With the popularity of artificial grass and astroturf rising among homeowners in the UK, you need to be aware of a few things before setting upon your new garden project. If you’ll be installing the new turf by yourself to keep costs down amidst of the current crisis impacting disposable income, you want to be sure that you lay it correctly so that it lasts for years to come.
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Can you lay artificial grass on topsoil?
If you’re looking for a short and quick answer, no, you shouldn’t lay artificial grass directly on top of topsoil or any other soil for that matter. Not only will it result in an uneven finish to your brand new astroturf, but it will also slowly over time have weeds appearing creating a pretty bad eyesore!
Although you need topsoil further down in the layers, artificial lawn needs to be installed in a certain way (which we will outline later on), as this will ensure your hard work isn’t ruined in just a matter of weeks.
Other solutions
Whilst you need topsoil in the process of laying down fake grass, it shouldn’t be the top layer. As the structure underneath the artificial grass needs to be solid, having materials such as aggregates, drainage rock and gravel near the top and bottom will provide a solid base for years to come.
When applying astroturf in your garden or small space, you should consider using:
- Aggregates, rock and gravel
- Sharp sand or silica sand
- Topsoil
- Weed membrane
Benefits of artificial turf
When demand for a product or service skyrockets, there’s got to be a reason, right? Artificial grass is no different when it comes to a surge in demand as the latest figures suggest.
Whether it’s for playgrounds, sports areas or general garden use, having fake grass in your garden has a long list of benefits.
- Strong heat and water resistance qualities
- Designed to withstand rugged wear and tear
- Provides a safer and cleaner alternative to lawn turf
- Requires minimal maintenance and attention
- Aestichally pleasing in all types of weather
What can you use topsoil for?
Whilst topsoil is used within the process of laying artificial grass and astroturf, that isn’t all it’s used for. Topsoil is mainly used to cover empty patches, create new raised beds and borders, levelling and laying grass lawns.
To find out more information on what topsoil is used for, see our in-depth guide.
