
Installing foam underlay for artificial grass can be a bit of a challenge, but don't worry, we've got you covered. The ideal installation depth for foam underlay is between 10-15mm, ensuring a smooth and even surface for your artificial grass.
It's essential to choose the right type of foam underlay for your artificial grass installation. The most common types are polyethylene and polypropylene, both of which provide excellent shock absorption and drainage properties.
A well-installed foam underlay can extend the lifespan of your artificial grass by up to 20 years. Regular maintenance, such as sweeping and cleaning, can also help prevent damage and ensure it remains looking its best.
Foam underlay is a cost-effective solution that can be installed on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, wood, and even existing grass. It's also a great option for areas with high foot traffic or heavy use.
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What is Foam Underlay?
Foam underlay is a layer of material placed between the artificial grass and the subbase.
It's designed to provide a smooth, even surface for the grass to sit on, reducing the risk of wrinkles and creases.
Foam underlay is typically made from a type of polypropylene or polyethylene plastic, which is durable and long-lasting.
By using foam underlay, you can extend the lifespan of your artificial grass installation.
Additional reading: Do You Need Underlay for Artificial Grass on Concrete
What Are
Foam underlay is a type of material used to provide a cushioning layer between a floor and a carpet or other flooring.
It's designed to reduce noise and vibrations, making your home feel more comfortable and peaceful.
Smooth Appearance
Installing a foam underlay is essential for a smooth appearance. It conceals ridges and bumps in the surface below, ensuring a flat and flawless finish to your fake turf.
A foam shockpad is great for transforming patios, concrete, and decking. It makes your grass feel extremely soft underfoot.
The foam underlay serves to absorb any undulations in the existing surface. This leaves a flat finish, avoiding the unsightly effect of visible ridges.
A 10mm foam is typically more than adequate for this job.
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Benefits and Advantages
A foam underlay for artificial grass is a game-changer. It's compatible with the "Head Injury Criterion", making it a safer option for families with kids.
The soft feel underfoot is a major advantage of foam underlay. It's like walking on air, and kids love it. They can play on it all year round without worrying about mud and mess.
Foam underlay is perfect for patios, concrete, and decks. It covers ridges and bumps, creating a smooth surface. This makes installation easier and quicker.
Here are the benefits of foam underlay:
- Soft feel underfoot
- Compatible with "Head Injury Criterion"
- Covers ridges and bumps
- Perfect for patios, concrete, and decks
- Money saver
- Easier and quicker installation
Foam underlay can save you money, especially when using an existing surface like concrete or an old patio. Cleaning and securing the foam underlay is a cheaper process than traditional installation methods.
A foam underlay can make artificial turf an excellent investment in your home. It adds value to your property and requires minimal maintenance.
Why Best Underlay Matters
The foam underlay for artificial grass is a game-changer for safety. It helps absorb impact from falls, reducing the risk of injuries to kids and adults alike.
Every year, 200,000 kids suffer injuries from playground falls, and 40,000 need medical attention. This highlights the importance of a foam underlay for your lawn.
The foam shock pad makes your grass feel incredibly soft underfoot, hiding any roughness or lumps in the ground. This is especially useful in playgrounds, recreational areas, and landscapes where children will play and roughhouse.
Foam pads can noticeably reduce noise from footsteps and activity on the turf, keeping things quieter for nearby homes. Less stomping noise makes for happier neighbors.
The foam underlay also extends the life of the turf by cushioning the contact points, reducing friction that can degrade the blades and backing over time. Properly installed, shock pads can extend the usable lifespan of the grass.
A high-quality foam underlay can level out minor imperfections in the base, allowing for a flatter, more even installation over mildly irregular surfaces. This is a great benefit for those with uneven terrain.
The foam underlay helps with drainage by allowing water to drain through its perforations, improving drainage compared to installing turf directly on a solid surface. This is especially important in areas with heavy rainfall or irrigation.
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Installation and Maintenance
Foam underlay is a crucial part of artificial turf, providing an even and smooth surface.
It's designed to keep the artificial grass soft and even over time, which is especially important since it can become rigid and less smooth with age.
The installation process can be a bit of a hassle, as it requires a sub-base and course, which can be time-consuming to set up.
You'll need to buy aggregate from the market, transport it to your home, and then call professionals to do the job, which can take up a lot of time.
Streamlines Installation Process
Installing a foam underlay can take away a lot of the physical work involved in installing artificial grass, making the installation process far quicker and easier.
The logistics of the job can be far easier too, as using a foam underlay reduces the amount of aggregate that needs to be transported through your home, preventing potential damage to your carpets and boards.

You can cover large areas in a fraction of the time it would take to cart, level and compact sub-base material, making the installation process much faster.
The need for heavy tools like vibrating plate compactors is eliminated when using a foam underlay, reducing the overall workload and making the installation process more manageable.
A typical fake turf installation requires a shovel, wheelbarrow, rake, and vibrating plate compactor, but with a foam underlay, these tools are no longer necessary.
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Complete Maintenance Guide
Installing artificial grass can be a game-changer for your outdoor space, but it requires some maintenance to keep it looking its best. The underlay is a crucial component that provides an even and smooth surface, keeping your artificial turf soft and even over time.
Foam underlay is a popular option for homeowners due to its variety of merits. It's a great choice for those who want a low-maintenance solution that still provides a comfortable playing surface.
A common problem many people face is installing a sub-base and course, which can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. You'll need to buy aggregate from the market, bring it home, and call in the professionals, all of which can be a hassle.
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Shock Absorption and Safety
Adding a shock pad underlay to your artificial grass can make a huge difference in safety and comfort. PST Lawns shock pad underlay comprises of three layers, designed to maximise shock absorption and provide maximum comfort and safety.
The shock pad is very lightweight and can be laid directly over most surfaces, including concrete, decking, or tarmac. It's also very easy to install.
Our 10 mm shock pad comes in 1.5m width rolls that can be cut to your required measurements. This makes it easy to fit to any size of artificial grass.
The shock pad reduces the risk of injury, especially for kids playing on the grass. It provides a comfortable and natural cushioning.
The 10mm shock pad foam underlay is available for €12 per m2 including VAT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put padding under artificial turf?
Yes, foam padding can be installed under artificial turf for added safety and performance. It's a proven solution that provides excellent shock absorption and uniformity.
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