QUALITY

INVEST IN QUALITY

Artificial grass is a long-term investment and we can ensure you get that with Smiling Rock.

We can promise you we are charging you an extremely competitive price for the quality of the product you will receive.

We have free turf samples available at our shop for you to take home and compare with other brands. We are so confident in our prices and our product that we welcome you to bring in samples from other companies, so we can compare it together.

At first glance, you may find competitors with ridiculously low prices, but we urge you to do your research and make sure all the photos they use are actually of their product and their work. Fake turf can be confusing because of how similar they all look, but it comes down to the longevity, feel to the touch, material construction, and guarantee. We encourage our customers to inspect their fake turf before purchase.

Questions you should be asking when you buy Artificial Grass.

– Paper Proof of UV Guarantee for a minimum of 7 years. Can the artificial grass withstand the harsh Australian Climate Condition?
– Turf Density: What is the Stitch Rate, Thickness, and how much material is actually used
– Kid and Pet Friendly: Is it tested and proven to be safe for health, will it deteriorate, does it contain lead?
– What is the backing made of? (PP; PU; Woven etc)
– Natural Look and Feel: What are the yarn color and yarn type?

Smiling Rock Melbourne supplies International standard-grade synthetic turf that is made and sold to Australian Standards.

Double Rubber Backing: PP (Polypropylene) + PE (Polyethylene)
Stitch Gaps: <10mm Water Drainage Holes: Every 10cm
Yarn Types: Straight Yarn (Emerald Green and Dark Olive Green)
Curly Yarn (Light Yellow and Green)Stitch Rate: Optimal

INSTALLATION

Click here to download our installation guide.

When it comes to a huge area to landscape, just thinking about the workload and time commitment for artificial grass to be installed may be alarming.
But not to worry! Just follow this easy 4-step artificial lawn installation guide and you’ll be looking down proudly at your newly done-up backyard in no time.
NO MORE WEEDING OR FERTILISING! NO MORE MOWING! NO MORE HIGH WATER BILLS!

STEP ONE – EXCAVATION OF EXISTING AREA

Once you have marked out the area for your new synthetic lawn, remove the existing lawn (and soil) up to a depth of 70mm, and be ready to fill the area with 60mm of blue metal dust. If prepping for a medium-to-high vehicular traffic area (such as the verge), clear the area to a depth of 100mm, filled with 80mm of road base, and 10mm of blue metal dust. If reticulation is present it is simply a matter of capping each pop-up sprinkler.

Tip: It is well worth hiring a turf-cutter if you have an existing lawn to remove, which will save you a considerable amount of time and effort. Don’t forget to hire a skip bin for the disposal of soil and leftover aggregate.
Calculating the right amount of aggregate to order is simple.
For example: If your total area is 40sqm, multiply it by the thickness of roadbase/cracker dust in mm. (e.g 0.06 for 60mm or 0.09 for 90mm (80mm roadbase + 10mm cracker dust). So 40 x 0.06 = 2.4 cubic meters is the amount of cracker dust you’ll need. The same equation applies to bin size.

STEP TWO – INSTALLING THE BASE

It’s time to compact the base for your artificial lawn. Fill the area with blue metal dust. Carefully screed the area and thoroughly compact it using a vibrating plate compactor. (Compacting will bring the thickness down approx. 10mm). Lightly dampen the area with water to help bind the dust, which will allow you to identify any sunken areas that need to be filled as you go. Compact for the second time.
Tip: Spend extra time on the base work as the result will be the difference between an average installation job and a professional installation! Try to give the area some contour and body because an overly flat lawn can look “fake”.

STEP THREE – INSTALLING THE SYNTHETIC LAWN

3.1 Ensure that the grains are running in the same direction when laying out the full pieces of lawn.
3.2 Cut your lawn to the desired shape with a sharp Stanley knife when it is laid down. To make the joins look seamless, you need to ensure the seams are cut close to grain.
3.3 Leave about 100mm around all the edges before placing the lawn together so that the joins are not visible. This may vary slightly om one lawn to another.
3.4 Stand back and take a look before joining together. Trust your eyes and adjust if necessary.
3.5 Once you are happy with the join, fold back each piece about 400mm and lay the joining tape (adhesive side up) down the center of the two pieces.
3.6 Using lawn pins anchor the tape down at each end. Peel off the protective tape of the adhesive and place the two pieces back together.
3.7 Trim all the edges (remember to leave 30mm-50mm excess on the perimeter), pin around the outside edges approx 30mm in and 50cm apart. You may also pin either side of the joining tape for extra strength.

Tip: Take care not to trap the blades of the lawn under the pins.

STEP FOUR – FILLING WITH WHITE SAND

For the optimum look, brush the artificial lawn up with a stiff garden broom against the grain. Spread the washed white sand over the lawn as evenly as possible either by hand or shovel. Brush each lot to distribute the sand evenly. Aim for a depth of approximately 5-10mm depending on the pile height of the lawn. (Note: always start with less sand and add more as you go along if you feel the need to). Job well done!

Tip: The sand infill is very important so do not compromise. Not only does it improve the look of the lawn but also more importantly it protects the backing from the UV rays.

MAINTENANCE

Deciding to get synthetic grass is a considerable investment in your property, keeping it well maintained looking at its premium makes good sense. Although synthetic grass doesn’t have the same fortnightly maintenance natural lawn requires, it still needs to be maintained once or twice yearly to ensure it keeps its optimum appearance and performance. An ongoing maintenance service will ensure
that your Artificial Turf will last well beyond its warranty period and is looking its best for you and the family to enjoy for many years to come.

Weeds

No garden is entirely maintenance free! It is impossible to eradicate weeds appearing totally in synthetic grass. Occasionally the wind can blow seeds in and anywhere there is a tiny bit of dirt, sunlight and water, weeds can grow, like in the cracks in between pavers in paved areas. This can sometimes happen to synthetic grass both around the perimeter and in the body of the grass.

These weeds are easy to remove by spraying with a weed killer such as “Round Up.” This will not discolour or damage the appearance of your Artificial Turf and will generally take 8-10 days for the poison to take full effect on the weeds. Remember, always spray in dry conditions and when the weather is going to be fine for a full 48 hours. Don’t pull the weeds out if you spray them, let the poison take its full effect and kill the weeds before removing them.

Stains, Spills, Damage

Synthetic grass is made from a polyethylene fiber and is very resistant to staining. Scraping off any solid residue, then either hosing down or wiping with warm soapy water should promptly clean any spills. Any stubborn marks you can normally remove with a range of cleaning products and a rag, taking precautions not to over saturate.

Pets

Any mess made by pets can easily be scooped, brushed or hosed away. There are products available at pet supply stores especially formulated that can be sprayed onto the synthetic grass surface without damaging it, and removes any pet odors. Waggles “Wee Care” is a proven product for such a use.

General Care

1. Adding more white sand onto the artificial lawn & brushing it up when the grass blades appear to be going flat.
2. Cleaning up after your pets regularly and hosing down. You may use a white vinegar solution mixed with water (50/50 ratio) can remove any stubborn smells.
3. Sweeping off dead leaves to keep the artificial lawn looking neat & tidy.
4. Avoid harsh chemicals coming in contact with your artificial grass.
5. Cigarette burns/ashes and smoldering charcoal can damage your artificial turf.