Artificial grass is super low-maintenance, which is why everyone loves it for balconies and outdoor projects. But if you don’t lay it down right, you’re going to deal with puddles and wrinkles down the road. If you are wondering how to install artificial grass on concrete, here are a few practical tips to help you get it right the first time without any headaches.
Do You Need an Underlay For Artificial Grass On Concrete
Concrete is rock hard. If you lay the fake grass directly on it, walking on it will feel stiff and uncomfortable. Plus, all that regular foot traffic will wear down the backing of the turf over time. It’s best to put down a layer of foam underlay first. That way, it gives you that nice, bouncy feel just like real grass, making it way more comfortable underfoot.
Drainage For Artificial Grass On Concrete
If you’re installing this outdoors, sorting out the drainage beforehand is a must. Poor drainage means you’ll deal with puddles and mold every time it rains, and the turf might even start buckling or warping.
There are two main ways to handle drainage on concrete:
- Sloping: Use the natural slope of the ground. Just make sure one side is lower than the other so rainwater can run off naturally.
- Drilling weep holes: If you have low spots where water tends to puddle, grab a hammer drill and make some dedicated drainage holes, then pack them with gravel. The gravel keeps the water flowing while stopping dirt and silt from plugging up the holes.
Tools And Materials Checklist
- Artificial grass (usually comes in 2m or 4m widths)
- Foam underlay
- Heavy-duty artificial grass tape
- Turf glue (or adhesive)
- Utility knife and measuring tape
- Broom or pressure washer
- Bricks or heavy objects (to hold things down temporarily)
Installing Artificial Grass on Concrete
Step 1: Clean the Base
Sweep away all the dust and debris with a broom, or blast it clean with a pressure washer. Use a stiff brush to get dirt out of the cracks. If there are any cracks or potholes, patch them up with concrete filler first and let it dry completely before moving on.
Step 2: Lay the Foam Underlay
Measure your area first and grab enough underlay. Start rolling it out from the very edge, line up the seams perfectly, and tape them together. Leave a little extra bit around the edges when trimming, just in case you cut too much off. If the edges start curling up, just weigh them down with bricks or heavy objects for now to keep them flat.
Step 3: Secure the Underlay
There are two main ways to secure it. The first is the gluing method—just spread turf adhesive around the perimeter. The second is the tape method: stick strong double-sided tape to the back of the underlay, line it up with the ground, peel off the backing, and stick it down. Be careful not to stick it down crooked, and press it down hard once it’s in place.
Step 4: Measure and Roll Out the Turf
Roll out your artificial grass. It usually comes in 2-meter or 4-meter widths, so look at your space and decide whether it makes more sense to lay it horizontally or vertically. Make sure it completely covers the foam layer underneath, leave a bit of an overlap, and trim off the excess with a utility knife.
Step 5: Seams and Edges
If you want to go without glue, you can just use heavy-duty double-sided turf tape to secure the seams between the pieces and all around the edges. If you’re using single-sided turf tape, you’ll need to lay the tape right under the seam, spread your turf glue on it, and then line up both pieces of grass and press them down. Once done, give it a few hours—don’t walk on it until the glue is completely dry.
Step 6: Sand Infill and Brushing
Spread a layer of kiln-dried sand evenly across the grass surface (laying artificial grass on concrete with sand). We recommend about 4 to 5 kg per square meter. This sand settles down into the base of the blades, acting as a weight to keep the turf from lifting in high winds, and it helps the grass blades stay standing upright. Finally, take a stiff broom and brush against the pile in the direction to fluff it up.
Artificial Grass On Driveway
If you’re laying artificial grass on a driveway, remember that vehicles are incredibly heavy. You absolutely cannot use a soft foam underlay here—the tires will crush it instantly, causing the turf to sink or tear. For driveways, you need to choose a high-density, heavy-duty turf and apply a full coat of specialized turf adhesive to bond the entire backing completely to the concrete surface.
Conclusion
To make your artificial grass last on concrete, securing the seams is key. Our Heavy-Duty Artificial Grass Tape is built for outdoor use with a strong, waterproof grip that stops shifting, bubbling, and lifting on balconies or large commercial jobs. Need a reliable supplier or bulk pricing? Send us an inquiry today for a free quote and samples.
FAQ
How to lay artificial grass on gravel?
Clear away any large or loose rocks. Spread a 20mm layer of sharp sand or fine granite dust directly over the gravel, then use a plate compactor to create a smooth, solid base before unrolling the turf.
How to lay artificial grass on uneven ground?
Excavate the topsoil to a depth of 50-75mm to remove grass and roots. Fill the low areas with a sub-base mixture of crushed limestone and sharp sand, then compact the entire area thoroughly until the ground is completely flat.
How to install artificial grass on a concrete wall?
Drill holes into the concrete wall and insert plastic wall plugs. Secure the top edge of the turf using screws and washers, let the turf hang straight, and apply heavy-duty grab adhesive along the sides and bottom to hold it flush against the wall.
How to install turf indoors?
Clean the subfloor thoroughly to remove dust and oil. Roll out the turf, trim the edges with a utility knife to fit the room, and secure the perimeter using heavy-duty double-sided turf tape to prevent shifting and tripping hazards.
How to get rid of standing water on artificial grass?
Pull back the turf over the flooded area to expose the concrete base. Drill several 10mm drainage holes into the concrete at the lowest points, pack the holes with small pea gravel to prevent silt blockage, and lay the turf back down.
