Durable and suitable for a range of environments, grass mat rolls are an invaluable safety matting solution that will enhance development of grass during the growing season. Though easy to install, without a clear installation guide getting them set up can at first be a head-scratcher.
What are Grass Mat Rolls?
Put simply, they are durable, rubber mats sold in rolls. They come with 30mm-sized holes to enhance overall lawn care. They also promote grass growth and prevent moisture loss or changes in soil temperature, both of which can cause a deterioration in both grass and soil quality.
Our extensive range of recycled rubber grass mats, from standard to heavy duty mats, are the perfect choice for protecting high-traffic ground surfaces. Their non-slip surfacemeans that, like our grass protection mesh, they can be used in a number of environments from playgrounds, to festival grounds, to golf courses. For larger areas that require coverage for vehicle access, cable ties can be used to join our grass mats together for maximum protection.
Installing Grass Protection Rolls
Though the process itself is straightforward, there are a number of things to consider both prior to and following installation depending on the environment, whether the product will provide support at festivals, weddings, and outdoor venues, or for park playgrounds.
Prepare the Area for Grass Protection Mats
This is the time to remove any turf debris and clear away weed growth that may have occurred. If the area already has grass growing, use a sod cutter or spade to remove the top layer (around 2-3cm). However, be mindful not to cut too deep and disturb the grass root structure.
If the soil appears compacted, use a garden fork or rake to loosen the top 7-10cm. This will ensure healthy grass growth can occur underneath your rubber grass mats and help prevent grass erosion. If your soil is hard or clay-heavy, consider planting aggregate like terram geotextiles for drainage, and fertiliser for soil nutrition and health.
Add Grass Seed (If Applicable)
If previous grass growth has been uneven, patchy or even non-existent, it is worth adding grass seed to the topsoil before installing the rubber grass mats. Its germination and eventual growth will make it more able to deal with heavy foot traffic. Depending on the location, how much grass seed you’ll need will differ:
- For a new lawn: 30-50 grams/m²
- For slopes or erosion control: up to 60 grams/m²
- For over seeding existing grass: 15–25 grams/m²
Lay the Rubber Grass Mat Rolls
To lay your rolls, start at the lowest point of your area (for example, either at the edge of the lawn or the bottom of the slope). If the area is indeed on a slope, lay the grass reinforcement mats horizontally across – this will prevent rainwater from moving them downhill. Once this has been done, unroll your first mat in a straight line and ensure it is aligned with a path, fence or a measured string guide.
Take care to unroll the grass reinforcement mats slowly with the hole side facing upwards. This will ensure maximum drainage during grass watering or rainfall.
Once you have made sure that the rubber grass mat edges are touching each other without overlapping, you can begin securing them. To do this you can use either U-pins or plastic fixing pegs. If installation of grass matting will be on existing grass, we recommend pegging them with our plastic pegs, which slot neatly in the holes of our mats and sit flush inside them. We would advise using a peg for every 1 to 1.5 metres on each side of the roll. Securing the pegs is essential in preventing soil washout, shifting or wind lifts, which can cause accidents.
Water Underlying Grass Thoroughly
If grass growth is a priority in addition to protection, water the grass once the rubber grass mats have been installed using a sprinkler system rather than a jet. For the next 2-3 weeks, water the area regularly to keep it consistently damp until grass begins sprouting through the holes.
Ensure Good Aftercare
In the long term, there are things you can do to establish and maintain your grass mats and any grass underneath. Every so often you should sweep the mats free of debris including leaves, twigs or mud to ensure the preservation of the anti-slip rubber materials. If your mat has become heavily soiled in the autumn and winter months, use a stiff broom and hose to wash the dirt off.
Our rubber grass mats can be installed by anyone and, with the right aftercare, will go on to protect your area and create a reinforced grass surface.For expert advice on our rubber grass mats as well as our other products, contact a member of our friendly team via our website and we will be happy to help.
