Ask any experienced installer what separates a good artificial turf installation from a bad one and the answer is almost always the base. Not the product. Not the installation technique. The base.
What the Base Actually Does
The base layer performs three functions simultaneously. It provides a stable, level surface for the turf to sit on. It manages drainage so that water moves through and off the surface rather than pooling. And it prevents the movement of organic material from below that would otherwise cause soft spots and weed growth through the turf backing.
When any of these functions are compromised, the turf installation suffers. Soft spots appear where the base settled. Low areas collect water after rain. Weeds push through the backing where organic material was left in the base. All of these problems trace back to base preparation.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
A poor base is not something you can fix after the turf is installed without tearing everything up. If you settle or drain poorly, the only correction is to remove the turf, re-prep the base, and reinstall. This means paying for installation twice.
By contrast, doing the base right the first time is not dramatically more expensive than doing it wrong. The material cost difference between proper road base and inadequate fill is small. The labor to compact correctly adds time but not a lot. The payoff is an installation that performs properly for fifteen to twenty years.
What Proper Base Preparation Looks Like
Excavate four to six inches minimum, more for heavy-use applications. Remove all organic material. Install a permeable weed barrier over native subgrade. Fill with Class II road base or equivalent crushed aggregate in compacted two-inch lifts. Fine grade to achieve a smooth, level surface with proper drainage grade. Final compaction check for soft spots.
This is not a complicated process but it is a thorough one. Taking shortcuts at any of these steps creates problems that surface later.
For DIY Installers
If you are doing a residential install yourself, invest the time in base prep. Rent a plate compactor. Use the right base material. Grade for drainage. The product you lay on top is only as good as what is underneath it.
Our team at Summit Turf Supply can answer questions about base specification for your specific project. Stop by or give us a call.
Ready to take the next step? Explore installation tips for DIYers or contact Summit Turf Supply to get a quote for your project.