There are many ways to have artificial grass installed, but what is the absolute cheapest way to install artificial grass? Learn more.
If you’re looking to bring an end to the ongoing maintenance that natural grass needs, artificial grass could be a game-changer for you. Are you running a sports club, or looking to upgrade your school sports fields? Artificial grass is a sound investment.
That said, many of us baulk at the initial installation cost of artificial grass. Many people ask, ‘What’s the cheapest way to install artificial grass? How can I get the cheapest artificial grass near me?’
It’s going to involve a lot of hard work – but we know you’re up for it! Read on for how to install artificial grass on a budget.
The Process of Artificial Grass Installation
Firstly, you will need to purchase your artificial grass. There are different types available, depending on the sport or your landscaping needs. Artificial grass cost will vary depending on the application.
For a start, the process of installing artificial grass is a bit more involved than just ripping up turf and laying it. In fact, you cannot lay artificial grass directly onto the soil.
This is the process for installing a sports field, which is more involved than home landscaping.
Preparing the Substrate
You’re going to need to thoroughly prepare the ground. Artificial grass allows water to drain through it. But you need to provide a substrate that will then allow the water to drain away easily.
A suitable substrate for artificial grass needs to be free-draining, level, and compact.
Laying the Turf
Once you’ve prepared the ground, you can then roll out your turf. Allow 3-8mm overlap.
You need to ensure that you lay the rolls evenly and allow them time to relax. This will take up to 24 hours.
The next stage is to stretch the grass. This needs to be done from both ends and requires specialist equipment. The goal is to lay the artificial grass evenly, with no kinks, bends, or folds.
Seaming the Artificial Grass
You now need to seam the stretches of artificial grass. You will need to apply a special adhesive to a wide tape along the seam and bring both sides together. The gap between the two should be no more than 3mm.
Use a roller to smooth out the seam. Then cover the seam with a line of bricks to dry. Function lines also need to be laid and seemed at this point.
Final Touches
Finally, you need to evenly spread a layer of dry silica sand over the artificial grass. Use a professional spreading machine to get an even result. Brush this with stiff brushes to work the sand into the grass.
How to Save Money on Artificial Grass Installation
The way to save money on installing artificial turf grass is to do as much of the prep work and installation yourself. You can also try to find the best deals on the materials you need to reduce the costs still further.
You also need to factor in waste costs. You will need to excavate a lot of soil to lay the substrate and will need to pay to dispose of that.
Saving Money on the Artificial Grass
Shop around to get the best deal possible on artificial grass. Remember, there are different types for different applications. They will wear at different rates, so don’t necessarily choose the cheapest deal you can get.
The best artificial grass is the one that is right for your needs. This is the one that will last the longest and be the safest.
Saving Money on Substrate Installation
To lay a substrate, you will need to remove at least 20mm of soil. If drainage is poor, consider taking out an extra 30mm. You can save money by hiring an excavator and removing the soil yourself, or with your current maintenance crew.
Save money by trying to repurpose this soil within the facility. This will reduce waste costs.
Remember, though, that removing the soil can’t be done willy-nilly. The end result needs to be as level as possible. Take great care, or a lot of extra time will be taken up correcting the levels.
Saving Money on Substrate Materials
The ground beneath your pitch will naturally expand and contract through the year. Your goal is to lay a substrate that will stay level and not cause the turf to wrinkle.
Dust granite stone is the best material for the job. The problem is, it can be expensive. You can work around this by using a cheaper alternative for the subbase and use dust granite stone for the top 10mm or so.
It’s worth getting expert guidance on this. Depending on the local climate, particularly rainfall levels, it may be unwise to skimp on the granite. Discuss this with a specialist contractor.
Lay the Grass Carefully
Carefully plan how many rolls you need, and then take care during installation. Careful preparation can reduce the amount of trimming you need to do, which cuts down on waste. This will help you to save money.
Why Choose Professional Artificial Grass Installation
As we’ve seen, it is possible to cut costs on artificial grass installation. It takes a lot of elbow grease, but if you know what you’re doing, it is possible to do it.
The fact is though, especially if you’re working in a professional setting, a DIY job is too big a risk to take. A football pitch or tennis court needs to be perfect. That’s why it’s a false economy to go it alone.
Professional installers have the equipment and the experience to complete the job to a high standard. This will mean fewer maintenance costs over time and much less chance of things going wrong.
From assessment to the finishing touches, they’ll take care of the whole process. All you’ll have to do is get on with enjoying the end result.
Choose Multiturf Sport for Your Artificial Grass Installation
Artificial grass is the perfect solution for sports facilities around the country. It can dramatically reduce maintenance costs. Great in all weather, you won’t regret making the switch.
Making the change begins with choosing a great contractor. At Multiturf Sport, we’ve got the products and the experience to deliver the pitch you want.
Contact us today to find out how we can make your idea a reality.