Frequently Asked Questions – All You Need to Know About  Artificial Turf, Astro Turf, Installation and more

Synthetic grass offers several key advantages over hard court surfaces for schools and sports facilities:

• Natural aesthetics: Artificial grass fits the surrounding environment far better than sealed concrete or asphalt, creating a more welcoming space for students and players.
• All-weather playability: The surface drains efficiently and can be used almost immediately after heavy rain, something hard courts or sports fields can’t always offer.
• Joint-friendly: Synthetic grass is significantly easier on players’ ankles, knees, and hips during sustained play and training, reducing the risk of impact-related injuries.
• Versatility: A single artificial grass court can support multiple sports, netball, basketball, tennis, hockey, and more, making it an excellent investment for schools.
• Longevity and low maintenance: Properly installed artificial turf NZ products typically last 15 years, depending on usage. Maintenance is straightforward, clear debris regularly and apply an annual moss and algae treatment.
• Colour and customisation: Artificial grass is available in a range of colours, and school colours, logos, or designs can be incorporated directly into the surface, creating a surface that reflects your school’s identity.
• Inclusivity: A well-designed artificial grass surface can cater to all students. Games like four square, hopscotch, and other playground markings can be built directly into the surface, giving every child a reason to get outside and play.

In a private residence 34m x 16m, up to a maximum of 36m x 18m. Inner city sites can be smaller depending on the space available. Actual playing area is 23.78m x 10.97m.

30.5m X 15.25m

No, the court surface is loose laid over the base with all seams taped and glued. The sand infill holds the court in place – there is approximately 10-12 tonne of sand per court. In areas where the court is exposed to high winds, the edge of the court should be glued to the base.

The drainage is very similar to natural turf. The turf backing has plenty of perforated holes allowing for water to drain vertically. The infill acts as a filter also.

Either concrete or asphalt are the preferred base options. Depending on the stability of the sub base and depth of the base course, we recommend a minimum 100mm reinforced slab with a 1% fall across the surface. The concrete can be fiber reinforced or include steel mesh reinforcing in 20mpa concrete.

North to slightly North-East.

Teamturf’s artificial grass products have a typical life expectancy of 15–25 years depending on the product, usage, and application. Factory warranties range from 8–15 years across our range. For schools and organisations with sustainability commitments, our Bermuda turf is fully recyclable at end of life, and when paired with our Shockplay underlay system, it delivers exceptional safety performance and durability in one complete solution. Residential artificial grass installations in lower-traffic areas often exceed 20 years with appropriate care. Our team can advise you on the right product and warranty level for your specific project.

Regular spraying for moss and algae, and sand grooming.

Artificial turf (also known as synthetic turf, artificial grass, or astro turf) is a manufactured surface engineered to replicate the look and performance of natural grass. In New Zealand, artificial turf products are used across a wide range of applications, from school multi-use courts and playground surfaces to residential lawns and professional sports fields. Modern artificial grass uses advanced fibre technology to deliver exceptional durability, safety, and a natural appearance year-round, without the ongoing water, mowing, and maintenance demands of natural turf. Teamturf has been supplying and installing artificial turf NZ-wide for over 20 years, across sports, playgrounds, schools, and home landscaping.

Astro turf and artificial grass offer significant advantages for New Zealand conditions:

• All-weather performance: NZ’s variable weather means natural grass can become waterlogged or worn. Artificial grass drains efficiently and stays playable year-round, no more cancelled games or closed playgrounds.
• Low maintenance: No mowing, watering, fertilising or reseeding. An annual moss and algae spray treatment is typically all that’s required.
• Durability: High-quality artificial turf NZ products withstand heavy use from sports, play, and foot traffic without deteriorating. Life expectancy is typically 15 years depending on usage.
• Safety: Artificial grass with appropriate underlay significantly reduces injury risk, particularly important for school playgrounds and sports surfaces.
• Consistent appearance: Stays green and well-presented regardless of season, drought, or wear patterns.
• Sustainability: Some Teamturf products, such as our Bermuda range, are fully recyclable at end of life and eliminate the need for water, pesticides, and petrol-powered mowing over their lifetime.

The cost can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the wicket, the quality of the cricket astro turf, and specific installation requirements. It is advisable to consult with turf suppliers or professionals to obtain accurate cost estimates tailored to your project needs.

Artificial turf installation costs in NZ generally range from $80 to $200 per square metre including GST for professional installation. Several factors influence the final price:

• Area size: Larger projects typically benefit from economies of scale
• Site preparation: Installing over existing concrete or asphalt is more straightforward than full ground excavation and basecourse preparation
• Turf product: Entry-level residential artificial grass differs in cost from performance-grade sports turf or playground safety systems
• Location: Costs can vary between Auckland, Christchurch, and other regions depending on the local agent
• Access and site complexity

For DIY artificial lawn installation, you’re primarily paying for materials, which significantly reduces the overall cost. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your project.

Yes, artificial golf turf and artificial grass putting green are available for wholesale purchase. Many installers offer bulk purchasing options, which can be cost-effective for larger projects or commercial installations. Wholesale options typically provide a variety of turf types suitable for different golfing or putting green needs. View available options here! 

Artificial grass putting greens offer several benefits: Low Maintenance: They eliminate the need for watering, mowing, and fertilisation. Durability: High-quality turf can last over 10 years with proper care. Year-Round Use: They provide a consistent playing surface regardless of weather conditions. Aesthetic and Property Value: Enhance the beauty of your backyard and potentially increase property value.

Yes, our pad and artificial turf grass system meets NZ Safety Standards NZS 5828:2015.

The proplay pad and turf provides one of the most cost effective solutions on the market, in particular for the higher fall height areas of a playground.

