How to cut artificial grass in 5 easy steps

Knowing how to cut artificial grass isn’t as straightforward as edging traditional turf. Because of the materials involved, you need to get the right tools and plan your layout in advance.

Artificial grass is growing in popularity due to technological strides that give fake turf a more natural finish. Homeowners are championing the low-maintenance, cost-effective option that keeps their garden looking beautiful all year long.

So, why would you need to cut artificial grass?

There are three reasons you might want to learn how to cut artificial grass. These include:

• When you install it
• During the edging process
• If you’re going to change the original design

Thankfully, we’ve put together this blog with our top tips for cutting artificial grass in 5 easy steps. Read on to learn more.

Don’t forget to check out our blog: How to lay artificial grass: Turf chores for tips on installing your lawn. 

How to cut artificial grass

Tools for cutting artificial grass

• An industrial cutting blade or turf cutter
• Edging tools
• Border posts
• String and stakes
• Safety gloves
• A mild day

How to cut and lay artificial grass

Step 1. Accurately measure your garden

Before you lay your lawn, you need to make sure your measurements are accurate. You can always trim a little artificial grass off the edges, but you can’t add more, so double and triple check your calculations!

Step 2. How to cut artificial grass to size

Due to the nature of artificial grass, you need to make accurate, neat incisions when it comes to cutting it to size. Natural lawns can forgive mistakes by growing over them. However, any mistakes you make whilst cutting your fake turf will show up.

If you’re in any way unsure of your DIY prowess, why not hire a local artificial grass expert your neighbours recommend? They’ll be able to make sure your finished result is neat and clean.

If you want to do it yourself, then put on your safety gloves and make slow, steady and accurate cuts to get a natural-looking result. Consider using a large meter ruler to guide your hand and always cut on the back of the turf to avoid damaging the fake grass fibres.

Step 3. Roll out your turf to see what additional cuts are required

Once you’ve made your initial cuts, your turf is ready to roll out. This lets you see where objects such as trees, borders, rocks, flowerbeds and golf holes are, allowing you to cut around those shapes before bedding in your fake turf.

Step 4. How to cut artificial grass around curves

Once you know what additional cuts are required, it’s time to use your cutting tool to make those shapes and edge the turf properly. As this requires a steady hand and accuracy, make smaller cuts initially, so you don’t over-trim and ruin all your hard work. Pull the grass backwards and use an up and back motion to make your cuts before placing it back down and checking your progress.

Top tip: Smooth out your turf as much as possible before you begin cutting out your shapes. This avoids them ending up in the wrong place when bedding in your fake grass.

Step 5. Bed in your artificial grass and tidy the edges

Once you’ve made your cuts, install your grass using nails or glue and go around the edges with your cutting blade to tidy them up. This is much easier than cutting your lawn in preparation for laying it, as it just involves trimming the edges.

Top tip: Make slow cuts in small increments.

FAQs

Can you cut artificial grass with scissors?

Some industrial scissors will cut through artificial grass. However, if you’re looking at how to cut artificial grass around posts or how to cut a golf hole in artificial turf, then you’ll need a cutting blade to ensure accuracy.

Is artificial grass hard to cut?

With the right tools and know-how, artificial grass isn’t hard to cut and shape. However, we highly recommend hiring a professional to lay your turf accurately for gardens with objects, borders or flowerbeds that need artificial grass shaping around them.

How do you cut artificial grass strips?

Our above guide has all the steps you need to cut artificial grass strips. For more information, you can also check out our blog: How to lay artificial grass: Turf chores.

Can you cut artificial grass with a lawnmower?

There are lawn mowers available on the market that are specifically designed to cut artificial lawns. However, as artificial grass doesn’t grow, these lawnmowers help fibres stay upright, keeping them neat and trimming any blade expansion.

Should I hire a professional?

If you’re thinking of attempting any DIY work, we ask you to think about the risks associated with bad repairs – not to mention the extra costs involved when it comes to correcting any mistakes. If you’re in any doubt about taking on a task, we highly recommend hiring a local expert your neighbours know and trust.

When you hire one of our trusted professionals, you’re able to see their profile and view their customer reviews. Even better, those reviews are from your neighbours and checked by us to ensure they’re legitimate. Not only that, but if you book one of our members for the job, we guarantee their work, which gives you the extra peace of mind and security that you and your house is in safe hands.