Artificial grass

[srjhuk]

Hi everyone,

I’d really appreciate some advice, as I’m currently helping a friend install artificial grass in his garden for the kids to play on.

Here’s the plan for the base:

• Type 1 MOT (hardcore)
• Compacted
• Sharp sand
• Flushed with straight edge or timber
• Weed membrane
• Artificial grass
• Timber edging around the perimeter

The total available depth is roughly 150–200mm. I was planning to lay 100mm of MOT Type 1, followed by 30mm of sharp sand.

Questions:

1. Can I fill the required depth with MOT Type 1, leaving the final 30mm for sharp sand so that it's flush with the top of the timber edging?
2. Half of the area where the grass is going is currently concrete.
   Should I:
   • Put MOT Type 1 on top of the concrete and compact it to raise the level?
   • Lay sharp sand directly on the concrete? (Though this would result in more than 30mm of sand.)
   • Or break up the concrete and bury it to help raise the ground level before building the sub-base?
3. Would it be a good idea to remove the concrete where the timber edging is going to ensure the edging is securely fixed and sits properly?
4. If the total ground depth is 150mm, should I buy 200mm-deep timber and sink it into the ground for extra stability, or is 150mm timber sufficient as long as it sits flush with the finished surface?

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[johnny2007]

The plan is good apart from edges that will rot in no time.
A 3 inch section of poured concrete will last forever and if correctly formed, will give you the level to work the sharp sand perfectly flat.

 

[srjhuk]

The plan is good apart from edges that will rot in no time.
A 3 inch section of poured concrete will last forever and if correctly formed, will give you the level to work the sharp sand perfectly flat.

Thanks for the advice. I'm not confident working with concrete, so I’d prefer to avoid it. I'm planning to use pressure-treated timber instead.

 

[ptarmigan]

Bare in mind it can get very hot in the sun.

 

[srjhuk]

Bare in mind it can get very hot in the sun.

issue for my friend, lol

 

[TheLoraxxZeus]

Bare in mind it can get very hot in the sun.

Understatement here. Neighbour has some down and last week they had to take their cockapoo to the vet because the grass scalded her pads. I would be very wary about putting artificial turf down if you are able bodied enough to look after real grass, it will wreck havoc on the gardens eco system. Also in really hot weather it lets off the same smell you probably remember from back when playgrounds used shredded tires for padding at the bottom of slides lol.