Can you put artificial grass on concrete?

Can you put artificial grass on concrete?

Short answer: yes. Artificial grass works well over concrete patios, pool decks, balconies and rooftops, as long as water can drain off the slab and the turf is installed with the right underlay and edges. You don't need the aggregate base a lawn needs.

Turf over concrete is one of the quickest ways to turn a hard, hot slab into a green outdoor space, and in South Florida condos and townhomes it's often the only lawn there is. It just needs to be done differently from a backyard installation.

How to install artificial grass on concrete

1. Check the slab and the drainage. Water must be able to run off. Concrete should slope slightly toward a drain or the edge; puddles that sit on the slab now will sit under the turf later.
2. Clean the surface. Remove dirt, moss and loose material, and repair large cracks.
3. Add a drainage or foam pad. A drainage mat or foam underlay lets water move under the turf, smooths out joints and cracks, and makes the surface softer underfoot.
4. Lay and seam the turf. Use a turf with a fully permeable backing, seamed so the joints don't show.
5. Secure the edges. On concrete, turf is held with outdoor turf adhesive or tape at the edges and seams, since nails can't be used.
6. Infill lightly, or not at all. Many turf products for patios and balconies need little or no infill; less weight is better on balconies and rooftops.

Balconies and rooftops

Before installing artificial grass on a balcony or rooftop, check your condo or HOA rules and make sure drains and scuppers stay open. Choose a lightweight turf and a drainage pad, and never block the slope of a waterproofed roof. Read more in our artificial grass for balcony guide.

Common mistakes

• Gluing turf down everywhere, which traps water and makes repairs hard.
• Skipping the pad, so every joint and crack shows through.
• Covering floor drains or blocking the slab's slope.
• Using turf without drainage holes on an outdoor slab.

Pool decks and pavers

Around pools, turf over concrete or between pavers needs a turf rated for wet areas and chlorine, and drainage that sends water away from the pool. It's also a popular base for a small putting green or a pet area on a patio.

Why people choose to lay artificial grass over concrete

A concrete patio or concrete surface is hard, hot and plain. Adding artificial grass softens it, makes a usable play area or pet area, and needs no traditional lawn care. It's also an effective solution for rooftops, balconies, pool decks and commercial spaces where a lawn can't grow. Concrete offers a stable, level surface, so turf over concrete can go in faster than a full lawn.

Materials checklist for artificial grass over concrete

Before you lay artificial grass over a concrete surface, make sure the surface is clean and free of debris, and fill significant cracks or uneven areas. Then you'll need a landscape turf with a permeable backing, a foam padding or drainage mat for cushion and comfort, outdoor turf adhesive to bond the turf edges around the perimeter, and seam tape so the joins look seamless. Because concrete is hard and doesn't absorb water, the padding and the slope do the work a gravel base does in a yard. Where a slab holds water, some installers drill small drainage holes to prevent water pooling; that's a decision for the property owner and, on a balcony, the building.

Installing turf on concrete vs on soil

Unlike soil, there's nothing to excavate or compact, so laying turf over concrete is quicker. The trade-off is drainage: on soil, water moves down through the base; on a hard surface, it has to move across it. Get that right and synthetic turf on concrete is long-lasting and low-maintenance.

More questions about turf on concrete

Can artificial grass be installed on concrete for dogs? Yes, with a drainage pad and regular rinsing so urine runs off instead of sitting on the slab.

Can you put artificial grass on pavers? Yes, the same way as on concrete, as long as the pavers are level and stable.

Will it look natural? With a quality landscape turf, padding and neat edges, you can achieve a natural look even on a larger area. This guide explains the basics; for garden makeover ideas and a quote, ask our team.

The real takeaway

Concrete is a good base for artificial grass, if the water has somewhere to go. Slope, a drainage pad and secured edges are what make turf over concrete look right and last.