TurfPave Installation in 6 Easy Steps and Mistakes to Avoid!

TurfPave is a soil reinforcement system in the form of hexagonal panels or modules resembling a honeycomb, much like a geocell.

However, TurfPave is designed to facilitate grass growth that is not damaged when vehicles by vehicle traffic, and to facilitate water drainage in green parking areas (grass).

On the other hand, geocell is used for broader soil stabilization in various construction projects.

TurfPave is generally made from plastic polymers such as polypropylene, capable of supporting loads up to 200 tons/m2, like TurfPave XD when unfilled and has a compressive strength of over 2,000 tons/m2 when sand filled.

The module size (L x W x H = 500 x 500 x 40 mm) and weighs approximately 4.3 kg/m2, making it capable of supporting heavy vehicles such as fire trucks.

Its use is mostly used for landscape architecture needs, such as stabilizing the ground and grass surface in green parking areas, as an alternative to asphalt, paving blocks, and grass blocks.

The surface looks like a regular grass field, but has the strength to withstand vehicle traffic without damaging the grass or causing changes to the ground’s contours.

TurfPave Functions and Applications 

Several TurfPave functions are specifically applied to landscape architecture. These functions include both technical and aesthetic functions.

Structural (Technical) Function

1. Strengthens grassy soil for vehicle passage without damaging the roots.

2. Distributes the load from vehicle wheels more evenly so that it does not directly press on the subsoil.

3. Reduces soil compaction and waterlogging, which hinder grass growth and cause root damage.

Aesthetic Function

1. Creates multifunctional landscape infrastructure, which can be used as a parking lot and a garden.

2. Improves drainage so that water can infiltrate the soil through the pores of the planting medium, preventing puddles and muddy areas, which can damage the aesthetics.

How to Do TurfPave Installation on Your Landscape Architecture Project?

How is TurfPave installed? TurfPave installation is similar to road construction, but when installing TurfPave, the planting medium used is soil and grass.

This alternative solves the problem of creating parking lots or lawns, which are usually time-consuming and slightly more expensive.

Here are the steps for TurfPave installation:

Stage 1: Land Preparation

Land preparation is carried out to plan the area for TurfPave installation. As with any other project, it is necessary to level the ground surface. To facilitate drainage, it is recommended to create a slope of approximately 2-3% from the subgrade surface.

Stage 2: Excavating the Foundation Layer

Excavate the ground 15-25 cm deep for the TurfPave placement. However, this depends on the load capacity of the TurfPave. You can add crushed stone or another 10-15 cm of crushed stone, then compact it using a compactor or roller.

Step 3: Giving an Aggregate Layer Over the Foundation

To strengthen and stabilize the installation, layers of aggregate are required, such as sand, stone sand, or concrete, if necessary.

Add at least 5-10 cm (adjust according to your needs). Then, smooth and compact the surface to make it more even.

Step 4: TurfPave Installation

The TurfPave panels or modules are placed on top of the aggregate layer. Then, connect the panels using the special lock provided by the manufacturer or distributor. A good TurfPave installation is tight or without large gaps.

Step 5: Filling the Planting Media

You can fill the TurfPave cell panels with a soil mixture and plant some planting media, like a grass. You can make sure all the panel cells are completely filled and level to facilitate planting the grass. After that, you can water the area sufficiently.

Step 6: Regular Maintenance and Periodic Checking

After planting, carry out regular checks and maintenance within a certain period of time.

Water regularly from the day after installation until the next few weeks, checking to see if the TurfPave is lifting or if any grass has been uprooted or died.

Make sure the grass can grow and form strong roots for 4–6 weeks before use.

TurfPave Installation Mistakes (Must Avoid!)

During installation, there are several mistakes that can cause TurfPave to quickly become damaged or kill the grass.

If you want your installation investment to save money, effort, and time, you must pay attention to these.

Mistake 1: Installation Without a Strong Foundation and Aggregate

The first, very common mistake is installing TurfPave directly on the original soil without using a layer of aggregate such as sand, small stones, or bedding.

This results in the soil sinking more quickly due to the loss of its bearing capacity, resulting in an uneven surface, and the panels cracking due to the lack of a stabilizing layer.

It’s best to add a layer of aggregate such as sand to a height of 15-25 cm.

Mistake 2: Panels Were Not Left Loose and Locked Tightly

The installation didn’t pay attention to precise panel installation, resulting in many gaps and looseness in the panels or TurfPave joints.

As a result, the panels can shift and become unstable under heavy loads, resulting in an uneven surface and a risk of collapse.

The solution is to always check that the panels placed on the aggregate have no looseness.

Mistake 3: Poor TurfPave Drainage

When the foundation excavation fails to take into account the slope (elevation) for the drainage system.

This results in excess water from irrigation or rainwater pooling on the panels. which results in rapid grass root decay, frequent grass death, and soft TurfPave soil structure.