Many of us want a beautiful and lush yard. However, keeping it attractive and lively is time-consuming and involves plenty of work and regular maintenance. Installing STONEarch artificial turf instead of natural grass can totally change your perception of lawn care. It has plenty of advantages similar to what natural grass can offer, but with fewer upkeep requirements.

The installation can be a bit tricky, especially when laying them between pavers. However, your yard will look appealing and green for many years with minimal maintenance. Laying fake grass in between natural stones, like granite or travertine, can enhance the beauty of your landscape project. You will be able to create a visual interest in your outdoor space. Using artificial as a frame will make your natural stone inlays look like art.

How to Install Synthetic Turf with Natural Stone Inlays

Installing artificial turf with natural stone inlays is similar to turf lawn installation. However, there are some vital differences that you need to take into account. In most cases, the first step is to have your hardscape in place, then install the STONEarch synthetic turf around it. Laying your turf first before the pavers may likely damage it.

Step 1: Only use high-quality artificial turf

Artificial grass is available in several types and designed for various purposes. For instance, a putting turf has a stiff and short pile to allow golf balls. This feature ensures minimal resistance when golf balls roll across its surface. Likewise, it provides traction to ensure people don’t slip.

Meanwhile, turf for landscaping is comparable to natural grass. Its pile is longer and has tuft fibers in several tones of browns and greens to look like the varying shades of grass blades. You can contact us to know which kind is suitable for your needs. Our quality of STONEarch Artificial Grass is thick and dense, with a blend of light-medium-dark green strands to replicate the true look and feel of real grass.

Step 2: Prepare the surface area

Before installing the artificial turf, plan out and clean the area you will cover. Remove debris using a garden rake, and make sure all water pipes and cables are below digging depth. There should not be any obstructions once you start your landscaping project.

Step 3: Sub-base installation

Sub-base is essential when installing synthetic grass in your backyard since it helps with proper drainage. However, compacting it can be challenging when installing between stone inlays. You may use a hand tamp as long as it can fit within the margins. If not, you may use a brick.

Lay the sub-base between the natural stone inlays. As a rule of thumb, the depth should be around 2-4 inches however may vary based on site conditions. You should always consult with a professional landscape contractor when you have any questions. Then, work on compacting the sub-base. Position the brick over your sub-base and hit it using a hammer.

Step 4: Artificial turf installation

Place sections of the artificial grass and align it over the stones. Ensure that the grain lines of all sections are lined up. Placing the turf’s grain in opposite directions will result in a disjointed-looking grass.

Let it sit on the landscape for about 1-4 hours. Doing so will enable the landscape material to settle and fit to the ribbon space. As it settles, the outline of the pavers will be visible. If there are no clear outlines, walking between the stones can help.

Step 5: Secure and cut the turf

Nail the turf into the sub-base between the stones if installing it over soil to avoid any movement as you work. Use the outline as your guide.

Use a boxcutter or sharp knife to cut around the stones. Make sure to hold it at a 45-degree angle while doing so. There should be an 1/8-inch gap between the synthetic turf and your hardscape. Anything less than this will result in the turf bunching up along the stone, while a bigger gap will make it look ill-fitting.

Once all sections are secure, make an incision between the stone’s edge and the turf. Follow the hardscape’s edge and cut the grass slowly.

Step 6: Secure and close the seams

Hiding the seam can make a difference on the end result of your project.

Once all the sections are cut, check and trim any excess edges. Ensure there are no visible gaps and everything lines up perfectly. Use a seam tape and glue to secure the seams. Remove all the nails and proceed with the infill process.

Step 7: Infill

After you’re done with the turf trimming, securing, aligning, and joining, it’s time for the infill installation and other final touches.

Infill is usually a fine sediment, like rubber, cork, or sand. Its purpose is to keep the artificial turf blades upright. On top of that, it cools down your lawn and ensures proper drainage. Infill in turf is vital since it helps with its upkeep and longevity.

Put a layer of infill between the hardscape. Do this carefully and slowly. Then, use a stiff brush or rake to brush the fibers upright. Avoid raking or brushing excessively to prevent the edges from lifting.

5 Benefits of Using Artificial Turf over Real Grass

You’re making a smart choice with our artificial turf. It’s the most suitable for your yard as it offers many convenient benefits.

1. Easy Maintenance
2. Perfect All-Year Round
3. Cost Effective
4. Eco-Friendly
5. Pet-Friendly

Easy Maintenance

It’s a very convenient alternative since it does not need too much care. Unlike natural grass, you don’t mow, fertilize, and water it. The most you need to do is to hose it down once every couple of weeks to get rid of litter, debris, and dust build-up. That means you’ll have more time to spend on other important things or enjoy your garden instead of mowing the lawn.

Perfect All-Year-Round

Maintaining a pristine natural lawn means hard work. All your effort during springtime can easily go down the drain once summer rears its ugly head and your beautiful grass succumbs to drought.

You don’t have to deal with this issue with synthetic grass. Regardless of the weather, it will always look aesthetically pleasing. Sunlight, rain, or heavy snow will not ruin its good looks. It will stay neat and green the entire year.

Cost-Effective

If you add up the cost of maintaining natural grass over time, from weed killers and grass feed to rakes and lawn mowers, it becomes costly. On the other hand, you’ll only need water and detergent to clean synthetic turf in its entire lifespan, making it more cost-effective.

Eco-Friendly

Maintaining synthetic grass requires less water. You only need to give it a good rinse every now and then to remove debris build-up. Hence, it significantly lowers water wastage.

Lawn mowers emit carbon monoxide, which is dangerous to your body and the atmosphere. On the other hand, fertilizers contribute to water pollution. Switching to fake grass means you no longer have to use pesticides and chemicals that harm the environment.

Pet-Friendly

Do you have pets that love to spoil and dig up your garden? Perhaps it’s time to consider switching to artificial turf. It is the more hygienic option since most are treated with polyethylene, making them impervious to discolouration stains.

Furthermore, it is easier to clean, and urine and pet litter will not affect it. All you need is water and detergent to clean any animal waste. Likewise, they are durable, so you have a problem with your four-legged friend chewing or digging on it. You’ll also find that your fur baby will enjoy playing on it as much as the real grass.