Can Artificial Grass Be Laid on Decking
One of the most common questions about fake grass is: Can artificial grass be laid on decking? The answer to this question is an absolute yes. It can easily be installed on the decking to make the place adorable and beautiful. The only thing that is different in this process is the installation technique.
The installation of fake green grass on decking differs from the installation of astroturf on the floor. However, it’s not an excessively demanding task at all and you can easily have it done yourself, essentially without any professional assistance.
Today, I am going to explain to you the installation process of artificial grass on decking, along with all the plus points of doing so, as well. Continue reading this article for having sound knowledge about this amazing home decor upgrade.
Benefits Of Laying Artificial Grass On Decking
First things first, we’ll start with the advantages of fake grass fitting on your outdoor decks. There are endless benefits to installing artificial turf on decking and here are the primary ones that you must know before the installation process.
- Artificial grass will give the decking a natural look and fulfil the craving for the grass or let’s say a natural decor on the second-story deck.
- The maintenance of this grass is too easy and it works more like a cosy flooring solution for the decking surface.
- It is free from all allergens, so people who are allergic to real grass can easily use it.
- Its installation is very easy and you don’t have to wait for months for the growth, unlike real grass.
- There are no bare spots or ruts on it, and it provides the most excellent coverage for the decking floor.
- You don’t have to apply fertilizers to the grass for its growth, neither there is a need for any pesticides or insecticides and also this goes the same for other lawn maintenance tools, too.
- Astroturf is completely safe for children and pets, as its usage is absolutely free from the concern of any injuries or even grass stains.
- It does not fade, even if it comes in contact with direct sunlight when used in exposed outdoor spaces.
Steps To Perform Before Laying Artificial Grass
Here are some steps that you need to follow when you are thinking of installing artificial turf on the decking.
Check the quality of Decking
First, check the quality of the decking to know whether it is suitable for the installation of artificial grass. In general, most wooden or composite deckings can be easily considered for artificial grass installation. However, prior to the installation, you need to check the gaps between the decking boards. They should ideally be 1 cm or less.
If you have wider gaps, then it may be possible that fake grass will sag into the larger spaces in between, eventually ruining the entire project. So, there is a need to fill all the gaps as much as required and have the decking boards in a perfectly seamless condition.
Clear The Area
Now, clear the area around the deck. Remove all the furniture, plants, and other stuff from the deck to make it completely clear for the installation of artificial grass.
Clean The Decking
Now, after the removal of furniture from the deck, it’s time to clean the deck completely. Scrub the surface of the deck completely. If the protective coating or sealant has been removed from anywhere, reapply it to make the deck surface secure.
For a more effective and hygienic cleanup, it’s even better to address the entire deck with an anti-bacterial commercial cleaner, so as to get rid of any bacterial or mold buildups. Doing so is super crucial since the microbial buildup is likely to take place again under the fake grass. You can also make use of homemade cleaners that are meant for stain cutting, and eradicating contamination or odours.
Apply A Damp-proofing Treatment
Now apply a damp proofing treatment to the floor of the deck. This step is optional; it depends upon you whether you want to apply it. But you must know that the damp proofing system will protect the deck from water by keeping any possible moisture damage at bay.
Allow To Dry For 48 Hours
If you have applied the damp proofing treatment to the deck floor, wait for 48 hours to let it dry. Once the proofing system has dried, you can start the installation of the astroturf.
How To Install Artificial Grass On Decking?
Now that we have prepared our deck for the artificial turf, it’s the best time to start the installation process with no delay.
1. Start By Laying Boards
The first step in the installation of fake grass is the laying of boards on the surface of the deck. It will fill all the gaps the deck boards have and prevent the grass from sagging. This will also work as the levelling of the floor for the perfect and seamless installation of fake grass.
2. Lay Down An Underlay
Now it’s time to add underlay to the floor of the deck. Underlay is very necessary because it will cushion the grass floor and prevent it from sinking into any depressions present in the deck floor.
There are many types of underlay available on the market, but the most common underlays that you can use for the installation of artificial grass on decking are Foam Shock Underlay and Marine Plywood Underlay. Foam shock underlay comes in big rolls; so you need to spread the roll from one corner of the deck to the other corner, followed by cutting out all the additional parts.
Foam-shocked underlay can easily bear the weight of heavy furniture and also protect children when they fall on the floor during games.
The alternative to foam-shocked underlay is marine plywood underlay. It is not as good as a foam underlay, but it is still beneficial. When you place plywood underlay directly on the deck, it will create a completely levelled surface for the grass installation.
3. Lay The Grass Onto The Level Area
Now comes the most important step of the entire process to lay the astroturf on the decking. For this step, you first need to measure the area of the deck completely and precisely and order the fake grass from a good seller. After receiving the grass, place the rolls of grass on the deck floor.
Spread the grass completely on the floor in such a way that it will cover every corner of the deck. There are two methods for fixing the astroturf.
Glue and Tape Method
For this method, we have to use adhesive glue that is specifically made for the installation of artificial grass. After laying the grass roll on the deck, fold the first corner of the roll and apply a generous amount of glue to it, and in the middle of this corner, apply the tape to fix it.
Now cover the second corner in the same way. Fold the other two corners of the grass that are still untreated to the middle of the grass carpets. Apply glue and tape to the middle of the grass and then re-spread the grass rolls. Do it carefully to avoid any bumps or unevenness. Now glue down the remaining two corners and the installation is completed.
Moreover, you can consider this method for the flawless installation of artificial grass on balconies.
Nail Down Method
The other method for the installation of fake grass on the deck is the nail-down method. This method is comparatively easier than the glue-down method because it takes less time. Fix the nails on the edges at a distance of 40 mm x 2.5 mm. It will secure the artificial grass carpet on the floor of the deck.
Important Note: The nail-down method is much more beneficial as compared to the glue-down method. If you have to remove the grass from the deck floor for any reason, Nails can easily be removed and separated from the grass floor and the deck floor. But if you fix the grass floor with glue, then removing it from the deck will tear the grass carpet.
4. Cut And Trim Artificial Grass
Now, after the installation of grass on the decking, cut the grass to the required size. Level the grass throughout the floor. Trim the grass carefully from the corners to make it look presentable on the deck floor.
Allow to Settle The Grass
Now the installation process is completed. Leave the grass for at least 24 hours so it can completely be set on the floor, and then you can place furniture and plants on it, according to your personalized styling scenario.
Conclusion!
At this point, you must have gotten satisfactory answers to the common home improvement concern of “can artificial grass be laid on decking?” Besides, we’ve also got you the complete installation procedure with which you can easily lay the grass without the help of a professional. Hoping for the entire project to be really convenient for you!
FAQs | Frequently Asked Question
If artificial carpet grass is properly installed on the deck floor, then there is no chance of rotting the deck because the underlayment protects the deck and improves water drainage. So proper installation is the key to saving the deck from rotting.
Yes, mold and mildew can grow on artificial carpet grass. If water is not properly drained from the grass, there are chances that fungi and mildew can grow on it. Proper installation of underlay on the floor that can improve the drainage can save you from this situation.
Using hard water on fake grass will turn it white because when hard water is given to the Astro grass, it evaporates and leaves all the chemicals on the grass, making it white. So try to use soft water on the grass to keep it green for a long time.
Clean artificial grass by using a grass broom with soft bristles. Remove all the leaves and dust from the grass carpet. At the moment, remove the pet waste from the carpet. Buy some artificial carpet cleaner from the market and use it on the Astro grass to keep it clean and green forever.
