Is artificial grass easy to install?

Should I do it myself or hire a professional?

For many customers considering artificial turf, the first question that often comes to mind is: "Is it easy to install? Can I do it myself?" This is a very practical question. Simply put, for a small, flat yard, DIY installation of artificial turf is a project that can be done on a weekend. However, for large areas, irregular terrain, or high-requirement commercial sports fields, professional installation is a wise investment to ensure long-term effectiveness and value.

Why Choose Artificial Turf?

Artificial turf has become a popular choice for garden landscaping, sports venues, and commercial spaces due to its ease of installation and low maintenance costs. Compared to natural grass, artificial turf does not require waiting for its growth cycle, is not limited by seasons or weather, and its installation process is simple and efficient.

Say Goodbye to Tedious Lawn Planting and Maintenance

Natural lawns require a series of maintenance tasks, including sowing, fertilizing, and watering, and take a long growth cycle to reach a stable state. Artificial turf, on the other hand, eliminates the need to wait for seeds to germinate; it is laid directly on the ground and requires less frequent maintenance, significantly saving time and effort. For those who want to quickly create green landscapes or sports fields, artificial turf is a more ideal choice.

Unrestricted by Season and Climate

The planting of natural lawns is greatly affected by climate conditions. Extremely cold or hot weather can prevent seeds from germinating properly. Artificial turf, however, can be installed year-round, unaffected by temperature and humidity, and maintains stable performance even in extreme climates. Therefore, artificial turf is particularly suitable for projects requiring rapid construction, such as sports fields, commercial landscapes, and home gardens.

Suitable for Various Ground Types

The installation of artificial turf is not limited by ground type and can be laid on various materials such as soil, cement, tile, wood flooring, and even rooftops. As long as the foundation is properly prepared, artificial turf can maintain good performance. This flexibility makes it widely used in urban landscapes, parks, playgrounds, balconies, and rooftop gardens.

Self-installable, saving labor costs

For small spaces, such as home backyards or balconies, users can install artificial turf themselves without hiring a professional team. Many convenient DIY installation tools and tutorials are available on the market, making it easy for individual users to lay the turf. For large spaces, such as sports fields or commercial plazas, although a professional installation team may be needed, the overall construction time is still shorter than that of natural grass, thus reducing labor costs.

Easy maintenance, lower long-term costs

Artificial turf requires almost no additional maintenance after installation; simply cleaning fallen leaves and dust regularly is enough to maintain its appearance and functionality. In contrast, natural grass requires long-term investment, such as mowing, watering, and fertilizing. In the long run, artificial turf not only saves maintenance time but also reduces water, electricity, and labor costs, making it more economical.

What Factors Affect the Installation Difficulty of Artificial Turf?

Before deciding to install it yourself, it’s worth understanding the following factors that influence the installation process to determine whether to DIY or hire professionals. The difficulty mainly depends on three key factors—grasp these, and you’ll be able to judge how "hard" your laying project will be.

1. Site Size and Shape

Small to Medium-Sized Sites (≤500㎡)

These are perfect for DIY! Examples include 10㎡ balconies, 30㎡ courtyards, and 100㎡ rooftop terraces. With 1-2 people collaborating, the installation can be completed in 1-2 weekends. Smaller sites require fewer cuts and seams, resulting in lower physical and time costs.

Large-Sized Sites (≥1000㎡)

Large-scale projects like full courtyards, standard football fields, or commercial plazas significantly increase installation complexity. They require coordinating the laying of multiple turf rolls, ensuring precise seaming and uniform subbase leveling—coupled with high physical exertion, professional teams are recommended.

Irregularly Shaped Sites

Sites with curved edges, narrow passages, or irregular corners demand more measuring and cutting, increasing difficulty. However, with a sharp utility knife and sufficient patience, even average DIY enthusiasts can handle it.

2. Subbase Conditions

The subbase for artificial turf is crucial—it directly determines whether the installation process will be smooth or troublesome.

(1) Hard and Level Surfaces (Concrete, Asphalt, Patio Tiles)

These are the easiest to install on! You can almost skip subbase preparation: simply clean dust and debris from the surface, lay a weed barrier fabric (to prevent weed growth and add cushioning), then place the artificial turf directly. Secure the edges with double-sided tape or specialized adhesive, and you’re all set.

(2) Soft and Uneven Surfaces (Soil, Natural Grass, Clay)

These require extra effort. Here’s the step-by-step process:

• First, remove existing weeds and vegetation with a shovel or lawnmower.

• Dig down 1.2-1.6 inches (3-4 cm) to make space for the subbase.

• Lay a layer of gravel or weathered rock, then compact it with a plate compactor.

• Finally, level the surface with a rake to ensure no pits or bumps.

(3) Poorly Draining Sites

If your yard is prone to waterlogging, the subbase needs a 1%-2% slope to direct water away from the house. While this adds an extra step, it’s critical for the long-term durability of the artificial turf.

3. Artificial Grass Product Type

Installation difficulty varies by turf type—some products are more DIY-friendly:

• Lightweight Leisure Turf (10-15 oz/sq yd): The best choice for DIY. Lightweight, easy to transport and cut, it’s effortless to lay—ideal for home courtyards, balconies, and similar spaces.

• Heavy-Duty Sports Turf (20-30 oz/sq yd): Denser and heavier, it may require an extra person for transportation. This type typically needs infill (quartz sand or rubber granules) to enhance stability.

• Pre-Cut/Custom-Sized Turf: Pre-cut turf for balconies or small terraces requires no cutting or seaming—unpack and lay, making it the easiest option. Custom-sized wide turf rolls reduce seams and boost installation efficiency, but require careful transportation.

