How can I permanently fix my artificial grass to a concrete floor ?
There are several solutions for fixing your artificial grass to a concrete floor. Why choose a permanent fixing on a hard surface ? Is artificial grass resin suitable for all surfaces ? And how can you permanently fix your artificial grass ? That's what we're going to find out in this article.
Summary :
1. What accessories should I use to attach my artificial grass to concrete ?
2. How do I apply the special resin for artificial grass to my concrete slab ?
3. Why nail my artificial grass to a concrete floor ?
4. Once laid, how do I straighten the strands of my artificial grass on a concrete surface ?
5. Is there a right time to lay my artificial grass on a hard surface ?
6. How can I make invisible joints on a concrete slab ?
7. How do I lay artificial grass on soil ?
8. How do I choose the right artificial grass for my project ?
What accessories should I use to fix my artificial grass to concrete ?
Artificial grass is a durable, economical and solid covering. There are several solutions if you want to securely fix it to your floor for many years to come. At Exelgreen, we advise you to adapt your choice of fixing to the size of your concrete surface to be covered.
Hard surfaces such as balconies or terraces (less than 30m2) : use double-sided tape, fastening patches, planters installed around the edges of your artificial grass, or nail screws all around. If your surface area exceeds 30 m2, we advise you to use a stronger fastener.
Hard surfaces such as terraces, roof terraces, concrete walkways (over 30m2) : for permanent fixing, you can use resin. Your artificial grass will then be permanently fixed to your floor. For permanent fixing to concrete, several precautions must be taken when using resin. Once opened, it's imperative to use it and avoid laying your turf in temperatures that are too cold or too hot. The two-component resin must be mixed uniformly, and the notched spatula must not be too wide. Be careful not to stick the strands together, as this may damage your artificial grass.
How do I apply the special artificial grass resin to my concrete slab ?
If you opt for a solid, permanent fixing, use polyurethane resin. One pot of resin will enable you to glue about 20 linear meters of fake lawn.
It's very easy to use : first, mix the two components. To make your seams, apply the glue with a notched spatula to a blank seaming strip, then fix your turf strips to each other by applying pressure along the entire length.
To glue your artificial grass, apply the resin directly around the perimeter of your concrete surface, then lay your artificial grass. Apply pressure for better adhesion, then brush your artificial grass in the opposite direction to that in which it was laid, and you're done !
It's also quite possible to make splices with your resin. Once you're sure of the dimensions and the desired result, apply the resin to the junction strip before tying the rolls together. Resin joints are recommended for large concrete surfaces, or any other hard-floor surface over 30m2.
Why nail my artificial grass to a concrete floor ?
Nailing your artificial grass to your concrete surface with hammer-in anchors is an alternative fixing method. Place your pegs every metre around the perimeter of your artificial lawn. The result is a solid fixing that can be removed if required. If the frequency of use is high and you want to reinforce your fixing to your concrete floor, you can fit knock-in plugs every 50cm.
Fixing your artificial grass is an important step in prolonging the life of your artificial grass.
Please note : we strongly advise you not to nail down your strips when making your joints. Use only suitable jointing strips so that they are virtually invisible. Here you'll find all the steps for successfully laying your artificial turf on a hard surface. If you nail your joints, the result will be less harmonious, as the nails will make your joint very visible.
If you don't want to nail your artificial grass, remember that you can use other types of accessories. We suggest fixing patches or double-sided tape. These fasteners can also be used all around your artificial grass, enabling you to remove your artificial grass if you need to.
Once laid, how do I straighten the blades of my artificial grass on a concrete surface ?
You have several options for straightening the blades of your artificial grass. Use a stiff-bristled broom such as a road sweeper, or an electric brush, and brush your artificial grass in the opposite direction to the blades. This operation should be repeated as often as necessary, but in general, brushing your artificial grass once or twice a year is sufficient.
Cleaning is equally simple : most of the time, all you need is a little soapy water or white vinegar, and your artificial grass will be back to its former glory. For dusting, you can use a vacuum cleaner or simply wait for it to rain. As you can see, it couldn't be simpler !
In autumn, if dead leaves fall on your artificial lawn, you can also use a low-pressure water jet. Be careful, however, not to use too much water pressure, which could damage the blades of your lawn.
In case of snow or ice, we advise against walking on your artificial grass. If you have no choice, remove excess snow with a rubber shovel to avoid breaking the blades of your lawn.
