle.
Complex Landscape
Perfectly level ground is hard to find, and a lot of property owners can testify to this truth. Being able to sink a shovel into the ground without hitting rocks is uncommon. A lot of people in Pittsburgh must work with soil which is dense clay or packed with roots and rocks. Just digging alone can be hard work.
For years, we’ve encountered a lot of difficulties on our installations, like irrigation lines, stumps, or large boulders that require heavy excavators to remove. Excavation can produce a huge amount of dirt you might not need, so you’ll have to have this dirt towed out. A pro turf installer will prepare all this for you, so you don’t have to be concerned about it.
Large Areas
When turf is installed on a huge area, seaming is debatably the most challenging thing to get correct. Seaming is the procedure of blending two or more pieces of synthetic grass surfaces together. Much like installing and seaming carpet, the seams will look bad if not done correctly.
One little oversight at the start of covering a large surface can throw off the entire project. Consider rolling a piece of paper — if you don’t get the alignment right, it’ll look awful. Despite that, turf cannot be tapped on a table to even it out like with a bad roll of paper. A professional synthetic turf installer should possess years of knowledge and will ensure everything appears terrific before they’re done.
How We Install Synthetic Grass
At Last Lawn, we believe every project is special — cause it is! Shawgrass products are designed to provide the look of organic grass and performance characteristics that offer the greatest durability.
Here’s how our synthetic grass installation process works.
Land Prep
First, we’ll begin with excavating. Considering your scenario, we will remove any existing boulders, rocks, grass, or roots in the area. Then our team will ensure the surface is completely leveled for the best outcome.
Forming the Base
A base layer of crushed aggregate will be added on the freshly evened-off ground. This crushed aggregate can be watered down and shaped to make the best available foundation that will be pliant underfoot.
Adding Cushioning
Once the aggregate layer is added, a cushioning pad is laid down to offer the turf a fine springy feel. If you want to install a play area, we utilize a specific cushioning that is PEMA Certified to make any trips on the grass less severe. This cushioning provides the feel of traditional grass.
Installing Turf Surface
Now that the cushion is laid, it’s time to place the turf itself. The synthetic turf will be laid and affixed with galvanized nails. The seams will be worked out so that they are virtually hidden, too.
Placing Infill & Rolling
After the artificial turf is secured, we install the infill to the surface. The infill ensures all the turf blades stand Straight and stop them from laying flat. Our most common infill is silica sand due to the fact it’s lasting and inexpensive. In the end, the tops of the blades are rolled to give the effect of real crooked grass.