ARTIFICIAL TURF INSTALLATION: DIY VS. HIRING A PROFESSIONAL – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

So, you’ve come to the conclusion that artificial turf is a wise investment (good for you!) Now, you have to decide how to actually make it a reality. It can be very tempting to think that it’s something you can go ahead and install yourself, and we’d never judge you for giving serious thought to the idea. However, even in a relatively small backyard or communal space, there’s far more to laying down artificial turf than meets the eye. And any shortcuts you take or any mistakes you make can have major ramifications for the aesthetic appeal of your new purchase and, just as concerningly, its longevity. Here, we take a look at some of the most common problems associated with DIY installations – and why it’s very much worth your while to consider hiring a professional…

Durability

Foundations: Quite simply, you can’t just lay artificial turf straight down on top of your existing grass or soil. The result will be a visibly uneven surface, one which will quickly look even worse once it’s in everyday use or you begin adding garden furniture. With a professional installer, you can save yourself the hassle of a lengthy, demanding excavation job. Done properly, excavation should stretch at least three inches below the height of your finished turf (and more if drainage could be an issue, as we’ll get to shortly) with any weeds and debris also being removed. The next step is to create a stable, level base layer, composed of crushed stone (CMB) or decomposed granite. With DIY projects, people can often neglect to add a weed membrane, too – which can swiftly come back to haunt them.

Drainage: Failing to provide a level base for your turf can mean that puddling, unsurprisingly, becomes a common sight. In general, though, a functioning drainage system is critical to the turf’s overall health, and it’s something that requires a lot of careful thought – and professional know-how. Establishing a slight slope to assist with water run-off may seem like a hassle of a job, but it’s a hugely significant one. And depending on exactly what material your turf is going to be sitting on top of, you may well have to create an extra line of defence; for example, if it’s being added above a particularly hard surface, like concrete or paving slabs, you’ll have to drill holes during the preparatory stage to aid with the drainage process. Again, if it isn’t something you’re used to doing, such a task is neither easy nor quick.

Aesthetic Appeal

Measurements and Cuts: Of all the things that could go wrong during a DIY installation, getting incorrect measurements or failing to make accurate cuts are among the most common. Both can also be tremendously frustrating, potentially rendering much of your other work obsolete. Often, it’s simply a case of not having the right tools; to get your installation looking as professional as it should be, several pieces of specialized equipment are required, from turf cutters to hand saws, plate compactors to carpet knee kickers. And, unlike those of us who handle turf for a living, it’s highly improbable you’ll have everything you really need to hand. If having a green space for aesthetic purposes is a motivating factor for you, then you shouldn’t leave anything to chance.

Seaming: Perhaps the most intricate part of the whole DIY process – and the one which, if you make it as far, will ultimately be the difference in your job looking polished or amateurish. In an ideal world, nobody taking a look at your handiwork should ever be able to work out where one piece of turf ends and another begins, but failing to join them together properly can leave a glaring (and painful!) visible line. With a professional installer, you can rest easy knowing you’re being taken care of by somebody who’s already completed hundreds of projects just like yours, for whom seaming is their bread and butter.

Making The Most of Your Investment

Infill: Because it isn’t as apparent to the naked eye, your choice of infill may easily prove something of an afterthought in a DIY job, certainly compared to cutting and seaming. There are several different types of infill on the market and many are developed with a particular purpose in mind; if you’re working on a dog park, for example, you should select an infill with the ability to absorb odors, trapping the ammonia gases in urine which create foul smells. Working with turf experts like Goat Turf, though, you can tap into our extensive knowledge and ascertain exactly which type of infill is right for your project. And infill should never simply be thrown in; it has to be spread precisely into the turf’s fibers using a brush, which keeps them upright and protected from breaking.

Costs: Ultimately, if you’re thinking about laying down artificial turf yourself, saving money is probably at the forefront of your mind. But if you can’t already tell, there’s plenty of potential for things to start going wrong and, when they do, you can find yourself having to shell out for replacement parts, often at short notice, or extra tools. It’s also fair to say that a DIY project can be very, very time-consuming, even forcing you to take leave from your day job. Very quickly, what started as a cost-cutting exercise can spiral out of control and actually have the opposite effect – and you may not even have the results to show for it. Opting for a professional operation with Goat Turf, you’re safe in the knowledge that the amount you initially decide to shell out will remain exactly that, with a positive outcome guaranteed and a one-year workmanship warranty.

Do Things the Right Way With Goat Turf

We believe there are some things you just can’t put a price on, like experience, expertise and peace of mind – all of which Goat Turf can provide for you in abundance. The benefits of hiring a professional installer to transform your outdoor space are plentiful, allowing you to truly get the most out of your project. Arrange a consultation with us today to have a chat about your own unique needs.