Installing artificial grass between pavers was one of our more recent initiatives to make an outside living area as attractive as possible.
We had a plan of installing synthetic turf ribbons between pavers, and we needed the layout to be waterproof, drainable, and pet-resistant. Pets will inevitably use it as a toilet (we love them all the same regardless) and this is something many people forget to consider!
The installation of this artificial grass between pavers is what we are going to be discussing in the article below. Our team have provided advice to hundreds of people looking to install artificial grass all around the world, and we’re now going to share our expertise with you.
Installing an artificial lawn between your pavers may dramatically change the appearance and feel of the outside of any home. While installation might be challenging in some areas, your grass will last for many years with little upkeep:
Table of Contents
Can You Install Artificial Grass Between Pavers?
Of course! It’s possible to install artificial grass between pavers, but you’ll have to figure out how to make room for the pavers to poke through your fake grass.
However, once the installation is complete, life becomes considerably easier. You don’t have to be concerned about weeding, mowing, or keeping the grass between the pavers like you would with normal grass. It might be difficult to do this in a very restricted area. Groundwork is generally required for artificial lawn installations. Prior to putting down the grass on concrete surfaces, you may need to drill drainage holes.
It’s critical to get the installation done correctly in order for the structure, strength, or drainage capacity to remain stable over time. It’s well worth it to do things right – a good installation may be enjoyed for 10-15 years.
Commons Mistakes We See
We see a lot of the time that people place their paving blocks on natural grass. Now, this isn’t wrong in many respects but it can cause a lot of issues later down the line. As the natural grass grows, it pushes the paving up and can make the whole structure very unstable or make it look unsightly.
Weeds are also a big problem when it comes to grass between pavers. If you don’t have a good weed control system in place, then eventually the weeds will poke through and ruin the whole look of your paved area.
Just because you are using artificial grass, doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about accuracy… Accuracy is extremely important when it comes to prepping the area where you are going to lay your fake grass because if the ground isn’t level, then your installation will look inadequate.
Concrete Planning, Drainage and Pouring
Step 1. Pre-Planning
Not only do you have to purchase the artificial grass, but you will also have an excess left over once you have finished. During the installation, you will have to cut out strips to create a lawn-like appearance to fit around your pavers. This will result in large amounts of artificial grass waste that you’ll have to dispose of.
In addition, artificial grass can be a pain to maintain. You’ll need to regularly brush it and remove any debris that gets trapped in the blades. This will obviously be time-consuming depening on how large of an area you are planning.
Step 2. Good Soil
Anyone who has ever put in a patio or walkway knows that the key to a good install is compact soil. The last thing anyone wants is for their beautiful new patio to start sinking and their pavers to become uneven. That’s why it’s important to use good compact soil when putting artificial grass between pavers.
This type of soil is designed to resist compaction, meaning it will stay in place better and provide a more stable foundation for your artificial grass. In addition, compact soil drains well, so you won’t have to worry about rainwater (or your beloved pet’s urine) pooling on your new patio. With the right compact soil, you can enjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance patio for years to come.
Step 3. Preparation of the ground
One of the most important aspects of pouring concrete is making sure the ground is level before starting to place the paving slabs. A laser level is a quick and easy way to grade the whole area for the concrete. This will ensure that your patio is level when it dries.
If the ground isn’t level enough, the concrete will crack and the paving slabs will not lay flat. This can ruin the look of your artificial paving area and cause trip hazards. In addition, uneven concrete can lead to water pooling and drainage issues which can damage the pavers or attract pests. Therefore, it is essential to take the time to make sure the ground is level before beginning your project.
Step 4. Ground Drainage
It’s best to start the concrete area one inch below the initial ground level. This will ensure that the concrete area is evenly level with the rest of the ground. To form up the concrete area, use nice big 2×4 – 20 footer pieces of wood. This will allow you to form up the concrete area in one piece, which will make it much easier to level off. Once the concrete area is formed up, use a level to make sure it is even with the rest of the ground.
In this property that we were working on, we wanted 16 feet of setback from the home, resulting in a 2% slope. The slope is an important factor to consider when landscaping in general. A gentle slope can add interest to your yard and can be used to showcase plants or features. The ideal slope for a lawn is one inch per eight feet. This gentle slope will provide good drainage during rainfall. In other words, for every 8 feet, you go out, going one inch down will give you a 2% slope, essentially giving you a nice gradual run-off.
However, the simplest method to assess drainage capacity is to spray water over the ground. Examine for any pools or puddles – these are the places where you should concentrate on drainage holes.
Step 5. Concrete Pouring
A level surface is essential for a successful pour. If the ground isn’t level, the concrete will settle unevenly and can crack or crumble over time, luckily you will have already checked this in step 4. To ensure a level surface, start by excavating any areas that are too high.
