Synthetic grass has become an increasingly popular choice for Las Vegas homeowners looking for a low-maintenance lawn that stays green all year long. When installed properly, artificial turf is soft, inviting, and extremely durable over years of regular use.

To install the turf properly, however, it’s important to securely anchor the synthetic grass to the surface below. With a few key installation accessories, you can properly secure artificial grass to a wide range of surfaces, including concrete, soil, wood, and more. If you’re not sure where to start, here is a quick guide to anchoring artificial turf on four common surfaces.

Anchoring Artificial Grass on Soil

Most homeowners want to install artificial grass where their natural grass once stood, and as such, soil is one of the most common surfaces on which to install wholesale turf. When installing artificial grass on soil, nails and staples are the most popular anchoring materials.

First, clear the installation area of any debris, rocks, roots and existing vegetation. Remove four inches of soil, and level the surface. Once the ground is clear, add a sub-base using synthetic turf aggregate and compact it with a vibrating plate compactor. If needed, add a weed barrier to discourage weeds from growing through your new artificial turf installation.

Once you’ve prepared the sub-base, roll out the artificial grass and make sure it fits the area properly. This is the ideal time to cut and shape the turf to fit your landscape using a box cutter. Next, secure the seams with seam tape, nails, and turf glue. Then move on to the edges of the installation area, tucking the border of your turf in and hammering five-inch galvanized nails every six inches.

If you experience any tears or holes in the artificial grass, these can be repaired by securing the synthetic grass with additional nails. You can also use U-staples instead of nails, which can be a less obtrusive option. Finally, add and disperse the infill. Infill not only weighs down the turf, helping keep it in place, but it also keeps your turf blades standing upright and looking lush year-round.

Anchoring Synthetic Turf on Wood

If you want to transform a wooden deck or floor into a vibrant turf landscape, it’s important to anchor the turf roll properly. Since there’s no soil to prepare, securing turf to wood is, luckily, more straightforward than installing on soil. The only anchoring tools you’ll need are seam tape and turf adhesive.

As always, prepare the installation area first and foremost. Clean the wood of any grease, dirt, mildew, or pollen by using a cleaning solution and scrub brush. Rinse the area well and let it dry thoroughly before beginning the synthetic turf installation.

Once the area is dry, roll out your artificial grass and cut it to fit the installation site. Ensure the joins of each turf roll are hidden by cutting S-seams instead of straight lines. Then, peel back each piece of turf and apply seam tape and turf glue to its perimeter. This process is much the same as anchoring turf to soil, but you don’t use nails or staples on a wood surface.

Once the glue has been applied to all turf pieces and they’ve been set into place, use a weighted lawn roller to ensure it’s firmly adhered. Avoid using the artificial turf for a full 24 hours to allow the glue to dry. Finally, add infill as usual for ballast.

Anchoring Artificial Turf on Concrete

Synthetic grass is ideal for transforming balconies, rooftops, and other concrete surfaces into more versatile, functional outdoor areas. Although you may be intimidated at the prospect of installing turf on a hard surface like concrete, it’s extremely similar to installing artificial grass on wood. With seam tape and turf glue, you can securely anchor your turf rolls in no time.

As with wood surfaces, clean the concrete installation area thoroughly to ensure it’s free of any debris. Use a broom and suitable cleaning solution to scrub any stains, mold, dust, and debris from the surface.

If you notice any uneven surfaces, use a self-leveling compound to repair small cracks. However, you may need to add drainage holes with a drill if you notice any water puddling on the concrete.

After you’ve done the necessary prep work, let the concrete dry completely. If desired, add the foam underlayer for additional cushioning and comfort. You can now lay out the synthetic grass, cutting it to the appropriate size and shape for your installation site. As with wood anchoring, apply seam tape and turf glue around the perimeter of each turf piece before adhering it firmly in place. Once the glue has completely dried over a 24-hour period, add infill and disperse it evenly.

Anchoring Synthetic Grass on Putting Greens

If you’re installing a synthetic turf putting green, proper anchoring is vital to ensure it stays in place and provides a smooth surface for your golf game. Luckily, it’s a very similar process to anchoring turf to a soil base.

To start, prepare the area by clearing it of any debris and leveling it to ensure a flat surface. Properly leveling and smoothing your surface is vital for artificial grass putting greens since it affects your ball roll and performance. Once the area is prepped, lay out and cut the turf as usual. 

The key difference between installing standard synthetic grass on soil and installing a putting green is the materials with which you anchor the artificial turf product. Since putting green turf blades are typically much shorter than landscape turf blades, you’ll need to use shorter nails and U-staples. The standard nails for landscape turf are taller and larger, so they would be much more visible on a putting green surface and may disrupt play by sticking out too far from the turf backing. Putting green nails will secure your turf firmly in place without compromising your short game.

If you need guidance in choosing the right artificial turf installation accessories, speak to your installer or contact your local SGW Las Vegas location. We can help you find all the perfect synthetic grass products and installation accessories for your home or business. SGW Las Vegas has been an industry leader for more than 20 years, helping distributors, installers and homeowners alike with all their artificial grass installation needs. To find out more about artificial grass wholesale or to receive guidance with your next turf grass installation, contact your local Synthetic Grass Warehouse facility today.