DIY Installation Steps

With the right tools and following the steps, even beginners can lay artificial turf smoothly. Below is a detailed installation tutorial using a 50㎡ yard as an example.

Essential Tools

• Shovel / Lawnmower (for removing existing vegetation)
• Rake (for leveling the subbase)
• Plate compactor (manual tamper can be used as a substitute for small areas)
• Utility knife (sharp blade ensures clean cuts)
• Tape measure + Chalk line (for precise measurement and marking)
• Seaming tape + Artificial turf adhesive (for joining turf rolls)
• U-shaped stakes (for securing turf edges)
• Brush (for grooming turf fibers + spreading infill materials)

1. Site Preparation

First, use a shovel to remove weeds, stones, tree roots, and other debris from the site, then roughly level the ground. For large areas of natural grass, you can use a lawnmower to cut the grass as short as possible, or use a sod cutter to strip the sod in one go for higher efficiency. The cleaned ground should be free of obvious bumps and depressions.

2. Subbase Construction

Dig down to a depth of 1.2-1.6 inches (3-4 cm), then evenly spread a layer of gravel 0.8-1.2 inches (2-3 cm) thick. Next, compact the gravel repeatedly with a plate compactor until the subbase is firm and level. This step is crucial to prevent the turf from wrinkling or waterlogging later. For small areas without a plate compactor, you can use a heavy wooden board and press down manually repeatedly to achieve a similar effect.

3. Laying Weed Barrier Fabric

Lay the weed barrier fabric flat on the compacted subbase, overlapping adjacent pieces by 2-4 inches (5-10 cm). Secure the fabric with U-shaped stakes to prevent shifting. The weed barrier’s role is to block weeds from the soil, preventing them from piercing the artificial turf while also enhancing drainage.

4. Laying Artificial Turf

Unroll the artificial turf flat on the weed barrier, ensuring all turf fibers face the same direction—this guarantees a uniform and natural visual effect. The edges of the turf should extend approximately 2 inches (5 cm) beyond the actual site boundaries to allow for trimming later. Once laid, place heavy objects along the edges to let the turf naturally relax, eliminating wrinkles caused by curling during transportation.

5. Seaming and Securing

If the site width exceeds the turf roll width, seaming is required:

• Align the edges of the two turf pieces to be joined.

• Place seaming tape underneath the joint, then evenly apply specialized adhesive to the tape.

• Press the turf firmly onto the tape to ensure a tight, seamless bond.

After seaming, use a utility knife to trim off excess turf edges. Secure the perimeter of the turf with U-shaped stakes, placing one every 12 inches (30 cm), and spacing them more closely at corners to prevent edge lifting.

6. Spreading Infill and Grooming Fibers

• For leisure turf: Directly use a brush to groom the fibers, lifting any flat strands to make them stand upright.

• For sports turf: First, evenly spread a layer of quartz sand, then use a brush to work the sand down to the base of the fibers (this stabilizes the turf). Next, spread a layer of rubber granules to further enhance foot feel and cushioning performance.

After infill application, give the entire turf a final grooming—your artificial turf installation is complete!

3 Key Tips for Successful Installation

Base Layer Must Be Compacted and Leveled

This is the most crucial step! A soft, uneven base layer will easily cause the lawn to wrinkle, sink, and even accumulate water later. For small areas, use a manual tamping pad; for large areas, rent a plate compactor. It's better to spend more time compacting than to rush the process.

Unified Grass Strand Direction

Pay close attention to the direction of the grass strands during installation. All turf rolls must be laid in the same direction. Inconsistent directions will result in uneven stripes, severely affecting the appearance.

Solid Edge Fixation

Secure the lawn edges tightly with U-shaped nails, especially near roads and flower beds, to prevent wind or trampling from causing the edges to lift. Additionally, use a sharp utility knife to cut the edges cleanly for better splicing and fixing.

When should you choose professional installation without hesitation?

Choosing a professional team is a safer and more sustainable option in the following situations:

• Large areas or complex terrain: Large-area installations require extremely flat subgrades; slopes and irregular shapes demand advanced cutting and splicing techniques.

• High-frequency use or professional venues: Areas such as backyard sports areas, pet play areas, commercial landscaping, or croquet courts require a more robust foundation and professional installation to withstand high loads.

• Seeking perfect results and long-term peace of mind: If you don't want to see any seams, unevenness, or drainage problems, then choosing professional installation with a warranty provides peace of mind.

• Limited time and energy: Professional teams are equipped with specialized tools and skilled workers, making them far more efficient than DIY.

FAQ

1. Can I lay artificial turf myself with absolutely no DIY experience?

Absolutely! As long as you strictly follow the steps above, especially ensuring the base layer is compacted and leveled, even beginners can succeed on their first try. It's recommended to watch a few installation tutorial videos before starting to familiarize yourself with the process and precautions.

2. How long after installation can I use the artificial turf?

If it's glued together, it can be used after the glue has fully cured (2-4 hours). If it's a small area of ​​turf that doesn't require splicing, you can use it immediately after laying it and combing out the grass fibers.

3. Can artificial turf be installed on balconies and roofs? Will it leak?

Absolutely! Balconies and roofs are hard, flat surfaces, making installation very simple. As long as drainage holes are pre-drilled during installation, or you choose artificial turf with drainage holes, you don't need to worry about water accumulation or leaks. Furthermore, artificial turf is lightweight and won't put too much weight on the roof.

Conclusion

The installation process of artificial turf is simple and fast, does not require tedious maintenance, is not restricted by seasons, and is suitable for a variety of ground and scenes. Whether it is a home courtyard, sports field or commercial landscape, artificial turf can provide a beautiful, durable and economical solution. For those who want to quickly have a high-quality lawn but do not want to spend too much time and energy on maintenance, artificial turf is undoubtedly an ideal choice.