So, you’ve decided you want to get rid of your old, outdated lawn and replace it with artificial grass installation in San Jose. Maybe you’re tired of fixing your dog’s masterpieces (aka holes, ripped-out turf and dead grass). Or you may have a backyard you’d rather not mow all the time.

Whatever your reason for considering pet turf, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll take you through every step of the process, from buying your turf online to making it look just like your lawn at home.

Step 1: Start your site survey.

Before everything else, you need to know the size and shape of your lawn or pet run.

Use a measuring tape and take measurements of your total site: length X width (in feet). You may need an extra area if you want to include fun features like a doggy splash pad, a doghouse and stairs.

Step 2: Buy the best artificial grass you can afford.

Like any purchase you make, you get what you pay for. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune just to have the best artificial turf in San Jose.

You can choose from our Pet Turf line, namely the Coronado Pet and Express PET artificial grass for dogs.

All of our pet turf products are 100% non-toxic, soft on the paws, anti-microbial and stain-resistant. Our Express PET, in particular, comes with Duralock Ultra-Flo backing that drains at over 400 inches an hour. Combined with our special pet infill and drain tiles, this artificial grass makes for a beautiful, odor-free lawn!

Step 3: Make sure you have your tools.

Here’s a quick look at what you need to prepare:

• sod cutter
• wheel barrow
• shovel
• pick
• turf adhesives
• staples
• tape measure
• plate compactor
• joining tape
• Etc.

Check out the full list of tools for DIY installation!

Step 4: Prepare your site.

You’ll need to remove any old grass you have. You can use a sod cutter for this— you’d be surprised how easy it is to make those chunks of sod and grass disappear!

After you’ve excavated the site, you need to level the area. If you have low areas, you’ll need to fill them in with dirt, sand or gravel before you lay down your turf.

If you have high spots, you’ll want to shave them down so that the turf lays flat over the soil. Don’t forget to remove objects like sprinkler heads.

For more details on ground preparation, read this guide: How to Prepare the Area for Synthetic Grass for Dogs

Step 5: Lay the sub-base.

If you don’t have a good foundation, you’ll have problems down the line like flooding. The sub-base doesn’t just support the entire turf system. It also encourages efficient drainage.

For pet turf, we recommend using a 2:1 mixture of Class 2 Permeable Base + Gray Fines. It’s porous yet compatible, which means it’ll create a firm base for your turf while allowing waste and water to flow through.

Step 6: Install drainage.

We can’t emphasize this enough: DON’T SKIP THE DRAINAGE.

Without proper drainage, even the best synthetic grass for dogs in San Jose will eventually become a stinky, muddy, unsanitary mess especially if your dog goes potty on your lawn.

After you’ve laid down your sub-base, install Air Drain Tiles on top. This is a special drainage mat that creates a 90% air void between the turf and the top layer of your base. This helps deodorize the turf, directs bad smells away from the surface and drains urine faster.

Step 7: Lay down your artificial grass.

Finally, it’s time to lay down your beautiful new turf!

Stretch the synthetic grass out, then cut around any special features you have planned. Make sure you have enough to go around the entire circumference of your site.

Start around the perimeter of your lawn. Once you have your first strip down, join it to your second section and then just continue that pattern until you’ve reached the middle of your turf installation.

Carefully but firmly press down on your turf to remove any air pockets you might have. Any air pockets you leave behind will be points of stress that can weaken your turf.

Step 8: Finish the installation.

Depending on your installation, you may need to trim away excess turf. A sharp razor blade does a great job here. This is why we recommend buying a little more turf than you need— it’s easier to cut away more than to restore a section if you cut it wrong.

Then, you need to take is securing your turf. The best way to do this is with a non-toxic adhesive, but you can also use staples or turf tape.

Finally, spread infill to keep the turf upright and make it feel lush. For pet installations, we recommend our Zeolite Infill which neutralizes foul odors.

After the artificial grass is in place, let it settle for a few hours or overnight before you start using it. This will help prevent wrinkles and creases.

Get Everything You Need Here at Artificial Turf Express!

Artificial Turf Express carries everything you need for DIY artificial grass installation in San Jose, including synthetic turf products, accessories and expert advice on how to install it yourself!

If your lawn will be used by animals like dogs, we recommend our exclusive Pet Turf System, designed to keep odor away while providing a wonderful place to relax and play.

Call us today at 408-317-4730, send us a message or visit us at our showroom to see how Artificial Turf Express can help with your commercial and residential projects!