Is there a good time to lay my artificial grass on a hard surface ?
On hard or soft ground, it's best to lay your artificial turf during the summer months and in dry weather. Artificial grass is then more malleable, and summer temperatures make it easier to lay your artificial grass. Nevertheless, soil preparation plays an important role in the durability of your artificial grass. In general, our customers prefer to install it in the spring, so that they can enjoy it to the full during the summer.
Whatever the size of your concrete surface, it must be clean and free of debris. Check that water drains properly to avoid any undesirable stagnation, then weed the surface if necessary. You may also need to level the surface to make it completely flat.
Whether your surface is paved or not, it's important to respect the direction in which your lawn is laid. Stand at your main viewing point, then unroll your artificial turf. If you need to cover a hard surface requiring joints, even around a swimming pool, remember that all the grass strips must be laid in the same direction. This is a very important criterion for optimum results.
How do you create invisible joints on a concrete slab ?
To create invisible joints on a concrete slab or any other surface, there are several steps to follow.
First, place your artificial grass and join the strips edge to edge until they meet perfectly. Then, if necessary, cut the edge of each strip by positioning the cutter between two lines of thread. These lines will serve as markers for a virtually invisible seam. Replace the strips edge to edge.
Secondly, cut the ends of your fake lawn to the size of your concrete surface. Lift up your strips and apply the pre-glued seam strip or the blank seam strip with resin. Fold the strips over as close as possible to each other, applying pressure to ensure a good bond between the synthetic grass and the joint strip.
All that's left to do is fix your lawn to the concrete surface with the fastener of your choice, then brush it off in the opposite direction to the way it was laid, to restore its full splendour !
If you're using resin for joints, take the time to read the instructions carefully and avoid gluing the strands together. As for pre-glued splicing strips, if your surface area exceeds 30m2, it's best to use strong fastening strips. Our splicing strips are also available in 3m and 10m lengths. You'll find everything you need in our accessories section to help you lay your concrete slab.
How do you make artificial grass stand up on soil ?
To fix artificial grass on soil, we recommend the use of fixing grapples. Fixing grapples are placed along the entire length of your artificial turf, their serrated teeth ensuring excellent adhesion on loose surfaces. Thanks to their brown heads, they blend in perfectly with your artificial grass and become invisible.
Loose soil also requires ground preparation. Your soil needs to be compacted, flat and weeded. To prevent the proliferation of weeds in your artificial lawn, the use of geotextile is highly recommended. To level out your soil, you can use 0/3 or 0/4 grain sand, which you can find in many DIY stores. Be careful not to use sand that is too thick, as this will impair rainwater drainage. All our artificial turf products are draining, and the geotextile will also allow water to pass through. If your surface is very large, or requires extensive levelling, it is also possible to have it laid by a professional. The price will be higher, but you'll get the results of a professional installation.
Once you've laid your artificial lawn, brush it to restore its full volume and enjoy your new relaxation area !
How do I choose the right artificial grass for my project ?
When choosing your artificial grass, it's important to take several criteria into consideration. Do you prefer a soft or resilient artificial grass ? Short or long ? Fir green or a lighter shade of green ? Which UV guarantee do you prefer ? 6, 8 or 10 years ?
If you're still unsure, you can order our €2 sample box, which will give you a copy of all our permanent artificial grass products for comparison. On a concrete surface, our customers often choose strand heights between 30 and 40mm. These are very comfortable, low-maintenance and soft underfoot. These artificial turfs will look like a beautiful lawn that's just been mowed.
Natura 38mm and Campus 38mm are perfectly suited to concrete surfaces. And if you want ultra-realistic artificial turf, why not opt for Diamond 3D 38mm or Real C 3D 38mm ? If you want a very short look, we recommend strand heights between 20 and 25mm.
Discover Park 20mm or Stadium 20mm, artificial turfs with unbeatable value for money. And if you're looking for a bargain, you're sure to find your ideal artificial turf in our stock clearance section.
We are also present at many of our retail partners with samples available.
To fix your artificial grass to a concrete surface, you can choose from a range of fixing accessories. Scotch tape, patches, resin or nails, adapt your fixing to the size of your surface. Discover our wide range of permanent and off-the-shelf artificial grass products and embellish your living spaces with a beautiful touch of green !
