Installing artificial grass in your outside area is a smart and trendy change, particularly for homes with children or pets. It increases the beauty and is an eco-friendly, easy-to-maintain option relative to typical lawns. But remember to get perfect and long-lasting artificial turf focus on the best sub-base for artificial grass.
If you lack the appropriate sub-base, you artificial grass’s attraction could be lost due to uneven surfaces, insufficient drainage, or harm from changing temperatures. Here we’ll review the most effective sub-base materials to ensure that the setup is solid, stable, and easy so that you can easily design your dream lawn.
What is a Sub Base and Why is it Important for Artificial Grass Installations?
Look into the sub-base for artificial grass like your home’s base. Just as a firm foundation keeps a building strong, the same goes for artificial grass.
The layer of gravel, crushed stone, or some other materials that lie below the turf is called the sub-base.
Its key roles include providing a firm base for the grass, ensuring adequate drainage, and preserving its longevity.
The sub-base might not appear to be the most pleasing or interesting component of setting artificial grass, but it is essential.
The grass holds in place and retains its outstanding appearance for many years with an accurate sub-base.
Say Goodbye to Your Grass Lawn
Nowadays, newly cut or vast green lawns are not considered ideal. These exceptionally well-maintained green lawns represent two things:
- Enormous water waste.
- Lost biodiversity possibilities.
Climate change is also due to the effects of commonly used sod lawns. In the US, grassy landscapes are estimated to use over 3 trillion gallons of water, 200 million gallons of gas for grass cutting, and 70 million pounds of chemicals annually.
Typical turf grass offers hardly any rich or productive biodiversity to ecosystems. Also, the rainwater flow of conventional lawns carries harmful chemicals that can add to our rivers, lakes, and streams causing water pollution.
Is Artificial Turf Sustainable?
Relative to natural lawns, artificial grass demands less water and chemical treatments for protection. It is also not effective for pollinators.
So, I suggest considering native natural environments that offer a more desirable and sustainable alternative to traditional grass.
Artificial grass is still an environmentally friendly option, though. It reduces the negative ecological effect of lawns by requiring less maintenance, no watering, and pruning while avoiding chemicals and harmful pesticides.
But Isn’t Artificial Grass Made from Plastic?
No doubt, plastic is processed to make artificial grass. But at the end of their productive lifespans, synthetic turf objects can be recycled because most are produced from recyclable substances. So you should be careful and select a source of recyclable goods.
3 Best Sub-Base for Artificial Grass
These three major kinds of artificial sub-bases offer strength, longevity, and adequate water flow for the turf’s durability. Let’s discuss their key aspects in detail.
1. Crushed Miscellaneous Base (CMB)
Crushed Miscellaneous Base
It is formed by the blend of recycled concrete, gravel, sand, and asphalt available in pieces of size 3/4 inches. Let’s discuss its main features:
- Common for installs in homes.
- Low-priced, ideal for those with limited money.
- Compacts well, however, leveling can be difficult sometimes.
- In some places, it’s hard to find.
- Drains slowly because of its impermeable nature.
- Not suggested in regions with plenty of rain or pet waste.
2. Decomposed Granite (DG) / Limestone Chippings
Decomposed Granite or Limestone Chippings
Weathered granite or limestone gets mixed with sand, gravel, and clay particles to make Limestone chippings or Decomposed Granite (DG). Its main characteristics are:
- Perfect for applying in the backyard.
- Superb for setting greens, and more refined than CMB.
- Because it is porous, it provides efficient runoff.
- More costly choice.
- Not evenly compressed.
- Available in regular sizes
3. Class II Road Base: Best Sub-Base for Artificial Grass on Commercial Level
Class II Road Base for Artificial Grass
A more expensive form of CMB, Class II Road Base is mainly used for huge commercial projects such as setting greens for more stable surfaces and football fields. Its major features are:
- Passes thorough quality control checks and screening.
- Appropriate for sports and industrial setups.
- Greater in cost and useless for household purposes.
How to Prepare the Ground Before Installing Sub Base
Now you can easily select the grass sub-base according to your requirements. Let’s find out the process of preparing the ground before installation.
Take out all kinds of plants, stones, and roots from the surface. To make sure that the turf stands at the proper height, remove extra soil to make a 4′′ (100mm) sub-base deep level.
Use a compactor to balance the ground level and make it smooth as well as compact.
Site Preparation: Excavation & Clearing
Lawn prepration for artifitial grass installation
The first step is to sweep away any unwanted things or garbage, independent of your surface material as concrete, gravel, or natural grass. As a result, the artificial turf possesses a clean and clear base.
- Grass Removal: To create a spotless and smooth area for your base layer, cut off any standing grass with a turf cutter, keeping in mind to dig at least two to three inches deep.
- Clear Rocks and Debris: After removing existing grass, check that it is clear of rocks, growth of weeds, and debris. This provides a level, uniform surface for the fitting of your artificial turf.
- Use Weed Killer: If you are living in an area where aggressive weeds are common, then weed killer is a better option. This will stop useless plants from spreading through the artificial grass.
Compacting the Sub-Base Material
The most important step to successfully making your artificial grass level, seamless, and properly drained is base preparation.
- Add Crushed Stone Or Broken Granite: A 2-4 inch deep layer of class II road base or crushed stone is perfect to apply. This substance provides a solid base and good drainage.
- Level the Base: Make sure there are no stumbles or slopes in the base material by distributing it properly throughout the surface with a rake. This will help to make even layers in your final surface.
Compact the Base: Compressing the base is a key step in the procedure. To effectively blend the material, use a kind of compactor or tamper. If the base layer is thoroughly packed, your artificial turf remains in place or settles over time.
