How do I lay the weed barrier when laying artificial grass?

Anti-weed geotextile mesh and drainage mesh for artificial grass

Faced with the wave of erroneous information circulating on the web, we have been forced to respond first to the doubts that have been generated among our clients and consumers. Everything revolves around the placement of the weed barrier in the preparation of the soil or gravel base in an artificial grass garden.

 
 

Where to put the geotextile mesh?

 
This anti-herb fabric should lay down BEFORE the gravel base, NEVER after.
 
Why? There are several reasons why it is placed like this:
 
  1.        Because that's how the synthetic turf manufacturers specify it.
  2.        Because this is stipulated by bodies such as FIFA or the Ministry of Culture and Sports for Sports Fields.
  3.        Out of simple common sense.
 
The geotextile seeks to seal the soil from weed growth from the ground.
 
If we place it on the gravel, we are giving at least 5 centimeters to this weed, so that its stem can pass through the geotextile mesh or fabric.
 
If it sprouts in these cms, it will seek to come out from the sides of the synthetic turf.
 

The geotextile mesh and waterlogging True or False?

 
We have come to see and hear in some videos that the mesh can prevent flooding, if dear readers, there are companies that ensure this in their commercial videos.
 
The geotextile mesh is 100% permeable so if there is waterlogging, this fabric will not do anything to prevent it.
 
In any case, if the garden has significant waterlogging, it should be sloped, and drainage pipes and/or waterproof polyethylene sheets should be installed.
 
This would serve to bring the water to the previously constructed gutters or drainage grids.
 

The geotextile mesh as an artificial grass protector, Fake News?

 
Another argument that we have seen and heard is that the weedproof geotextile mesh helps to protect the support or backing of the synthetic turf.
 
FALSE, unless the artificial grass is of poor quality, the cheap type, yes, of those of Asian import? the ?backing? of any recognized manufacturer guarantees that the pavement does not rot and the threads do not come off.
 
This is due to the treatments and coatings applied to this support either latex, polypropylene, polyurethane or some other similar.
 

Types of geotextiles.

 
And if that's not enough, there's even more? Are there geotextiles for soft or hard pavements?
 
FALSE, there are types of geotextiles classified into woven and non-woven manufactured in different materials, polyethylene, polyester or polypropylene.
 
In nonwovens, they vary around more or less density. In any case, all seek to fulfill the same function of helping to prevent the emergence of weeds.
 
However, we must point out to our readers and followers, that the geotextile mesh is NOT a guarantee at all to prevent weeds from growing in our artificial turf gardens.  
 
As they are so likely to germinate between cracks in walls or tiles, it is also very likely that they can grow on artificial turf, especially around the edges.
 

The weed control fabric is a geotextile mesh for drainage, Fake news?

 
We continue, recently we found that placing the geotextile mesh under the artificial turf in paving, attics with drains will help the better drainage of the artificial turf.
 
FALSE, on the contrary, this layer can obstruct the passage of water to the drains or drainage channels under the synthetic turf.
 
Correct placement on hard floors with drains or gutters must be done on our alveolar drainage mesh, at least 4mm thick or on a damping base with drainage cells.
 
 
 

Weed control fabric to prevent silica sand loss.

 
Finally, the weed screen prevents the loss of silica sand.
 
This point is in case there are still any models on the market for gardening that require silica sand, as the latest generations no longer do.
 
FALSE, the silica sand once ballasted and properly spread on the artificial grass, should not be lost unless it is placed on a very steep slope.
 
In our extensive experience in erecting old padel courts or renovating artificial turf gardens, we have found that even 1% silica sand is not lost through the drainage holes in the turf.
 
We hope to be able to clarify the doubts that exist around this subject and we invite you to visit our section on tips and tricks for installing artificial turf
 
 
 
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