Before installing artificial grass: How to take the measurements for circular, square, or triangular surfaces

You must learn how to calculate the exact amount of square feet of artificial grass that is required for each project before you show a quote for a client because it is unprofessional to make imprecise calculations that could increase as you notice that there are more things to buy apart from the artificial grass, to make a professional installation.

So, this time we will teach you how to calculate how much artificial grass you should get for each project even if you have to work with different shapes of surfaces.

How to calculate the excess you will need

Most of our artificial grass rolls are 100 feet long x 15 feet wide. Only some are 7.5 feet wide.

Our first recommendation is that after calculating the square footage that will be needed, you should add an extra 10% SF to that total. This will compensate for the waste generated by cuts for any of the following reasons:

• Artificial grass should always be installed in the same pile direction. There will be times when you will not be able to use any excess piece of artificial grass, so it is better to avoid placing it against the rest because you will notice the difference and highlight that it is not natural and it will not look harmonious.

• Any residue left when cutting pieces at an angle or curves from the surface.
• Any imperfections when cutting synthetic grass.

As an example, if you need 600 square feet of grass, you should add an additional 10% (60 square feet), so the total for the quote should be 660 square feet of synthetic grass for that project.

Here are three examples of different installations with different shapes (square or rectangular, circular or winding, and triangular) to show you how to calculate the total square footage you will need.

How to calculate how much artificial grass you need for square or rectangular surfaces

Most of the surfaces have a square or rectangular shape with some other object in the area, like trees, fountains, bushes, etc., but that is not a problem for the installation of artificial grass or the calculation of the amount of product that will be required. This is the easiest way to calculate and the one with the least loss of material because it only counts by measuring the length by the width to know how many rolls will be required for each project:

.

In this example the terrain has been divided into 4 rectangles whose measurements are (15 x 75 feet) + (15 x 50 feet) + (15 x 38 feet) + (18 x 30 feet). Adding them all together gives the total land area of ​​2,985 square feet. If to that figure is added 10% of artificial grass that is 298 square feet, it turns out that the amount that is required is 3283 square feet in total.

Before installing, you should cut 15 x 75, 15 x 50, 15 x 38, and adjust the excess grass to the remaining area.

How to calculate how much artificial grass you need for circular surfaces

When the land has a circular, oval or sinuous shape, it is advisable to imaginatively convert the circle into a square, if it is circular, or a rectangle if it is oval, so, in the first case, the diameter measurement must be taken and multiplied by the same figure to obtain the measure of a square. In the second case, you must measure the widest part of the oval and the highest part and multiply the measurements so that it gives the total square footage to buy. In this case, they are 40 x 40 feet. Therefore, 1,350 square feet are needed. This includes the 10% additional material, for round or oval shapes.

To install, three rectangular cuts of artificial grass should be made as follows: two 15 x 40 feet (1,200 square feet) cuts and one 10 x 15-foot cut.

Then, cutting the grass with the circular or sinuous shape while disposing of the material for the corners.

.

How to calculate how much artificial grass you need for triangular-shaped surfaces

In the case of the triangle-shaped surface, the only variant is that with one of the coils we can use a surplus to complete one of the points of the triangle and thus make the most of the grass, always taking into account that it has a specific arrangement and should not change the orientation of the artificial turf.

In the example shown there is a total of 1,080 square feet which is broken down as follows: 48 ft x 45/2 ft. With the addition of 10% (108 feet equivalent), the amount of artificial grass needed for that project is 1,188 square feet.

The correct measurements for cutting the grass are as follows: 15 x 48 and 15 x 32. The excess grass remains are used to fill in what is missing from the surface. As we previously said, you have to make sure that the fibers have the same direction as the other ones.

How to cut artificial grass

For best results, it is recommended to install your lawn in square or rectangular sections rather than using one large piece.

To start:

• Unroll the synthetic grass so that it is upside down, with the back of the grass facing up.
• Measure each section.
• Mark the cut lines with chalk or white marker on the back of the artificial grass.
• Cut it with the roll upside down. This allows you to follow the lines you have already marked; it also helps to follow the stitch rows and the natural grain of the fabric as evenly as possible.

When you reach corners or curved edges, the cuts should be made in small sections so that the curvatures are precise. These small cuts also help you follow the strip of grass more carefully.

Once each section of the grid has been cut, place the pieces together end to end and make sure they all have the correct orientation of the fibers in each piece and that all the stitches are aligned. If the straight cuts have been made and the stitch lines match correctly, the seams should be invisible.

Each step of the artificial grass project installation process must be done according to specific recommendations. That is why we invite you to read all our blog posts, as they will guide you about everything you should do before, during, and after each installation.

Also, if you want to go one step further and gain professional knowledge, we offer you the opportunity to attend the classes we teach at Diamond Artificial Grass University. Contact us or visit your favorite Diamond store to get all the details.