All you need to know about geotextile for artificial grass
Why should I lay geotextile under my artificial grass ? Is it essential to install geotextile when landscaping ? Our experts have taken the time to write this blog article and give you all the keys to understanding and choosing this protective underlay.
Summary :
1. What is the purpose of geotextile for artificial grass ?
2. Does water pass through the geotextile ?
3. What are the disadvantages of a geotextile for artificial grass ?
4. Is it necessary to put sand under my artificial grass geotextile ?
5. What are the differences between different geotextiles for artificial grass ?
6. Is geotextile for artificial grass compatible with all types of soil ?
What is the purpose of geotextile for artificial grass ?
What does geotextile under artificial turf actually do ? Quite simply, to protect your lawn and prevent weeds from growing through it. The purpose of installing artificial grass in your garden is certainly related to its ease of maintenance. Imagine an artificial lawn full of weeds !
Thanks to the geotextile's properties, which act as a protective underlay, rest assured that your artificial lawn will be protected for many years to come. At Exelgreen, our geotextile weighs 120g, the ideal weight to ensure the durability of your artificial grass.
Our advice ? To make sure you're not bothered by weeds, you can weed your surface before laying your geotextile. Finally, the geotextile will also protect your soil from the heat, reducing the temperature of your fake lawn by a few degrees in the summer months. Brown in color, it will become completely invisible once installed under your artificial lawn.
Does water pass through the geotextile ?
Geotextile is a draining covering and is capable of evacuating large quantities of water in addition to your artificial turf. These drainage properties will prevent your artificial grass from becoming muddy over time when laid on earthen soil.
To guarantee the longevity of your geotextile and your landscaping, we strongly recommend that you prepare your installation surface beforehand. To sum up, level your soil, weed it if necessary, lay your geotextile and then secure it with your artificial grass. We offer installation tutorials here if you'd like to find out more and be sure of a successful installation.
Our artificial grass is also draining, as it is perforated with small holes every 10 cm, enabling it to evacuate the equivalent of a heavy rainfall. Remember that these materials have been designed and engineered for outdoor installation, so don't worry : geotextile and artificial grass are designed to withstand the elements.
What are the disadvantages of a geotextile for artificial grass ?
Geotextile has few disadvantages, as it is a protective underlay that will become invisible once installed under your fake lawn. It will, however, cost you extra to install your artificial turf correctly, and is highly recommended for installation in a garden or on soft ground.
At Exelgreen, we offer two roll sizes to suit your project and budget. As mentioned above, it's imperative to lay your geotextile on prepared soil. This preparation may sometimes seem tricky, but it will ensure that your lawn stays beautiful over time. Geotextile has no particular laying direction, so it's easy to unroll on your surface. Like all floor coverings, it could tear over the years if poorly installed or of poor quality.
So it's best to choose a fairly thick weight to avoid any surprises ! As you can see, geotextile has no real disadvantages if you take the time to follow the installation steps and buy a quality geotextile for artificial grass.
Is it necessary to put sand under my artificial grass geotextile ?
Sand under your geotextile is only necessary if your soil is very uneven. This will give your garden an even, clean surface on which to lay your artificial lawn. If levelling is necessary, be sure to use sand with a grain size between 0/2 and 0/4. Beware : sand that's too fine will prevent your geotextile and artificial lawn from draining rainwater properly. You'll find suitable sand in any DIY store.
Once the ground has been levelled with sand, install your geotextile so that it covers the entire installation surface. There's no need to fasten it to the ground, as geotextile has no particular laying direction and is easy to cut with a cutter. Then unroll your rolls of turf, respecting the direction in which they're laid (I insist, all the rolls must be laid in the same direction).
Finally, fasten your geotextile and grass together using fastening clips to be placed all around the perimeter of your lawn. Brush your fake lawn in the opposite direction using a stiff bristle brush, and enjoy your new living space !
What are the differences between different geotextiles for artificial grass ?
On the market, you'll find both woven and non-woven geotextiles. What are the differences ? Non-woven geotextiles are made from a mixture of fibers, making them more flexible, easier to handle, more economical and lighter. In general, this is the type of geotextile you'll find on the market to carry out your work, as they have better filtering and draining properties. The Exelgreen geotextile is proof of this. Available in 60m2 or 15m2, you can order the quantity you need. In roll form, our non-woven felt geotextile makes laying artificial turf a breeze.
A woven geotextile is a set of threads firmly compacted together, with a robust structure. These geotextiles are generally stronger, but offer low permeability and are therefore not recommended for your artificial turf installation. In addition, woven geotextiles must be cut carefully to avoid any risk of tearing.
There are also a number of different densities and grammages. To optimize the installation of your artificial turf, a grammage of between 100 and 150 g/m2 is ideal. We advise against using too heavy a weight, as this could impair the drainage of your artificial grass.
Is geotextile for artificial grass compatible with all types of soil ?
Geotextile can be installed on all types of surface, just like your artificial grass. Preventing weeds from growing back, it is especially useful on earth, clay or loose soils, but can also protect your tiles if grass grows between the joints.
Artificial grass is also compatible with all types of soil and surfaces. You'll be able to design your garden, terrace, balcony or any other outdoor space! Not sure which geotextile or turf to choose ? First, calculate the surface area of your project to find out how many m2 you need to cover. Our geotextile is available in rolls of 15m2 or 60m2, which will give you an idea of your needs.
As for our artificial grass, it's available in fixed widths and lengths of up to 30m per roll. Then, to choose your artificial grass, don't hesitate to order our €2 sample box and discover all our models. If you'd like more details to help you choose, we invite you to read our blogon the best artificial grass.
Geotextile is an essential protective underlay to ensure the longevity of your artificial grass. It will prevent unwanted weed growth and its insulating properties will reduce the impact of heat on your artificial grass. Don't wait any longer to realize your projects for ever greener spaces !
