Turf Installation

While installing artificial turf on a rooftop deck is a creative and long-lasting method to enhance your space, it can result in costly repairs if not designed and placed appropriately. We’ve included a few items to bear in mind while you talk with the installer about the installation.

Roof Damage

We do not advocate putting fake grass on top of a roof that has been damaged in any way. Because the lawn does not provide insulation, it will provide no additional protection. If there are leaks from the roof at any point after installation, it becomes much more challenging to locate where the leak is coming from, and it can become much more expensive. As a result, you should never install artificial turf directly to the roof’s base to make it removable when the top needs to be inspected.

Drainage

Fortunately, the majority of rooftops are constructed with water flow in mind. We don’t recommend installing artificial turf in areas where water pooling is a problem. You don’t want water to collect in your synthetic grass. Mold, mildew and roof leaks can occur if water accumulates.

There are a few options to keep in mind for the drainage system. It’s critical to determine which choice will work best for you and your space before selecting. The drainage systems we provided by Desert Sunview are listed below.

Drain Core: The drain core is made of a flexible material. It makes it possible for grass to sit on bumps and breathe well. The water will immediately drain from the roof. While it is the most cost-effective drain grid, it makes a cracking noise when walked on when laid over rough surfaces. This can also cause wrinkles when exposed to direct sunlight.

Air Drain: This is a 1-inch tall stiff material. It has the best ventilation and the quickest discharge. It expands significantly in the heat and has no waves or irregularities. The disadvantage of this material is that heels can puncture the grass, causing damage to the turf and injury. This surface should not be walked on in heels.

Perforated Tile

This stiff, small-celled tile is exceptionally long-lasting. It can withstand high heels and heavy furnishings. Turf can also be glued to the tile directly.

Soft Pad: Ideal for children and low-flow drainage. This solution is frequently used in enclosed areas since it reduces the risk of uplift or requires gluing to the floor.

Magnification

Artificial Grass has a well-known difficulty with magnification. Synthetic Grass can become heated on hot days like anything else exposed to direct sunshine. Only nylon turf can withstand those extreme temperatures, and it costs twice as much. When sunlight is reflected and positioned directly on top of the surface of your artificial Grass, it magnifies. This causes the substance to melt and the surface to burn. Magnification is more common on balconies, although you may be affected by seeing reflections from surrounding buildings’ windows.

There’s an easy way to tell if artificial turf will melt on your rooftop if you notice any white reflection lines around the surface. Place a piece of plastic in the area and keep an eye on it. Do not leave the plastic bag alone, since this could result in a fire. If the plastic hasn’t been disturbed by midday, the turf will most likely not melt in that location. Because determining magnification is challenging, we recommend having one of our crew members analyze the situation. We will never be able to promise that there will be no magnification.

Frame Installation:

We can tie the fake grass to the frame rather than the ground by erecting scaffolding around the perimeter. This is beneficial since it makes it easier to crawl underneath it if repairs are required. Repairing a damaged structure is far more cost-effective than repairing the surface of your rooftop. Another advantage of frame installation is that it prevents wrinkling of the surface over time without filler. You may vacuum the surface if there is no infill, making cleaning a breeze. In addition, the use of a frame to attach the turf avoids the need for sticky glue.

Door Placement

While most people do not consider this when considering whether or not to install artificial grass, it can impact the space. On artificial grass, doors that extend outward onto the roof may become stuck. If your turf installation causes the door to be difficult to open and close, it can rapidly become a safety problem. We recommend either trimming the grass to allow the door to open or adding a piece of shorter turf in that location in this circumstance. This item would need to be glued to the surface to avoid tripping risks. If you have a door that leads outward onto your rooftop, make sure there’s at least a 1-inch gap to allow turf installation.

Furniture Placement

Keep in mind that if you plan on using heavy furniture, it will leave a mark on your artificial grass over time. To avoid impacts on large pieces of furniture, we recommend moving them around once every few months. When filling the space with furniture, choose thick and sturdy grass. The wider the turf, the more level your furniture will be.

Any hot embers or coals from fire pits and barbecues can damage artificial grass. It’s not an excellent thought to put these things on fake grass. This may be easily avoided by placing turf in a smaller area, allowing you to make use of the grassy space while still enjoying the comforts of a hard surface.

We discuss all of these factors with our clients before proceeding with installation because we care about the artificial grass’s longevity and don’t want to do any costly repairs in the future. Contact us today for your project!