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How exactly is artificial turf installed?

Not every installation follows the exact same stages below.  Every pitch is different because each synthetic pitch is custom-made. Desso Sports is happy to help you make the right choice for your synthetic pitch.

Stage 1. Excavation
The proposed pitch area is excavated to a depth of 35cm and 50cm.

Stage 2. Laying the foundation layer
For good drainage the excavated area is filled with quartz sand or another water permeable material such as rubble, gravel or a mix of mineral matter.  Extra drainage is provided by means of drainage hoses.
Then a layer approximately 10cm deep, comprising a mixture of lava and/or rubber is applied on the foundation. Alternatively, an e-layer or elastic layer made from bonded rubber can be used. This top layer provides shock absorption and energy rebound and influences the technical sporting characteristics of the artificial pitch.

Stage 3. Rolling the foundation layer
The foundation layer applied is rolled until it is smooth and even.

Stage 4. Laying the geo-textile (not always)
Geo-textile (foil or root mat) can help ensure an even distribution of pressure over the  synthetic pitch.

Stage 5. Laying rolls of artificial grass
Each roll of artificial grass is rolled out carefully and put in position according to a laying plan. This plan is specially prepared by Desso Sports and is custom-made for each area of artificial grass.

Stage 6. Gluing
After rolling out the artificial grass, the seams are glued to seaming tape using a special artificial grass adhesive.

Stage 7. Cutting the line definition (if necessary)
Any game lines that run straight across or along the pitch can be tufted in during production. Other lines and features, such as the centre circle, have to be cut in on site by expert installers.

Stage 8. Pressing the glue seams
All seams receive extra pressing to ensure that they do not form weak spots in the artificial turf.  

Stage 9. Infill
Depending on the type of artificial turf and the sport for which the field is intended, the synthetic turf is in-filled with sand and/or rubber-like material (SBR, EPDM, TPE).  First, a machine precisely distributes the sand over the entire area. This is then brushed in thoroughly using a brushing machine.  If required, the rubber infill is then evenly applied.

Stage 10. Your pitch is finished
The average installation can take between 6 to 8 weeks. Your synthetic grass pitch is then ready for use. 

Can I install synthetic grass anywhere?

In principle you can install synthetic grass anywhere as long as the surface is even enough or can be made even to apply the artificial grass carpet in the correct way.

How do the artificial turf rolls stay in place? Do they not shift over time?

The infill keeps the rolls in place. Artificial grass rolls are not attached to the sub-base but allowed to “float” across it. As the rolls generally experience a natural process of expanding and contracting according to the weather conditions, if the rolls were fixed then this would cause them to tear and bending of the lines would occur.  Naturally the seams are always glued.

Can artificial turf be installed on an existing base?

Yes. For example if you have a football field with good drainage that is built of the right materials for a synthetic grass pitch (e.g. drainage sand), then no major works have to be carried out to install a synthetic pitch, although the technical sports layer (rubber/lava or similar) will still have to be installed.  Naturally, this method is very attractive from a financial point of view.  A Desso Sports specialist can evaluate whether your field is suitable for this.

How do I prepare the area for the installation of artificial turf?

Before starting the installation of artificial turf, the area is subject to a soil survey.  In addition a survey is carried out to check that there are no underground pipelines such as gas or water or underground watercourses. If everything is OK then the installation can start.

Do I have to provide drainage under the artificial turf?

Yes, drainage is always provided under artificial turf.  Not only are the materials comprising the sub-base extremely water permeable, but an additional pipe/hose system ensures that excess water is drained away efficiently. In this way, an artificial pitch will not become ‘waterlogged’ as can be the case with a natural pitch.

Does Desso Sports install the artificial turf itself?

For the installation of its artificial turf pitches, Desso Sports Systems cooperates with certified partners selected with care in each country.

How long does the installation of artificial turf take?

The installation period for artificial turf naturally depends on your project.  Laying the top layer takes 2 weeks. A total project including the base etc. takes 6 to 8 weeks on average.

How are poles, holes and other objects processed in an artificial turf?

Special apertures are set into the sub-base into which poles and similar can subsequently be inserted.  During installation of the artificial turf, the holes for these posts are cut into the turf by a specialist so that everything fits perfectly together.

How are the lines applied?

The straight game lines on the pitch can be tufted in during production.  Other markings and features such as the centre circle are installed on site by specialists who cut out the green material and replace it with different colour material using a special glue.

Can I request an installation handbook for artificial turf?

Yes. You can contact us for this via our contact form. Naturally guidance from Desso Sports Systems is always desirable.

How are the markings applied on a Desso GrassMaster?

