f you’ve lived in West Texas or the Dallas–Fort Worth area, you know keeping a natural lawn green can be an uphill battle. Between scorching summers, unpredictable rain, and good ol’ Texas clay soil, it’s no wonder more homeowners and businesses are turning to artificial turf.
But once you decide to go turf, you’ve got two choices: roll up your sleeves and install it yourself or hire the pros at LBK Turf Guys the trusted artificial turf experts in Lubbock and DFW.
Let’s break it down step by step.
DIY Artificial Turf Installation (Step-by-Step)
Plenty of Texans are do-it-yourselfers, turf can be a multiple weekend warrior project if you’ve got the adequate time and the proper tools and equipment. ( even the pros schedule a 2-3 day project timeline so a do-it-yourselfers plan to start and finish the project in a weekend timeframe is VERY generous ) Here’s how it usually goes:
1. Prep and Clear the Ground
Remove grass and subsoil, weeds, and debris.
For bigger areas, you may need specialized equipment like a dingo or skid steer for removal and haul off. Small areas you can use a Sod cutter with rakes and shovels and wheel barrows to remove the rest of subsoil.
Excavate soil to a 4 inch depth
2. Build Your Base
Add and compact a crushed rock – WE SUGGEST A TRUE DRAIN MATERIAL
3. Roll Out the Turf – Let Acclimate
Make sure all the turf fibers face the same direction.
Cut to fit your space.
4.Seam and Marry the turf rolls together.
5.Secure the Turf
Use 5-6” turf nails.
Spread infill to weigh it down.
Brush fibers upright.
Result: It’ll look good at first, but over time edges may lift from improper tucking of edges, drainage can get tricky without professional grading and equipment, and without the right base material, the turf may not hold up over the test of time.
Professional Artificial Turf Installation with LBK Turf Guys
Now let’s talk about how the LBK Turf Guys in Lubbock and Dallas–Fort Worth gets the job done. Spoiler alert: this is more than just laying Turf, it’s about building a foundation that lasts.
1.DESIGN CONSULTATION
BEGIN WITH A THOROUGH ASSESSMENT, CHECKING THE GRADE, SLOPE, AND DRAINAGE, AND DETERMINING IF GUTTERS ARE NEEDED OR A SPECIALIZED DRAINAGE SYSTEM OR SOLUTION. DEVELOP A TAILORED DESIGN CONSIDERING USAGE FACTORS SUCH AS PETS, CHILDREN, HIGH OR LOW TRAFFIC AREAS, AND AESTHETIC PREFERENCES.
2.Tear out and removal
PREPARE THE SITE BY GRADING THE SUBSOIL AND REMOVING ALL ROCKS, WEEDS, GRASS, AND DIRT TO ACHIEVE A MINIMUM DEPTH OF 4 INCHES, ENSURING PROPER DRAINAGE WITH A CLEAN FOUNDATION.
3.Concrete Borders
Every installation includes a clean, smooth and structural concrete border. This insures a long lasting firm foundation of installation as well creating defined and durable boundaries of Turf area.
This prevents turf from shifting or lifting/sinking (a common problem in DIY installs).
Your Artificial Turf is a 15 year product, the border needs to stand the test of time… concrete does!
Plus, it gives your lawn that polished, high-end look.
4.Crushed Limestone Base
We don’t cut corners with generic gravel or rock.
Instead, LBK TURF GUYS developed our own mix specifically designed for artificial turf. We use a cleaned crushed limestone, that compacts tight for stability and firm foundation that is built for longevity. Designed with drainage in mind which is a must for dog areas and in Texas where rainstorms can dump buckets in minutes without warning.
5.Base Installation: WITH Concrete BORDERS CURED INSTALLERS WILL SPREAD AND COMPACT OUR DEVELOPED TRIPLE WASHED LIMESTONE AGGREGATE PROVIDING A FIRM FOUNDATION AND COMPLETE DRAINAGE TO PREVENT SMELLS AND FLOODING IN YARD.
- TURF MATERIAL ACCLIMATION: TO AVOID TURF WRINKLING OR SHRINKING UP OVER TIME DURING DIFFRENT SEASONS, THE INSTALLERS WILL ROLL OUT THE TURF IN THE YARD AND LET THE TURF MATERIAL ACCLIMATE. (MANY INSTALLERS RUSH OR SKIP THIS STEP)
- MARRY SEAMS AND COMPRESS THEM
USING HIGH STRENGTH GRADE SEAM TAPE AND GLUE.
INSTALLERS WILL CAREFULLY LINE UP ALL SEAMS AND COMPRESS THEM TO MAKE SURE THE GLUE ADHERES FULLY.
- Turf Installation & Grooming
Turf is laid to seamlessly, secured, and topped with proper infill. STRETCH TURF, TRIM AND NAIL IT DOWN
ONCE SEAMS HAVE ADHERED, INSTALLERS WILL STRETCH THE TURF TO THE EDGES TRIM IT AND NAIL IT DOWN USING 6″ GALVANIZED NAILS EVERY 4 INCHES AROUND PERIMETER.
8. BRUSH UP ALL FIBERS AND SAND IT
TO INSURE THE TURF BACKING AND FIBERS MAINTAIN THEIR INTEGRITY INSTALLERS WILL POWER BRUSH ALL THE TURF FIBERS TO STAND THEM UP AND USE A SILICA SAND INFILL TO HOLD THEM UPRIGHT AND STABILIZE TURF BACKING.
(ANNUAL RESAND IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
9.FINAL CLEANUP AND FINAL BROOMING – Final grooming makes it look lush, natural, and ready for backyard barbecues.
Result: A turf lawn built to handle West Texas winds, Texas-sized rainstorms, and all the foot traffic from family gatherings, tailgates, and pets. A 15 year lifespan expectancy!