{"id":3304,"date":"2026-10-16T09:35:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T07:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.topgreen.de\/ratgeber\/artificial-grass-sub-base-how-to-properly-prepare-the-foundation\/"},"modified":"2026-10-26T12:48:47","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T11:48:47","slug":"artificial-grass-sub-base-how-to-properly-prepare-the-foundation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topgreen.de\/en\/ratgeber\/artificial-grass-sub-base-how-to-properly-prepare-the-foundation\/","title":{"rendered":"Artificial Grass Sub-base: How to Properly Prepare the Foundation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In brief<\/p>\n\n\n

On soil or old lawns, artificial grass requires a compacted, water-permeable foundation<\/strong>: approximately 8\u201312 cm of excavation, a gravel base layer<\/strong> of 5\u20138 cm, a 2\u20133 cm leveling layer<\/strong> made of grit or crushed sand, and a weed membrane<\/strong>. On solid surfaces such as concrete, pavement, or tiles, the gravel is not required \u2013 here, the slope<\/strong> and a drainage or leveling mat<\/strong> are crucial. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

The sub-base is the foundation of every artificial grass surface. Mistakes made here can hardly be corrected later: dents, ripples, puddles, and weeds almost always originate in the foundation. We show you which structure is right for which sub-base and how to calculate material quantities. <\/p>\n\n

Which sub-base requires which structure?<\/h2>\n\n
Sub-base<\/th>Structure<\/th>Important<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Soil, old lawn<\/td>Excavation, gravel base layer, leveling layer, weed membrane<\/td>Compaction and slope<\/td><\/tr>
Concrete, screed<\/td>Drainage or leveling mat if necessary, artificial grass<\/td>Water drainage, check for cracks<\/td><\/tr>
Pavement<\/td>Leveling mat, artificial grass<\/td>Joints must not show through<\/td><\/tr>
Tiles, terrace<\/td>Drainage mat, artificial grass (loose or glued)<\/td>Slope towards the drain<\/td><\/tr>
Balcony, roof terrace<\/td>Drainage mat, artificial grass (loose-laid)<\/td>Protect waterproofing, weight, wind suction<\/td><\/tr>
Wooden deck<\/td>Only after inspection, with rear ventilation<\/td>Moisture can damage wood<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

The classic foundation in the garden<\/h2>\n\n

On soil, a professional foundation consists of several layers:<\/p>\n\n

Layer<\/th>Material<\/th>Thickness (guide value)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Artificial grass<\/td>e.g., Royal Grass\u00ae<\/td>\u2013<\/td><\/tr>
Weed membrane<\/a><\/td>water-permeable geotextile<\/td>\u2013<\/td><\/tr>
Leveling layer<\/td>Crushed sand<\/a> or high-grade grit<\/a>, e.g., 0\/5 or 2\/5<\/td>approx. 2\u20133 cm<\/td><\/tr>
Base layer<\/a><\/td>Gravel, e.g., 0\/32<\/td>approx. 5\u20138 cm<\/td><\/tr>
Subgrade<\/td>natural, compacted soil<\/td>\u2013<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Typical structure for private gardens; the base layer is reinforced for poorly load-bearing or loamy soils<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Step by step<\/h3>\n\n
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  1. Excavation:<\/strong> Remove lawn, roots, and topsoil to a depth of approx. 8\u201312 cm \u2013 see excavation<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n
  2. Compact the subgrade:<\/strong> Level the exposed soil and compact it with a vibratory plate compactor<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n
  3. Install edging:<\/strong> Install lawn edges or border stones before the gravel.<\/li>\n\n
  4. Install base layer:<\/strong> Apply gravel in layers and compact it.<\/li>\n\n
  5. Screed the leveling layer:<\/strong> Level precisely with a straightedge, plan for a slight slope<\/a>, and re-compact.<\/li>\n\n
  6. Lay weed membrane:<\/strong> with approx. 10 cm overlap.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    Calculate material requirements<\/h2>\n\n

    For an initial estimate, multiply the area by the layer thickness. Example for 50 m\u00b2: <\/p>\n\n

    Layer<\/th>Calculation<\/th>Volume<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Excavation (10 cm)<\/td>50 m\u00b2 \u00d7 0.10 m<\/td>5.0 m\u00b3<\/td><\/tr>
    Gravel (6 cm)<\/td>50 m\u00b2 \u00d7 0.06 m<\/td>3.0 m\u00b3 (compacted)<\/td><\/tr>
    Crushed sand\/grit (2.5 cm)<\/td>50 m\u00b2 \u00d7 0.025 m<\/td>1.25 m\u00b3 (compacted)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

    Since loose material settles during compaction, a surcharge is included when ordering. Your building material supplier will provide the appropriate values for the respective material. <\/p>\n\n

    Artificial grass on concrete, pavement, and tiles<\/h2>\n\n

    Solid surfaces are already load-bearing but do not drain water downwards. Therefore: <\/p>\n\n