To mark the lines on a Desso GrassMaster field, a special marking vehicle spraying water-soluble paint is used. The paint is resistant to water after drying for one hour.  Because the natural grass grows and is mown, the lines disappear after being mown a couple of times.  
Logos of the club and sponsors can also be painted on.  These are often applied to the edge of the field and are consequently also visible for longer.

How is the artificial turf delivered?

Once your artificial turf grass has been produced, the factory rolls it and wraps it in plastic.  It is then delivered to site by truck. On average, one artificial turf roll is 5 metres long and weighs around 750 kg.

How are the artificial turf rolls attached to each other? Can you see the seams?

Artificial turf rolls can be sewn or glued together, depending on the type of artificial turf you choose.  However, sewing the seams is rare and usually the seams are glued onto seaming tape.

Why does my field look so black at installation? Will it stay like that?

An artificial turf pitch can look quite “black” just after installation if the pitch is in-filled with black SBR rubber.  This black effect disappears after a few weeks once the  rubber has “settled” deeper into the field.  So it is only aesthetic and will decrease after the first couple of weeks following installation.

Should artificial grass be protected or treated against moss and weeds?

To prevent moss it is important to regularly to brush the field and to remove fallen leaves.  During specialist maintenance, which can be carried out by Desso Sports, the field’s infill is de-compacted so that it becomes looser again and moss is given less opportunity to grow.  
In the spring weeds might grow, especially at the edges of the artificial turf.  These are best removed by hand. In sunny and dry weather the weeds can also be combated with an environmentally-friendly weed killer.  Desso Sports will be happy to give you advice about this.

Does artificial turf need cleaning?

Regular, daily maintenance can be done by the sports facility itself.  More intensive work can be carried out by Desso Sports and its partners.
For more details you can request the Desso Sports maintenance manual via our contact form.
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How often do you have to maintain a Desso GrassMaster pitch?

Mowing, fertilising and watering are some of the standard tasks, just as with any normal natural grass pitch.  Instead of rolling the field after a match or training, it is also good to regularly perforate and ventilate a Desso GrassMaster pitch. The turf should be verticut and the dead grass removed. A rake can be used to open up the top layer slightly giving the algae less opportunity to grow and to prevent silting up of the top layer.

How do I maintain the artificial turf in the winter? What if there is snow on it?

Snow can simply be removed and has no effect on the artificial turf.  When the frost is very bad and lasts for many days, it is advisable to let the artificial turf rest for a while. If your artificial turf is in a region where there are harsh winters, then integrating a heating system under your artificial turf might have to be considered.

Can unevenness in the artificial turf be removed?

Yes. During play, the infill is sometimes literally “played into a pile”.  This can easily be rectified by sweeping the in-fill back into place with a broom or by adding more infill where needed.

Should dirt like leaves and bird excrement be removed?

In the autumn, leaves and needles dropping from trees and bushes may end up on the synthetic pitch.  If these are not removed then the artificial pitch may gradually “silt up” having a detrimental effect on its water permeability. In order to prevent the dirt on the pitch forming a layer of algae or moss it is best to remove fallen leaves with a leaf blower or a rake. Bird droppings and chewing gum are more difficult to remove.  Although there are no special products for this, Desso Sports will be happy to give you advice.

Do I have to trim the trees and bushes around the pitch to prevent leaves falling on it?

No, that isn’t necessary but it will decrease the problem of leaves falling on the artificial pitch.

Is there a handbook available about maintenance for artificial turf?

Yes. You will certainly be given the necessary instructions for maintenance after the artificial pitch has been installed.  You can also request a maintenance manual via the contact form.

To what extent is the maintenance of artificial turf different to the maintenance of natural grass?

Natural grass requires mowing, sowing, fertilizing; the markings have to be chalked. This all requires a considerable effort and takes more time than the maintenance of artificial turf.  Nature’s seasons have to be respected, but that is not always so practical for competition and training schedules.
The ‘ordinary’ maintenance of an artificial pitch can be done by the club, school or local authority itself and is limited to brushing the field (2 to 4 times a month) and removing any leaves.

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Does Desso Sports Systems sell machines for the maintenance of artificial turf?

Maintenance machines and accessories like the KB1000, brushes, dragnets, etc. are available to buy from Desso Sports Systems’ official network of partners. For these enquiries you can contact a Desso Sports partner.

Can I agree a maintenance contract? What does that entail precisely?

Desso Sports Systems can offer you a maintenance contract which will benefit the life expectancy of your artificial turf investment.  At pre-agreed times our local partner will visit you to carry out the specialist maintenance (cleaning, de-compacting, and, if necessary, supplementing the infill; minor repairs, checking drainage and flow through pipes, anti-moss and weed treatment, etc.)