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Measure the area
Measure length and width at the largest points. Include extra material for cutting, joins and edging.
Artificial Grass Installation Guide
AusGrass professional guide
Artificial Grass Installation Guide
A premium step-by-step guide for preparing your base, laying synthetic turf, joining rolls, securing the perimeter and finishing your lawn with a professional brushed finish.
Plan first
Before you start your installation
A great artificial lawn starts before the turf is rolled out. Check the site, plan the grass direction, prepare your materials and make sure the base can drain correctly.
Confirm drainage
Water should not pool in the base. Add fall away from buildings and compact in layers.
Plan turf direction
Lay all rolls with the pile running the same way. Face the pile toward the main viewing area where possible.
Prepare tools
Have your knife, compactor, rake, level, nails or U-pins, joining tape, kiln-dried sand and broom ready.
Estimator
Quick material estimator
Use this quick guide to estimate area, excavation volume and base material. Final quantities may vary depending on site access, compaction rate, shape and installation conditions.
0m²exact ground space
0m³Approx. 100mm excavation / base volume
Tip: for a 50m² area, 100mm depth equals approximately 5m³ of removed material or base volume before site-specific compaction and wastage. This calculator determines excavation and base materials only, the amount of artificial grass required may be a larger amount. Use our artificial grass calculator to determine exact materials required including the artificial grass of your choice.
Step-by-step
Professional artificial grass installation process
Follow each stage in order. The base is the most important part of the installation — a flat, stable and well-compacted base helps prevent dips, joins opening and uneven edges.
Step01
Excavate and shape the area
Excavate to allow enough depth for the crushed rock, stone dust and turf pile. In most residential areas, work from the lowest hard edge such as concrete, paving or edging.
- Remove existing grass, loose soil, roots and debris.
- Aim for around 100mm total depth from the lowest finished edge.
- Shape the subgrade so water can move away from buildings and low points.
- Compact the exposed soil before adding your rock base.
Pro tip: Calculate soil removal as length × width × depth. Every 10m² at 100mm depth is roughly 1m³.
Step02
Install the crushed rock base
Spread a solid crushed rock layer across the area. This layer provides strength, support and drainage below the synthetic turf.
- Use a minimum 70mm compacted crushed rock layer.
- Rake the rock level before compacting.
- Hose lightly and compact thoroughly.
- Top up and recompact any weak pockets or low areas.
Base mix guide: A practical ordering split is approximately two-thirds 20mm crushed rock and one-third stone dust.
Step03
Add stone dust and final level
Stone dust creates a smooth, firm surface under the turf. Take your time here — this is what gives the finished lawn its clean, even appearance.
- Spread stone dust evenly over the compacted rock layer.
- Screed or rake to remove ridges and high spots.
- Hose and compact until the surface feels firm.
- Finish the base roughly 10–20mm below the lowest surrounding edge.
Quality check: Walk the area and look for soft spots. Rework any areas that move under foot before laying turf.
Step04
Roll out, position and cut the grass
Roll the AusGrass turf out from the straightest edge first. Let the turf relax before final trimming where possible, especially on warm days.
- Lay every roll with the pile direction facing the same way.
- Trim the factory flap from both sides of the roll before joining or edging.
- Position the turf into the cleanest corner and check all edges before cutting.
- Cut from the backing side wherever possible using a sharp blade.
Cutting tip: Use small, controlled cuts and replace blades often for a cleaner edge.
Step05
Secure the perimeter
Once the turf is positioned correctly, secure it around the edge so it sits flush to the border without curling or lifting.
- Open the pile with your fingers before fixing to avoid trapping grass blades.
- Place nails or U-pins approximately 2–3cm from the turf edge.
- Space fixings around 20–30cm apart along the perimeter.
- Add extra fixings through the centre if needed for a more secure finish.
Finish tip: Fixings should disappear into the pile once the grass is brushed up.
Step06
Brush, sand and final groom
Kiln-dried sand helps support the base of the grass blades and improves the finished look of the lawn.
- Power broom or stiff-brush the grass upright before sanding.
- Spread kiln-dried sand evenly across the turf.
- Brush again to work the sand into the base of the pile.
- Do not brush wet grass or wet sand. Hose afterwards only if required.
Maintenance tip: Brush high-traffic areas occasionally to keep the pile standing naturally.
Simple line diagrams
Key installation details made easy
These clean diagrams help customers understand the most important details: base layers, turf direction and hidden fixings.
Recommended base profile
Typical residential build-up from compacted soil to finished turf.
Turf pile direction
Keep every roll facing the same direction for consistent colour and finish.
Hidden perimeter fixing
Open the pile before nailing so fixings sit low and are covered by the blades.
Larger areas
Joining artificial grass rolls
A clean join depends on matching the pile direction, trimming both edges neatly and keeping the blades out of the tape adhesive.
Trim both factory edges
Remove the flap on both joining sides and cut close to the stitch without damaging it.
Centre the joining tape
Fold both pieces back and position tape evenly underneath the join line.
Keep blades clear
Brush the blades away from the adhesive so they do not become trapped in the join.
Apply pressure as you peel
Remove the plastic cover gradually while pressing the turf down to stop the join moving.
Aftercare
Keep your new lawn looking fresh
Artificial grass is low maintenance, but a simple care routine will help protect the finish in high-use areas.
Brush high-traffic zones
Use a plastic rake, stiff broom or power broom to lift flattened pile in walkways and play areas.
Rinse when needed
Hose pet areas, food spills or dusty sections to keep the surface clean and fresh.
Treat surface weeds
Occasional surface weeds can be removed by hand or treated carefully with a suitable general weed killer.
Quality control
Common issues and how to avoid them
| Issue | Likely cause | Prevention or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dips or potholes appearing | Soft pockets in soil or base not compacted enough. | Compact the soil, crushed rock and stone dust in stages. Top up low areas before turf is installed. |
| Visible joins | Pile direction mismatch, uneven trimming or blades stuck in tape. | Keep rolls facing the same way, trim neatly, centre the tape and brush blades away from adhesive. |
| Raised or curling edges | Perimeter not fixed securely or turf cut under tension. | Let turf relax, cut carefully and fix 2–3cm from the edge at close spacing. |
| Sand sitting on top of grass | Sand applied unevenly or grass brushed while wet. | Use dry kiln-dried sand, spread lightly and brush into the base of the pile while dry. |
FAQ
Artificial grass installation questions
How deep should I excavate for artificial grass?
A common residential guide is around 100mm from the lowest finished edge, allowing room for the compacted crushed rock, stone dust and turf pile.
What base should I use under synthetic turf?
Use a stable crushed rock layer for strength and drainage, followed by stone dust to create a smooth, compacted final surface.
Do all turf rolls need to face the same direction?
Yes. Lay all rolls with the pile direction facing the same way to avoid colour and texture differences between pieces.
When should I add kiln-dried sand?
Add kiln-dried sand after the turf has been cut, joined and secured. Brush the grass first, spread sand evenly, then brush again to work it into the pile.
Can artificial grass get weeds?
Weeds are usually surface weeds from wind, birds or surrounding gardens. Regular cleaning and occasional treatment can help keep the surface tidy.
Ready to install your new lawn?
Choose your artificial grass, add the recommended accessories and prepare your site with this guide open on your phone.
