Can You Install Artificial Grass Between Pavers?

Suppose you want to revamp your lawn. Should you install artificial grass between landscaping pavers?

You can install artificial grass between pavers, but you must consider providing room for the pavers to extend through your turf.

Life gets more enjoyable and easier after installation since you don’t need to bother about the tedious job of watering, mowing, and weeding the natural grass between the pavers. It’s crucial to ensure the installation is perfectly done for it to last for an extended period.

How To Install Artificial Grass Between Pavers

Installing fake grass in between pavers is not an easy process. It entails a lot of measurements and requires great accuracy when combining pavers and fake grass, but the outcome is worthwhile. Below is a step-by-step guide on installing synthetic grass between pavers:

Step 1: Set Up Ground for Drainage

Before doing anything else, you must evaluate how water passes between the pavers. Any fake grass installation must have good drainage if you want to avoid future flooding and puddles.

Inspect the ground type that exists between the pavers. You can add a sub-base as usual if it’s simply soil or ground. This must be manually compacted using a hand tamp that glides between the blocks.

Examine the leveling on the ground surface between the pavers if it is made of rock, cement, or concrete. This relates to a gentle slope that was added into the terrain during construction to let the water flow off and prevent it from collecting in one place.

If the leveling is inadequate, you have to either dig the drainage holes through it or level the concrete layer. Ensure you carefully cover all drainage holes created using pea shingle before you continue.

Step 2: Build a Sub-Base

A sub-base layer is essential for exceptional drainage and performance regardless of whether you get soil or concrete between the pavers. However, it’s a bit challenging to lay and compact the sub-base between pavers.

This is because a hand will not compact the soil sufficiently, and a plate compactor typically won’t fit in between the pavers.

It’s advisable to compact the sub-base manually using a stone or brick. Place the brick between the pavers, then use a big hammer to compress the sub-base beneath.

Step 3: Spread Out and Set the Fake Grass

After preparing the ground, spread out the artificial grass over the pavers. Before installing the grass, please leave it in the sun for at least 4 hours. This time frame gives the fibers time to rise again and allows the grass backing to conform to the shape around the pavers.

Also, you can move along the pavers to assist the grass backing in integrating with the pavers’ shape for easier installation.

Doing this ensures that the fibers spontaneously face the house for the optimal angle of view. The fibers in each part should also be aligned and oriented in the same direction. You should leave plenty of extra grass between your panels because it will offer you space when joining these parts together.

Step 4: Nail the Grass Down

You must secure the grass to the ground after laying it out and giving it time to rest. You only need to nail the grass down at the middle of the pavers, about an inch apart. By doing this, you prevent the grass from moving when cutting.

Don’t hammer the nails in since you will remove them afterward. If you are installing artificial grass on stone or concrete surfaces, use your weight to keep the grass in place while being careful not to move it.

Step 5: Cut the Artificial Grass

Cutting the artificial grass is a crucial step as it determines how the final appearance will be. A correctly executed cut between the pavers provides your yard with a stunning, well-kept appearance. Failure to install properly, and your pavers will have uneven and unattractive gaps.

Commence by making a small cut along the paver’s edge. The secret to accurate grass cutting between pavers is to press the blade’s tip against the paver’s hard edge and ride it along the perimeter.

Ensure that you cut in little increments. Keep the extra grass coiled and dragged backward using your hand as you cut to prevent harming the grass fibers.

A box cutter or a standard utility blade is ideal for this job. Make sure you keep the knife sharp by swapping out the blades frequently. In the end, you will have a small space between the grass and paver of around 1/8 inch. Naturally, the grass blades will fill in the gap.

Don’t make the space too narrow, as this will encourage the grass to bunch up and compact along the paver edge. Also, if the space between the pavers and artificial grass is too large, it will be noticeable, giving the lawn an uneven and unprofessional appearance.

Step 6: Secure the Fake Grass

After cutting the artificial grass, the next step is firmly securing it to the ground. Use nails to do this because they’ll ensure the grass backing drains well. Insert 5-inch galvanized nails in every paver’s corner and 3 ½-inch nails at the center of the pavers, spacing them 4 inches apart.

For stone and concrete surfaces, use glue to secure the turf. Ensure the surface is clean first, and apply an adhesive designed purposely for fake grass. Be careful as you use the glue to prevent obstructing ground drainage.

Step 7: Trim and Create the Joins

Get back and create any required joins between the artificial grass panels. Your lawn’s joins are an essential component, and you must make them carefully for a sturdy seam. When the installation is complete, they must still be invisible.

You need to trim the grass first and then prepare the joins. You must remove at least three grass blades’ rows from each side to have an invisible join. Ensure they are close enough for a flawless join though not so near, to avoid clumping up the grass fibers.

Use glue and joining tape to secure the joins. After that, wait for the glue to dry before you proceed on to the next step.

Final Step: Add Infill and Brush

Once you are through with cutting, fastening, trimming, and joining, you must add infill and make any necessary adjustments. The infill is manufactured using fine sediment materials like cork, rubber, and sand.

Infill has numerous benefits, such as cooling the turf, maintaining vertical grass blades, and assuring proper drainage. Infill is crucial for the durability and maintenance of artificial grass.

Use your hand to add infill as the grass strips are thinner than in normal installation. After completing that procedure, brush the grass to fluff up the grass fibers and conclude the job.

Feel free to get creative when installing artificial grass among pavers. You can incorporate different artificial grass and paving ideas to create an oasis of beauty in your yard. One option is to mix the fake grass in between pavers with natural grass or install a turf lawn on a deck.

Turf is a fantastic choice, whether designing the landscape with various materials or bringing life to a dull patio.

FAQs

What kind of sub-base should I place beneath my fake grass?

Three sub-base types are available: class II road base, crushed miscellaneous base (CMB), and decomposed granite. CMB is an excellent option because it’s easy to compact and cost-effective.

Decomposed granite is ideal for uneven grounds or regions with drainage issues as it offers a smoother, better-draining finish.

What kind of fake turf infill should I use?

Infills come in various types, both synthetic and natural. Crumb rubber is more prevalent in athletic fields or high-traffic places as it has a slight bounce.

The best option for your backyard is silica sand, which is made of quartz. The acrylic-coated sand infill is suitable for homeowners with pets because it has antibacterial protection.

Is fake grass safe for animals?

Fake grass is the best alternative for pets with natural grass allergies, making them feel more comfortable. If your dog consumes excessive grass, artificial grass can help solve this issue.

Also, you won’t see muddy paw prints in your house on damp days. Unlike natural grass, fake grass does not leave unsightly blotches or streaks when a dog urinates on it.

What is the cost of artificial grass?

Based on the turf type, fake grass prices range from $3 to $8 per sq. ft. It costs about $5 to $20 per sq. ft. to install the artificial grass, including labor and material. However, the cost varies depending on where you live and the professionals you hire.

Final Thoughts

Fake grass is an incredible addition to your yard. It simplifies grass maintenance and offers a wide range of unique advantages. Installing artificial grass between pavers is not easy, but the results are amazing. A quality installation is long-lasting and simple to maintain.