Then, use a hose or string to mark out the perimeter of the pour. Next, grade the soil around the perimeter until it slopes away from the centre. Finally, use a levelling tool to make sure the entire surface is level before you begin to pour the concrete. Use brooms to level out the concrete after it has fairly set but not yet dry.
Stepping Stone Pavers
To make stepping stone shapes, you will need to use your 2×4 pieces of wood to create a mold. First, determine how big you want each stepping stone to be. Then, cut the 2x4s to size accordingly. Once you have the correct dimensions, start putting the 2x4s together to form a mold. Make sure that the mold is large enough to fit the stepping stone shape that you desire. We suggest you have these moldings in place before you make your first poor of concrete.
Once you have created the mold, place it on a level surface. Once the concrete is mixed, pour it into the mold so that it evenly fills the space. Allow the concrete to set for 24 hours before removing the mold. Finally, space out your stepping stones evenly. In the next step, we’re going to show how to install the artificial grass between the pavers
Installing The Artificial Turf Between The Pavers
Step 6. Bordering Off The Artificial Grass
After your concrete has been poured and has had time to set, you will need to install a wood border around your artificial grass. This will ensure that your grass sits flush against the concrete and looks neat and tidy. You will need to measure the perimeter of your artificial grass and cut the wood border to size. Once you have done this, you will need to screw the wood border into the concrete using concrete screws. Make sure that the wood border is level so that your artificial grass is also level.
Step 7. Install Sub-Base
A sub-base is necessary for a few reasons when installing artificial grass. First, it helps with drainage. By creating a space between the pavers and the ground, water will be able to run off more easily, helping to prevent flooding and extensive damage to the turf.
Second, a sub-base helps to protect the pavers from shifting and settling over time. By creating a firm foundation, you can help to ensure that your pavers stay put for years to come. Finally, a sub-base can add an extra layer of protection against weeds and other unwanted growth. By filling in the gaps between the pavers, you can help to prevent unwanted plants from taking root.
Step 8. Roll Out The Artificial Grass
After the ground has been flattened, lay artificial grass on top of the pavers. Place it in direct sunshine for at least four hours before installing – this will allow the turf fibers to stand up again and the grass backing to mold and form around the pavers.
Ideally, the fibers should naturally flow towards the house for ideal viewing angle. Each component should also have the fibers lined up and facing in the same direction. When putting together these sections, we recommend leaving a large margin of grass between them – This will allow you to make mistakes with your joinings without having it look bad.
Step 9. Nail The Grass Down
After the grass is laid out, you will need to start nailing it down. Begin by driving nails into the perimeter of the artificial grass. Make sure that the nails are driven in at an angle so that they will not come back up through the turf. Once the perimeter is secure, you can begin nailing down the rest of the turf. We recommend using a nail gun for this part of the process as it will be much faster and easier than doing it by hand. Be sure to space out the nails evenly so that they will hold the turf down securely.
Step 10. Cut Around The Pavers
The final step in terms of the overall look is to cut between the pavers carefully. If you do it properly, your yard will have a clean-cut appearance. However, if you do it incorrectly, your pavers will be unattractive gaps around them.
Start by making a small incision at the paver’s edge. To avoid injuring the grass fibers, make your cuts in tiny increments and keep the surplus grass rolled and pulled backward with your free hand. Avoid hurting the grass fibers by cutting “up and back” rather than “down and forward.”
A utility blade or box cutter will suffice for this task. However, you should replace the blades on a regular basis to keep the knife sharp and new. The ideal gap is approximately 1/8 of an inch between the paver and grass. Naturally, the grass blades will fill in this space.
You don’t want to make the space too tiny since this compresses and bunches up the grass along the paver edge. On the other hand, if the distance between the fake grass and pavers is excessively large, it will be visible, making the lawn appear uneven and unprofessional.
Step 11: Secure The Artificial Grass
After the cutting is finished, it’s time to permanently attach the fake grass to the ground. Nails are the best method to do this since they will ensure proper drainage through the grass backing. In each paver’s corners, drive 5 inch galvanized nails and 3 1/2 inch nails positioned 4 inches apart between them. Once you’ve nailed down the temporary spikes, you can remove them.
Conclusion
Artificial grass is a wonderful addition to any yard. It makes lawn care simple and provides a slew of unexpected advantages. A good artificial grass installation is both sturdy and low-maintenance.
It’s no reason to avoid artificial grass if you already have a well-designed landscape, including pavers on your yard or driveway. Simply follow the techniques outlined above, and you’ll be able to install fake grass between the paving stones.
You have a transformed yard with a stunning new layout that takes minimal upkeep and will endure for many years to come once you’ve completed all your hard labor.
