A guide to Installing Artificial Grass Between Pavers
Emily Greenfield
March 10, 2022
A guide to Installing Artificial Grass Between Pavers
Installing artificial grass between pavers gives your patio, walkway, or backyard a clean, finished look without the weeds, mud, or upkeep of real grass. It takes more precision than a standard turf lawn install, but the process is straightforward if you follow the right order of steps.
Can You Install Artificial Grass Between Pavers?
Yes. Installing synthetic grass between pavers works similarly to a standard turf installation, with one key difference: the pavers go down first, then the turf goes in around them. Doing it in reverse, laying grass first and cutting pavers into it, usually damages the turf and leaves a rougher finished edge.
Combining pavers with artificial turf gives a garden a neater, more defined look than loose surfacing materials or real grass, which tend to spill, shift, or die out between hardscape edges.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
- Artificial grass
- Utility knife with a fresh, sharp blade
- Turf nails or landscape staples
- Hand tamper (or a brick and hammer for tight gaps)
- Class II road base or a compactable sub-base material
- Seaming tape and turf adhesive
- Infill (sand, rubber, or cork blend)
- Stiff-bristle broom
How to Install Artificial Grass Between Pavers: Step-by-Step
Installing pavers with artificial grass between them does add a few extra steps and considerations to the project. To get the best results, we recommend having your artificial grass installed by one of our experts. If you are confident in your DIY abilities, however, the process is not too complicated. Here is our step by step guide to installing artificial grass between pavers:
1. Choose the Right turf
The edges of your artificial turf are subject to the most wear and tear, so durability is an important consideration when installing thin strips of synthetic grass between pavers. Shorter piles such as our Gold or Riviera products help to prevent tripping and snagging that can damage the turf as well as present a danger.
2. Prepare the Surface
Artificial turf needs a level surface and a compacted base to hold its shape. The right base material depends on what’s underneath:
- Over dirt or soil: remove 2 to 4 inches of existing ground material to make room for the base layer.
- Over concrete or other hard surfaces: check drainage first. Concrete won’t absorb water the way soil does, so you may need drainage holes drilled before installing turf.
For gaps between pavers, use a harder base material that compacts well and holds level with the pavers over time.
3. Set Up Drainage
Keep the drainage fill elevation less than half an inch below ground level once compacted. Use a hand tamper to compact evenly. Uneven compaction lets turf settle unevenly over time, which creates trip hazards and lets water pool underneath, both of which can damage the turf.
4. Install a Sub-Base Layer
Laying and compacting sub-base in between pavers is an annoying task. Most tamping tools, even hand tampers, won’t fit in the space. However, you can improvise an effective solution with a brick or plank that will fit into these gaps and hitting it with a hammer or mallet.
5. Lay The Artificial Grass and Secure The Edge with Nails
Roll the artificial grass over the pavers and let it sit for at least 4 hours. This gives the fibers time to recover from packaging and lets the backing start to mold around the paver edges. Keep all turf ribbons facing the same direction, and leave a slight overlap between ribbons for easier trimming later.
Once it’s rested, nail the turf down temporarily (about 1 inch apart) so it holds still while you cut. On concrete or other surfaces where nails won’t work, weigh the turf down instead.
Quick tip: check the blade direction first. Run your hand across the turf. One direction feels soft, the other feels slightly prickly. Lay every strip with the soft direction facing the same way so the finished look is seamless and the color reads evenly from any angle.
6. Cut Turf Ribbons
This step requires a lot of care to get the best look.
Carefully cut around the edge of each paver, keeping the knife pressed against the side of the paver at a consistent angle. Make short cuts angled upwards and away from your body, using your other hand to roll the turf and pull the ribbon taut.
Cutting the turf in this way makes it easier to avoid damaging the turf, and also makes the job safer for you. Swapping out your utility knife with a fresh, sharp blade also makes the job easier and safer by reducing unexpected snags.
7. Adhere the Sections Together
Now you need to attach all of the turf ribbons to each other to create a seamless lawn. Trim the edges of each ribbon to create a gap of about half an inch between each ribbon. The grass fibers will hide this gap. If the bottom of each mat were to meet, this would create lines of bunched-up fibers on your lawn that are unsightly.
Then you can glue the ribbons together. Fold the edges back and lay jointing tape, with the shiny side face down. Hold the grass back and press down on the tape to spread the adhesive. Try to keep the blades of grass from getting onto the glue.
8. Install Infill
All that is left to do now is install the infill. Infill is a type of fine sediment made of various materials such as sand, rubber, or cork. It helps to keep grass blades upright, cool the lawn, and aid in drainage.
When installing artificial grass between pavers, make sure that you add the infill slowly and precisely, as each narrow strip of turf needs even distribution of infill. Give the artificial grass a firm brushing to fluff up the fibers and make things look more natural, and you are all done!
To get more of our expert tips on artificial grass installation, contact us today to discuss your next garden project.
How Wide Should the Gap Be Between Pavers and Turf?
Gap width depends on the look you’re going for:
- 1/8″ to 1/4″: a tight, seamless edge. Leaves a small allowance for expansion and contraction with temperature changes, and helps with drainage.
- 2″ to 4″: a wider, more natural planted look, common for stepping-stone paths or garden borders.
Whichever width you choose, keep hardscape edges clean before cutting your turf. Leftover concrete or stone debris in the gap makes it harder to get a tight, secure edge.
FAQs
Can you install artificial grass between pavers?
Yes, you can. Installing turf between pavers is very similar to installing an artificial lawn, with a few key differences.
What tools do you need to install artificial grass between pavers?
You’ll need artificial grass, a sharp utility knife, turf nails, a hand tamper, sub-base material, seaming tape and adhesive, and infill.
Do you need a different base for concrete versus dirt?
Yes. Dirt or soil needs 2 to 4 inches removed for the base layer. Concrete needs a drainage check first, since it won’t absorb water the way soil does.
Caring for Your Turf After Installation
Once your turf is in, upkeep is minimal. Rinse it occasionally to clear dust and debris, and brush high-traffic areas every few months to keep the fibers standing upright. If a section ever gets damaged, you can cut it out and patch in a new strip rather than replacing the whole area. With proper care, Festival Turf products are built to last 20 to 25 years.
Ready to start your paver project? Order a free sample to check the color and texture in person, or browse our full range of artificial grass products. Every roll comes backed by our 15-year warranty. Contact us with any questions on your next project.
