Your Guide to Installing Artificial Grass on Concrete

Are you looking to transform that gray slab of real estate on your property into something greener? If you’re planning on using the good stuff — artificial turf — make sure do it right. Artificial grass costs anywhere between $5 and $20 per square foot. Don’t pull the trigger until you have your plans laid out. If you’re trying to install artificial grass on concrete, go over the installation process first. Nothing is as simple as it looks, even for experienced DIYers.
This guide should help you understand how to lay artificial grass.

Will Artificial Grass on Concrete Stick?

Not all concrete surfaces will get the job done for outside artificial turf in Phoenix. The elements can put your adhesive and technique to test. If it isn’t on a smooth, flat surface, it could come up.
Cracks in the concrete are no bueno. You need to make sure any cracks are only superficial and not deep enough to allow water to collect. Growing mold underneath your turf is a huge hazard.
Plus, any surface cracks could loosen areas, causing pockets of the grass to move. You can try using a self-leveling compound to smooth out the entire surface of the concrete before proceeding.

Prepping for the Artificial Turf

Once the concrete has been swept and cleared of any debris, you’re ready for the padding. Hopefully, you’ve already shopped for padding; if not, make sure you get one for outdoor use. This underlying padding shouldn’t be skipped.
Even if this outdoor area isn’t meant for bare feet, the extra cushion allows more give for the plastic blades to be walked on.

Laying Out the Grass

After you roll out the green carpet, you’ll want to take your time to line up all the seams. Take care of any excess overlapping edges with a good box cutter.
Once everything looks lined up, start taping the edges together. You can also use an outdoor glue or quick-drying adhesive.
When the seams are secure, lift up a corner and start laying down your adhesive on the padding. You can use the exact same adhesive that you used for the concrete. Give plenty of time to dry — the directions don’t account for humidity or temperature accurately.
Once it’s dry, you can start sweeping and washing away all dirt and debris. If you weren’t too heavy-handed with the adhesive, you shouldn’t have any excess to scrape away.

Hiring a Professional

The time it takes to apply artificial grass on concrete properly may be more than you anticipate. If you’re working alone, you need to also work in sections. Depending on how the wind is blowing, you might also risk inhaling those toxic adhesive fumes.
That’s not going to be a fun project, especially when you’re trying to get the perfect fit so that no concrete is visible. We suggest hiring a professional to install your grass. At Sunburst Landscaping, we can handle any size job in no time.
Contact us for more information. We do residential and commercial landscaping with artificial turf.