In brief
Artificial grass can be laid easily on concrete, paving and tiles – with no excavation required. What matters is a clean, load-bearing surface, a slope for drainage and, in most cases, a drainage or levelling mat so joints do not show through and water can drain away. It is fixed with artificial grass adhesive or laid loose with weighted edges.
An old concrete slab, a paved patio or a tiled courtyard can quickly be turned into a green area with artificial grass. Unlike in a garden, there is no need for a crushed-stone sub-base – but there are other points you need to pay attention to.
Advantages of solid sub-surfaces
- no excavation and no crushed-stone sub-base required
- already level and load-bearing
- quick installation, often in a single day
- artificial grass can be removed again if needed
Sub-surfaces compared
| Sub-surface | Preparation | Special feature |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete, screed | clean, repair cracks and holes | usually smooth; drainage via slope |
| Paving | secure loose stones, remove weeds from joints | joints may show through |
| Tiles, slabs | clean, fix loose slabs | keep drains clear |
| Balcony, roof terrace | check waterproofing, do not drill into anything | lay loose, consider wind uplift |
Step by step: laying artificial grass on a solid surface
- Check the surface: Is the area load-bearing, level, and does it have a slope towards the edge or drain?
- Clean: Thoroughly remove dirt, moss and weeds.
- Lay the mat: A drainage mat or levelling fleece creates space for water and evens out joints.
- Roll out the artificial grass: Lay the rolls in the same laying direction and allow them to acclimatise.
- Cut to size: Cut precisely from the back – see cutting.
- Fix in place: Use artificial grass adhesive along the edges and seams, or lay loose with weighted edges.
- Brush up: Brush the fibres against the grain to lift them.
Glue down or lay loose?
| Method | Suitable for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bonding along edges and seams | Concrete, screed, larger areas | stable; water must still be able to drain away |
| Full-surface bonding | heavily used areas with a good slope | only if drainage is guaranteed |
| Loose laying | Balcony, rental property, small areas | weight down edges; easy to remove |
The guide Fixing and gluing artificial grass explains all fixing methods in detail.
Common mistakes
- no slope – water pools under the artificial grass
- fully bonded even though water cannot drain away
- paving joints show through without a levelling mat
- drains covered
- drilled or nailed into waterproofing
To learn how water permeability works, read the guide Is artificial grass permeable to water?. There is a separate guide for balconies: Artificial grass on the balcony.
Our offer
We assess your sub-surface and install Royal Grass® artificial grass on concrete, paving, tiles and roof terraces – including drainage and a clean edge finish. More about artificial grass installation.
Frequently asked questions about artificial grass on concrete and paving
Can artificial grass be laid directly on concrete?
Yes. On clean, level concrete with a slope, artificial grass can be laid directly. A drainage or levelling mat underneath improves drainage and provides a softer feel underfoot.
Does artificial grass on paving need an underlay?
It is recommended. Without a levelling mat, joints and edges of the paving stones can show through in the artificial grass. The mat also helps with drainage.
Does artificial grass on tiles need to be glued down?
Not necessarily. On terraces and balconies, artificial grass is often laid loose and weighted down at the edges. Gluing is advisable for larger or heavily used areas, provided water can still drain away.
What happens to rainwater on concrete?
It passes through the permeable backing and drains away underneath the artificial grass via the slope. That is why a slope and a drainage mat are so important on solid surfaces.