Yes. Research shows children experience fewer injuries when playing on artificial grass compared to harder surfaces like asphalt or concrete. Teamturf’s playground artificial turf systems are installed at numerous schools and early childhood centres across New Zealand. Our ProPlay system meets all NZ Safety Standard requirements (NZS 5828:2015) and the turf fibres are manufactured to be soft, durable, and free from harmful substances. Artificial grass also removes the risk of muddy, slippery wet-weather surfaces, keeping play areas safe and accessible year-round regardless of the weather. For specific questions about fall height compliance or safety specifications for your playground equipment, our team is happy to help.

Spraying for moss and algae may need to completed annually,  and grooming of the turf to keep it clean and free of debris. 

A proper artificial lawn installation at home starts with thorough base preparation. Our recommended synthetic grass installation process includes the following steps:

• Remove a minimum of 100mm of existing grass and topsoil and dispose off-site
• Install ground-treated timber edging around the perimeter to secure the new surface, particularly around high-wear areas
• Lay geotextile cloth over the subgrade to separate the underlying surface from the basecourse and prevent weed growth
• Import, level, and compact a minimum of 85mm of GAP20 basecourse, topped with 15mm of GAP7 for final levelling
• Lay the selected artificial grass, gluing all seams with 300mm cloth tape and solvent adhesive, and nailing edges securely to the timber
• Apply sand infill using a drop spreader (3 passes), brushing the fibres upright between each pass. A total of 15kg/sqm is recommended to properly support the fibre base

For a full DIY walkthrough, see the DIY FAQ section below. Professional synthetic turf installation by a Teamturf agent is recommended for larger areas or complex sites.

Periodically a weed will try to come up, most commonly on the edges near concrete. It is possible to see one come up in a drain hole. If that happens pull up the weed and spray the area with a little weed killer, it will stop the weed from coming up again and won’t harm the turf.

The affected area can be cut out and replaced very easily.

No your pet will not damage your synthetic turf, the turf fibres are very strong and can withstand play and use from cats and dogs.

Yes—artificial grass is completely safe for dogs and other pets, and is one of the most popular reasons NZ homeowners choose it for their backyards. A few things worth knowing:

• The turf fibres are tough and resilient, they handle digging, scratching, running, and rough play from cats and dogs without deteriorating
• Drainage works just as it does on natural grass. Liquid waste passes straight through the perforated turf backing and into the ground below
• Solid waste is easily removed, and a rinse with a garden hose keeps the surface fresh. For extra hygiene, an occasional spray with a pet-safe disinfectant is all that’s needed
• Artificial grass for dogs also solves the muddy patches and worn bare areas that pets commonly create on natural lawns, no more muddy paws through the house
• Odour control: For households with multiple pets or dogs that use the lawn frequently, Teamturf’s Turf Fresh deodoriser is specifically formulated for artificial grass, neutralising odours and keeping the surface smelling fresh. Available to purchase in our online shop.

If your dog is a heavy digger around the edges, ask your installer about securing the perimeter particularly well during installation. Browse our residential artificial grass range to find the right option for your home and your pets.

📝 Note: ‘Browse our residential artificial grass range’ should link to the Home Landscaping product page.

No, the turf is installed with the correct volume of sand.

Spraying for moss and algae may need to be completed annually for any small weeds that may appear within the sand layer,  and grooming of the turf with a stiff yard brush and rake to keep it clean and free of debris.

Yes—Teamturf supplies artificial grass for DIY synthetic grass installation throughout New Zealand. Our online shop includes turf rolls, sand infill, joining tape, solvent adhesive, and all the accessories you need for a successful fake grass installation. Before you start, there are a few things to get right:

• Measure carefully and account for pile direction when calculating how much turf you need — our shop has a measuring guide to help
• Base preparation is the most important part of any synthetic turf installation. You’ll need to excavate at least 100mm, lay geotextile cloth, and compact a GAP20 basecourse before laying the turf
• Use 300mm cloth joining tape and solvent glue for joins, double-sided tape is easier but cloth and glue gives a better long-term result
• Apply sand infill slowly using a drop spreader, brushing fibres upright between passes. Rushing this step is the most common DIY mistake

For a full step-by-step guide, see the rest of the DIY FAQ section below. For larger areas, sports courts, or school playgrounds, professional synthetic turf installation by one of our trained agents is recommended to protect your warranty and get the best long-term result, contact us to find your nearest agent.

Please refer to our Guide for measuring turf on our shop page or click here for a pdf.

The artificial grass pile should face toward your house or deck or entertaining areas. Any areas joined together must all run the same direction.

It is not possible to get it absolutely even without a spreader. You can hire a drop spreader from hire shops. Otherwise, a square mouth shovel in small drops over the full width of the square end, or some people will use a bucket with holes in the bottom and walk this back and forth – although this can take a long time!
Please note – once sand has been too heavily distributed in one spot, it is extremely difficult to spread that sand out…

The preference is to use 300mm cloth joining tape and 226 solvent glue.  We sell smaller quantities of glue on our website and tape, or the other option for sake of ease, is double sided joining tape. We always recommend cloth tape and glue.

It’s best to use a landscape 4mm square notch trowel.

Turf is easy to cut with a new blade on a box cutter knife – cut from the backing and follow the seam lines. Try and keep an equal distance between each side of the cut so that excess backing does not show.

Landscaping pins into basecourse and 30mm clouts into timber edging.

100mm – 90mm of Gap 20, compacted followed by a screed of GAP7 for final levels.

Not if the  subgrade is clay or strong. Generally you should use geocloth on topsoil or sloping areas.

Timber or basecourse 10-15mm below path.

You’d need to hire a 60kg min plate compactor.

Trim off 1-2 ribs of both side of the roll (around 1.5cm).

Nail every 150mm