Can You Lay Artificial Grass on Concrete?

Yes, you can lay artificial grass directly on concrete. It’s a brilliant way to transform an uninviting hard surface into a lush, safe, and comfortable outdoor space. But before you rush out to buy your synthetic turf, there are some crucial steps you need to get right – particularly when it comes to drainage.

Absolutely yes. Without proper drainage, water will pool between your turf and the concrete, creating the perfect environment for mould and mildew to thrive. This not only creates unpleasant odours but will dramatically shorten your lawn’s lifespan.

Here’s a simple test to check if your concrete has adequate drainage:

1. Grab your garden hose and thoroughly wet your concrete area
2. Watch what happens to the water
3. Time how long any puddles take to disappear

What your results mean:

• No puddles form: Brilliant! Your concrete has sufficient slope for natural drainage
• Puddles remain after a few minutes: You’ll need to create drainage channels before installation

If you’ve discovered drainage issues, don’t worry – the fix is straightforward. You’ll need to drill a series of 16mm holes where water collects, then fill these holes with 10mm shingle or pea gravel to allow water to escape.

Installing artificial grass on concrete is a manageable DIY project that most homeowners can tackle over a weekend. Here’s everything you need to know:

• Your chosen artificial grass
• 20mm shock pad underlay (essential for comfort and safety)
• Artificial grass adhesive
• Jointing tape (if you’re working with multiple pieces)
• Kiln-dried sand infill (plan for 4-5kg per square metre)

• Stiff broom
• Sharp utility knife
• Tape measure
• Drill with 16mm bit (if creating drainage holes)
• Spatula or trowel for applying adhesive

Step 1: Prepare Your Concrete Surface
Start with a spotlessly clean, dry surface. Use a stiff broom or pressure washer to remove all dirt and debris. If you spot any significant cracks (over 20mm wide), fill them with a self-levelling compound and allow it to cure completely.

Step 2: Address Drainage Issues
Based on your earlier water test, drill drainage holes where needed and fill them with gravel. This step is non-negotiable for areas prone to puddling.

Step 3: Install Your Shock Pad Underlay
Roll out the foam underlay across your concrete, cutting it to shape as needed. This layer serves two purposes: it conceals minor imperfections in the concrete and provides essential cushioning underfoot. Use gaffer tape to secure pieces together if you’re working with multiple sections.

Step 4: Secure the Underlay
Fold back the edges of your underlay and apply a 2-3mm layer of artificial grass adhesive directly to the concrete perimeter. Press the underlay down firmly and allow it to bond.

Step 5: Position and Cut Your Grass
Roll your artificial grass over the underlay, leaving about 5cm excess around all edges. Here’s a crucial tip: let the grass settle for at least 2-3 hours. This allows any creases from storage to disappear naturally. When trimming, always cut from the back using a sharp utility knife for the cleanest edge.

Step 6: Apply the Adhesive
Fold back the perimeter of your grass and apply adhesive to the underlay around the edges. Important: leave small gaps (about 20mm) in your adhesive line to maintain drainage pathways. Press the grass down firmly and avoid walking on it for at least two hours while the adhesive sets.

Step 7: Add Your Sand Infill
Once the adhesive has fully cured, spread kiln-dried sand evenly across the surface (4-5kg per square metre). This isn’t optional – the sand weighs down your turf, protects the fibres, and helps them stand upright for that natural look.

Step 8: The Final Touch
Use a stiff broom to brush the grass against the pile direction. This encourages the fibres to stand tall and gives your new lawn that full, natural appearance.

Too Much Adhesive: Overzealous gluing can block your carefully created drainage system. Stick to perimeter application only, with those strategic gaps for water flow.

Rushing the Process: Not allowing your grass to settle before cutting often results in visible creases that are difficult to fix later.

Incorrect Joining: If you’re working with multiple pieces of turf, always join them together with jointing tape first to create one solid piece before securing the perimeter.

You might be tempted to skip the sand infill step, but here’s why that’s a mistake: without sand, your artificial grass will develop wrinkles, creases, and wear out much faster. The sand provides three essential functions:

• Weight and Stability: Prevents ripples and movement, especially in high-traffic areas
• Fibre Support: Keeps the blades upright, preventing that flat, matted look
• UV Protection and Cooling: Helps dissipate heat on those scorching summer days

In busy areas like patios or children’s play spaces, the absence of sand infill becomes obvious quickly as the turf becomes flat and lifeless-looking.

If you’re wondering whether you could lay real turf instead, the short answer is: don’t bother. While technically possible with at least 30cm of topsoil, you’d essentially be building a raised garden bed on your patio. The result would be a messy, poorly draining lawn that’s prone to becoming waterlogged and boggy – definitely not the transformation you’re after.

Artificial grass is simply the superior choice for concrete surfaces, offering a clean, durable, and genuinely low-maintenance solution that looks great year-round.

Converting your concrete surface to artificial grass is one of those satisfying projects that delivers immediate visual impact. By following these steps – especially ensuring proper drainage from the start – you’ll create an outdoor space that’s not only beautiful but built to last. Whether it’s a tired old patio, a stark balcony, or a concrete play area, artificial grass can completely transform how you use and enjoy your outdoor spaces.

The best part? Once installed, your new lawn needs minimal maintenance – just occasional brushing and cleaning to keep it looking its best. No mowing, no watering, no fertilising – just year-round green that’s ready whenever you are.