Decking is often overlooked when it comes to the care and upkeep of a property. It gets walked on, has furniture placed on it, and is exposed to all types of weather conditions year-round. But one question that many homeowners ask themselves when they are looking to change their decking is Will Decking Rot Under Artificial Grass? This blog post will answer this question with other things to consider.
No, your decking will not rot under artificial grass. However, you will want to make sure that the base of the deck is not rotten. You will need to secure any structures under the decking as you will be covering it up.
Quality of Installed Decking
There are many factors to consider when deciding if your decking will survive a switch to artificial grass. The quality of the installed decking is an important factor, as some types of wood such as cedar and redwood weather better than others like pine or pressure-treated which can rot quickly in humid climates. If you have relatively new timber decking which is in good condition, it will likely last a long time under artificial grass.
Check for Wide Gaps
It is important to check for wide gaps in your decking which may allow water to collect and pool, potentially rotting the wood. Sealing these areas before installing artificial grass will help prevent them from getting wet during periods of heavy rainfall.
Clean and Clear the Surface
Once the deck is clean and clear of old grass, dirt and debris it’s time to install your new artificial lawn. Laying the best artificial grass on dirt and debris will cause a number of problems, so you will want to make sure the surface is clean before installing your new lawn.
Maintain Weed Membrane
Weed membrane is a thin layer of fabric that prevents weed seeds from germinating. It’s installed over the soil and artificial grass to completely seal in your lawn, so you won’t have to worry about weeds forming or contaminating the surface with their roots. You want this to cover the deck to stop any weeds from growing and damaging the decking.
Measure Gradient
For your artificial lawn to be installed correctly, you’ll need the right gradient.
If there are any slopes on the deck’s surface (going from higher to lower) then they should be at least a one percent slope in order for best results with installation. Anything less than this will cause problems like not being able to get enough water and fertilizer to the grass or it will not look natural.
A good place to check for this gradient is a deck’s edge where there isn’t any furniture, but if you want more precise measurements you can always use a level and measure from one side of your deck to the other with a distance of inches.
Check The Base
Another thing to consider is the base of your deck. If there are any rotting parts of the wood or if it’s cracked, you should replace it because that will cause problems for your new grass too.
Add Extra Shock Pad Layer
When installing your artificial grass, you’ll need to add a shock pad layer that will provide extra cushioning.
The purpose of this is to help relieve pressure from any hard surfaces underneath and make sure the installation looks as realistic as possible. Shock pads are available in different thicknesses so it’s important to measure the area first before ordering one.
Go with the thicker shock pad if it’s in a high traffic area, such as near a door or staircase. For fewer activity areas like your front yard, you can use thinner material for an installation.
You’ll also need to measure and cut the pad according to where it will be installed so that there is enough room around the perimeter for the grass to grow.
How To Install Artificial Grass On Decking
Installing artificial grass on decking is much easier than it is laying it in other areas of the backyard.
1. Clean the decking thoroughly
This can be done by pressure washing the area or scrubbing it down with a strong degreaser. Then, allow time for the decking to dry before proceeding further.
It’s important not only because of appearance but also safety — you don’t want slippery surfaces that could cause accidents during installation.
Don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia that can damage the wood.
If you decide to power wash your decking, be sure to wear eye protection and heavy-duty clothing because these processes may cause splatter and overspray.
You should also consider installing a paint guard before artificial grass installation for extra measure.
2. Lay down a weed barrier cloth or plastic sheeting to prevent weeds from growing through the artificial grass.
Place the weed barrier cloth or plastic sheeting over any wood, concrete, stone pavers, and other surfaces before laying artificial grass over it. You’ll want to make sure you cover as much area as possible so that weeds don’t grow up through your new installation.
Be sure not to stretch the material too tightly to avoid trapping air.
Use a staple gun or other type of fastener to secure the weed barrier cloth or plastic sheeting in place and prevent weeds from growing up underneath it.
Be sure not to use staples that are too long because they can puncture through the material, damaging your artificial grass installation.
3. Measure and cut out your turf in sections that are appropriate for the space you have available on your deck
Measure and cut out your turf in sections that are appropriate for the space you have available on your deck.
Try to avoid cutting them too long, as this can lead to seams getting pulled apart when they’re laid down.
Be sure not to stretch artificial grass too tightly or it will rip. Avoid using staples that are longer than the thickness of your material.
Make sure that you have enough turf to cover all corners and seams, as these areas are more prone to wear. For a larger area consider purchasing two rolls of artificial grass or using multiple pieces when laying down each piece
Measure four feet wide in one direction from any corner and cut off anything that overlaps
Measure in the other direction from that same corner and cut off anything that overlaps. Leave nothing for seams to hold onto.
Make a mark on either side of your artificial grass every three feet or so, starting at one end with the first row marked “row one” all the way down to your last piece.
4. Install each section of turf onto the decking with adhesive, nails, screws, or staples (depending on what type of artificial grass you have)
Once you have your artificial grass cut and in place, you will have to secure it to the decking.
Molex adhesive uses a chemical compound that adheres to both types of materials and will not come off with water or general use so long as you purchase the right type for your specific needs. Molex adhesive can also be used in areas like stairs where nails are difficult to attach, making it easier to get everything together without fuss.
If you can’t use adhesive then it’s possible to secure the turf with nails, screws, or staples. Keep in mind that when using any of these methods, you will need to drill pilot holes so the artificial grass doesn’t split and your decking isn’t damaged by rough edges.