Artificial Grass on Decking: Transform Your Outdoor Space
Discover creative ways to use artificial grass to enhance your outdoor space as well as how to prepare and clean your deck, install your new turf, and maintain your deck
When thinking of all of the different types of deck surfacing, it's likely that artificial grass did not jump to the front of your mind! But actually artificial turf is a great way to enhance your outdoor living spaces. Using synthetic grass on your deck has many benefits! This creative solution not only has aesthetic appeal but is also low maintenance and versatile.
In this blog we will go over the advantages of using artificial grass on decking, how to prepare your deck and install the synthetic grass, and how to care for and maintain your new outdoor oasis!
Artificial grass is a surface of synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. Its suitability for decking surfaces cannot be overstated! Not only does it look great, but it will be less slippery than other types of decking surfaces. Artificial lawn also requires less maintenance over the years and is long lasting.
Using artificial grass on your decking instead of things like tile, wood, or composite materials has many advantages. Synthetic grass is durable - it is exceptionally resistant to wear and tear. Think about it, if it can stand up to NFL football players and their use, it will be durable as your backyard decking material as well!
Artificial lawns are also beautiful, and always the perfect green no matter the season. Rain or shine this grass will not go brown. And in the summer sun, the color will not fade either.
Contrary to what you may think, artificial lawns can actually be very eco-friendly. Although they are made out of plastic materials in many cases, sometimes you can buy versions made from recycled plastics. Another way synthetic grass can be good for the environment is that they do not require watering the same way a real lawn does. That is why in so many drought stricken areas like southern California homeowners are turning to artificial lawns over real grass.
Installing artificial turf on your decking can be a quick project for the professionals or a DIY weekend project with a friend. Let’s go over the basic preparation and installation process in this step-by-step guide.
Step one is making sure the decking you lay artificial grass on is in good condition and ready for its makeover! Let’s start with inspecting wood decking specifically. With wood decking or wood substructures of a deck, look for any signs of rot, splintering, or insect infestations. Thoroughly inspect all parts of the decking including the footings and posts, joists and framing, guardrails, stairs, and decking.
Next, look for any sagging boards, and check for loose or protruding nails and other hardware. Make sure that any water management systems route water away from the top of the decking. Inspect the entire drainage system including drainage holes to ensure everything is flowing freely.
Finally, double check that all of the railings are stable and do not come loose under pressure.
For situations where the top of the decking is made from composite material, you will not need to check for signs of rot, but you will want to take a quick look. Look for loose or damaged fasteners and sagging boards.
Once you have determined that the deck structure is in good shape, or have identified and fixed the problem areas, we can move on to the next step: cleaning and preparing the deck. To clean, sweep off dirt, moss and debris and then give it a good spray if it is garden hose weather. No matter what the weather is like you will need to clean the deck with a scrubbing brush.
Consider treating the wood of the decking so that it lasts longer before laying the artificial turf on top of it. Let the deck dry completely before moving on to the next step. And do not proceed if it is rainy weather or if rain is in the forecast.
Detail the process of laying artificial grass on decking, including necessary materials, tools, and techniques.
Once your deck is cleaned and prepared, the first step of installing artificial grass is to lay down the underlay materials. This is flooring material that makes the surface even and padded. Use jointing tape to join the pieces together and then once it is one giant sheet of underlayment you can glue or tack it down to the deck. Using tacks is preferred in most cases because then the fake grass can be taken up later without ripping up the entire deck along with it.
Next, roll out the synthetic turf on the deck and leave an extra inch or so around the edges to allow for room to cut a nice clean edge. Leave it to settle for a few hours before cutting the grass to fit the deck so that it is accurate. Flip the grass over and cut along the stitch lines using a utility knife so you do not cut through the stitches.
If you have a large deck and need to line up more than one row of astroturf before you glue it to the underlay be sure to join the separate pieces using joining tape otherwise it may be obvious where the joints are later. To join multiple rows of fake grass, make sure that the pile in the two pieces is running in the same direction. Line the pieces beside each other, pile up - meaning the individual blades of grass fold upwards. Use jointing tape to join the two pieces and apply pressure along the seam to make it stick.
Using artificial grass glue or your preferred turf adhesive, stick the fake grass piece to the underlayment by creating a border of glue around the edges of the deck on the underlay and placing the fake grass on top of it and pressing down. Do not walk on it for a few hours after installing your new artificial grass decking.
Artificial grass does not require a ton of maintenance, which is why it is such a popular choice among homeowners. But it does require some cleaning now and then!
Regular cleaning for artificial grass is either sweeping dirt and debris off of the surface or spraying it with a garden hose.
Mold and mildew can form on artificial grass if it is not kept clean and dry. To prevent mold and mildew make sure that your drainage system for your decking is working correctly. Ensure drainage holes are functional and that things will stay dry if it rains or if you spray off the surface.
The more an artificial grass surface is used, the faster it will see the impacts of wear and tear. Excessive rain or direct sunlight may also impact the lifespan of artificial grass. To get the longest lifespan for your new synthetic grass decking, choose a high-quality grass so that you are getting the best artificial grass out there.
Putting synthetic grass on your deck is the perfect way to add a little greenery to your deck. It can take a boring old concrete patio and liven it up immensely! If you do not want the entire surface to be artificial grass, you can combine it with other materials. For example, you could create a green border or accent certain areas with fake grass.
Showcase examples of decks transformed into tranquil retreats with the addition of artificial grass, comfortable seating, and decorative elements.
If your backyard is less than tropical, adding synthetic grass to your decking can really help to create the feeling of a relaxing oasis in your backyard. Turn your deck into a tranquil retreat with the addition of artificial grass, comfortable seating and other decorative elements like lanterns or fire pits.
If you have ever had or looked after a young child, then you know the sinking feeling that happens while watching them sprint across a concrete patio covered in hose water. You can turn your deck area into a much safer area for an outdoor play area by adding artificial grass as the surface material. Not only is it much less slippery than other surfaces, there are no splinters on bare feet and it is a much softer surface in case of any falls. In fact, you can add as much padding under the artificial grass layer as you want! You may also want to see if you can increase the infill in your turf as well or add a shock pad between the underlayment and your new turf for extra padding.
The same goes for pets - a deck covered in fake grass is much more enjoyable and useful for dogs and puppies than any other material. If you live in a place without a yard, this can be an easy to clean potty spot for your pet as well!
Artificial grass is a great material for outdoor deck areas! It is durable and long lasting and requires very little maintenance. You can add fake grass to your wooden decking or composite deck for various reasons from simply wanting to see more green in your backyard area to wanting to create a safer play area for your children.
There are so many ways to use fake grass on your deck, make sure to explore all the options and find the right solution for your new deck and transform your outdoor space! Look at options for professional installation if you do not want to make it a DIY project.
Artificial Grass Guides
Artificial Grass Guides
Artificial Grass Guides
