What to Expect During Artificial Turf Installation

Getting artificial turf installed is a big decision, and I know most people have no idea what the process actually looks like. After thousands of installations across North Georgia, I want to walk you through exactly what happens—from the moment we pull up to your property to the moment we hand you the keys to your new yard.

Understanding the process helps you prepare your property, set realistic expectations for timeline and disruption, and honestly, it helps you spot the difference between a quality installer and a corner-cutter. So let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Site Assessment and Measurement

Before any work begins, we come out and look at your property. This isn’t just measuring square footage—though that’s part of it. We’re evaluating the existing soil conditions (Georgia’s red clay is always a factor), checking the grade and drainage patterns, identifying any sprinkler systems or underground utilities, and understanding how the space will be used.

For example, if you have dogs, we need to plan for enhanced drainage. If the area has heavy shade from trees, we’ll recommend a different turf product than a full-sun area. Every property is different, and skipping this step leads to problems down the road.

We also discuss the scope of work—are we doing just the backyard? Front and back? Are there any hardscape elements (pavers, borders, stepping stones) that need to integrate with the turf? All of this gets mapped out before we give you a final quote.

Step 2: Removing the Existing Surface

Installation day starts with demolition. We need to remove whatever’s currently there—natural grass, weeds, old landscaping, or existing hardscape. For most Georgia properties, this means stripping the existing sod and topsoil down to a depth of about 3-4 inches below the desired finished grade.

This is the messy part. We use sod cutters for large areas and hand tools for tight spots around trees, along fence lines, and near existing structures. All the material gets hauled away. If you have a sprinkler system, we’ll cap and abandon the heads in the turf area during this step.

On a typical residential backyard (1,000-2,000 sq ft), demolition and removal takes about half a day.

Step 3: Grading and Base Preparation

This is the step that separates professional installations from cheap ones. The base is everything. If the base isn’t right, your turf will have drainage problems, uneven surfaces, and a shorter lifespan.

We start by grading the exposed soil to create proper drainage away from your home’s foundation. Then we install a weed barrier fabric over the soil—this prevents anything from growing up through the turf.

Next comes the base material. We use crushed stone aggregate (typically Class II road base or decomposed granite) laid in 2-3 inch lifts. Each lift gets compacted with a plate compactor until it’s rock-solid and perfectly smooth. The finished base should be firm enough that you can walk on it without leaving footprints.

For Georgia’s clay soil specifically, proper base prep is critical because clay doesn’t drain well on its own. The crushed stone base creates a drainage layer that moves water away efficiently. In some cases, we’ll also install French drains or additional drainage fabric for properties with known water issues.

Step 4: Laying the Turf

With the base prepped, we roll out the artificial turf. This is where the artistry comes in. The turf arrives in rolls that are typically 15 feet wide. For most yards, we need multiple pieces, which means seams.

We lay out each piece and position it so the grain (the direction the blades lean) runs the same way throughout the yard. Then we trim the edges to fit perfectly around curves, trees, planters, borders, and any other obstacles. This trimming is done with carpet knives and requires a steady hand—you can’t undo a bad cut.

Where two pieces of turf meet, we create a seam. Professional seaming involves pulling back the edges, laying down seam tape and adhesive, then pressing the two pieces together so the blades blend across the joint. A good seam should be invisible once infill is applied. If you can see the seam from standing height, the installer didn’t do it right.

Step 5: Securing the Perimeter

The turf needs to be anchored around its entire perimeter. We use 5-6 inch galvanized landscape spikes driven through the turf and into the base every 4-6 inches along the edges. Where turf meets concrete, pavers, or edging, we secure it with adhesive and nails for a clean, tight edge.

We also nail down the seams from the back side and add additional securing where needed—like around trees or in areas that get strong water flow during heavy rain.

Step 6: Infill Application

Infill is the unsung hero of a great turf installation. It’s the material that goes between the turf blades—usually silica sand, crumb rubber, or a specialized product. Infill does three important things: it weighs the turf down, it supports the blades so they stand upright, and it creates the cushioned feel underfoot.

We spread infill using a drop spreader, working it into the turf fibers. For most residential applications, we use about 1-2 pounds of infill per square foot. The type of infill depends on the application—we use antimicrobial infill for pet areas, cooling infill for sunny spots, and standard silica sand for general use.

After spreading, we brush the entire surface with a power broom to work the infill down to the base of the blades. This also stands the fibers upright, giving the turf that fresh, natural appearance.

Step 7: Final Inspection and Walkthrough

Before we pack up, we do a detailed inspection of every inch. We check seams, edges, drainage, infill coverage, and overall appearance. Then we walk the property with you, point out everything we’ve done, and go over maintenance instructions.

We also make sure any displaced landscaping, walkway materials, or irrigation components have been cleaned up or properly adjusted. Your property should look better than when we arrived—not just the turf area, but the whole yard.

Timeline: How Long Does It Take?

For a typical Georgia residential installation:

• Small yard (under 500 sq ft): 1 day
• Medium yard (500-1,500 sq ft): 1-2 days
• Large yard (1,500-3,000 sq ft): 2-3 days
• Full property (3,000+ sq ft): 3-5 days

Weather can affect the timeline. Georgia’s summer storms can delay work, and we won’t compact base material in heavy rain because it won’t set properly. We always build weather contingency into our scheduling.

What You Can Do to Prepare

To help installation go smoothly, here are a few things you can do before we arrive:

• Clear the area of furniture, toys, planters, and any personal items
• Make sure we have gate access or a clear path to the backyard
• Mark any underground utilities you’re aware of (we’ll call 811 too)
• Arrange for pets to be kept inside or off-site during installation
• Let your neighbors know there will be some construction noise

That’s it. Our crew handles everything else from start to finish. After 20+ years doing this in North Georgia, we’ve got the process dialed in tight. Your job is just to enjoy the new yard when we’re done.