Artificial Grass Installation in Whitstable

A typical build-up is: excavate ~75-100mm, lay a compacted crushed-stone sub-base, a sharp-sand or granite-dust screed, a weed-membrane, then the turf pinned and joined, sometimes with a kiln-dried sand infill. Skipping layers is the number-one cause of lumps, weeds and movement.

Laying straight onto turf or soil is a false economy — it sinks, ruts, grows weeds through and drains badly. A proper install removes the topsoil and builds an engineered base. If a quote skips excavation, expect problems within a year or two.

Quality turf is non-toxic and lead-free (check the certification), and pet-friendly ranges drain urine and can be rinsed. Antimicrobial infills help with odour. Confirm the product is certified for the intended use rather than a generic import.

Far less than a real lawn: occasional brushing to keep the pile upright, rinsing, and removing leaves and pet mess. It never needs mowing, watering or feeding — the main upkeep is keeping debris off so moss doesn't establish on the surface.

In Whitstable, ask to see completed installs a year or more old, get the base build-up specified in writing, and compare three quotes on groundwork depth, not just turf price. A cheap install that skips the sub-base costs more to fix later.

Cost is driven by area and the quality of the turf, but the groundwork matters just as much: excavating the old lawn, laying and compacting a sub-base, adding a weed membrane and joining the rolls. Cheap quotes often skimp on the base, which is exactly where failures show up.

A fully installed quality lawn runs roughly £45-90 per m², with mid-range around £65. Small or awkward areas cost more per m²; large open lawns are cheaper per m² but higher overall for spoil removal.