Other Materials to Consider in Your Installation
Granite Dust Laying Course
A one-inch thick layer of granite dust added to the sub-base is called a laying course. It gives a flat and smooth surface to install the artificial grass.
Weed Membrane
Weed membrane is beneficial for synthetic lawns. By holding the sub-base independent of the soil, it prevents weeds from developing through the grass and protects it from sinking.
Sand Layer
Sand is also an effective base material for your synthetic turf. It is suggested to use rough, sharp builders’ sand for at least a 1-2 inch depth. It helps in the quick drainage of excess water through the artificial grass carpet. Its major drawback is that, if not appropriately restricted to its area, it may slowly dissolve or shift.
Infill Layer
Infill material, generally sand or rubber crumbs, is dispersed and brushed into the turf shortly after the artificial grass has been laid out. This fixes turf in place, holds the grass blades, and maintains its straight position for a uniform appearance. Infill is certainly one of the most vital components of a successful synthetic grass installation.
It covers the outer layer from UV and heat radiation, which may harm the fabric and cause it to break down much sooner than you may think. Meanwhile, by shielding the blades from excessive force during play or walking on your lawn, infill assists in minimizing regular wear and tear.
Alternatives to Crushed Rock Base
Crushed stone is a common option as it encourages flow and keeps the turf’s structure. The substance lets water flow through efficiently, preventing it from collecting in one place. Its compactness makes a strong base and stops the turf from altering or creating dips over time. Certain alternatives are more affordable, simpler to install, or ideal for particular surfaces and environments. Let’s examine two well-liked replacements below:
Ultra Base – An Alternative to Crushed Rock
Ultra base for artifitial grass installation
Ultra-Base panels are also preferable as a sub-base. They offer a more efficient flow besides serving as an underlying base system. The unique vertical and horizontal drainage features of Ultra-Base panels’ developed design enable rainwater to pass horizontally through the panel’s outside drain ports or filter into the soil.
Additionally, the sheets’ special design allows them to hold rainwater beneath them, which minimizes the risk of waterlogging and provides your artificial grass with a more powerful base. Usage of Ultra-Base panels as a sub-base for artificial grass offers more effective drainage, sturdy support, and specific water-holding capabilities.
Thus, your lawn will remain in its best shape for many years to come.
Asphalt Sub-Base
Asphalt creates a solid, flawless, balanced surface under your turf. When placing turf over an existing asphalt path or tennis court, this is probably the best option. It is also feasible to lay down and compact fresh asphalt. It confirms excellent drainage. Thermally resistant turf may be required because asphalt can become very hot in bright sunlight.
So, Which is the Best Base Material for Artificial Grass?
To select the ideal sub-base material for installing artificial grass, you must think about a few key points.
- Soil Type: If your clay-heavy soil fails to soak up well, you must use a sub-base with greater drainage qualities, like crushed stone or gravel. A more stable sub-base, such as a class II road base, could prove useful for sandy soil.
- Climate: To avoid transforming, a sub-base with sufficient drainage and flexibility is crucial in regions with excessive precipitation or cycles of freeze-thawing. In such cases, crushed stone functions well.
- Use: To resist extra wear and tear, a more solid sub-base composed of crushed concrete or compacted gravel is the best choice for high-traffic areas or sports fields. In case of low-traffic lawns or inserting greens, choose a sub-base of sand or segmented granite, as it is not very durable.
- Commercial Usage: Asphalt sub-base is recommended for commercial purposes as it is costly and requires professional expertise.
Pros and Cons of Each Base
Every sub-base substance has its strengths and drawbacks. Let’s discuss them below:
| Sub-Base Type | Pros | Cons |
| Crushed Rock Base | Excellent drainageStable and long-lastingMore forgiving surface than concrete | It can be challenging to clean.May track into your house |
Decomposed Granite (DG) | Smooth finishGood compactionNatural look | Less drainage than gravel Can erode over timeMore expensive than other optionsCan settle unevenly over time |
| Concrete | Extremely stableDurable and strong | Hard surfaceIt can get very hot in direct sunlight |
| Sand Base | InexpensiveEasy to install | Can shift over time, reducing stabilityMay harbor bacteria, especially with pets |
| Class II Road Base | High load-bearing capacityGood compactionCost-effective | Moderate drainageMay require an additional top layer for turf |
| Asphalt Sub-Base | Strong and stableSmooth surfaceSuitable for heavy traffic | Poor drainageIt can get very hotMore costly to install |
| Ultra Base Systems | Lightweight interlocking panelsFast installationGreat drainageReusable and portable | Higher upfront costMay not suit heavy vehicle traffic areas |
Final Thoughts
For small to moderately sized places, synthetic turf is a great replacement for typical sod if provided with the best sub-base for artificial grass.
It is not recommended for your broad front or backyard settings, but ideal for outdoor spaces, pet areas, and children’s play spaces.
Large artificial lawns, however, may cost more to take care of. But I think growing natural landscapes for your side yard with native plants that create habitats for wildlife requires minimal care, and producing magnificent natural landscapes may be more suitable.
In short, sustainable landscaping solutions for small spaces, like artificial grass, can be an excellent fit for creating a serene and low-maintenance environment.
FAQs
What is the best base to put under artificial grass?
The ideal base for quality, water flow, and durability is made from crushed stone or gravel.
What is best to lay under artificial grass?
If you want to prevent sinking and weed growth, a weed membrane and a sub-base layer of crushed stone or decomposed granite give you remarkable results.
What is the cheapest sub-base for artificial grass?
The least expensive sub-base choice is Crushed Miscellaneous Base (CMB).
How deep should the subbase be for artificial grass?
The subbase needs to be 4 inches (100 mm) deep for valuable support and water drainage.