How to Seam Artificial Turf So the Joint Stays Hidden

Knowing how to seam artificial turf is what separates a lawn that reads as one continuous surface from one with a visible stripe where two rolls meet. The joint has to hold under traffic, stay flexible as the ground moves, and disappear into the fibers on both sides. That takes the right tape, the right adhesive, a clean cut and some patience while the glue sets.

This guide walks through the materials, the seaming steps published by the manufacturers we carry, and the mistakes that make a seam show. Follow the instructions on your adhesive cartridge and the manufacturer's data sheet for your specific products, because backings, adhesives and turf styles differ.

Why turf seams fail

Synthetic turf comes in rolls, so unless your area is narrower than the roll, you are joining two pieces. A seam fails in one of two ways. It either pulls apart, which is a strength and bonding problem, or it telegraphs, which is a cutting and alignment problem. Tape and adhesive solve the first. Careful trimming, matching the grain and brushing the fibers solve the second.

The ground underneath matters too. Alliance's XTurf guide calls for a compacted crushed stone base with a geotextile such as Alliance Gator Fabric GF4.4 under it, with fabric seams overlapped by 12 in. If the base moves, even a well glued seam can open.

What you need to seam artificial turf

A turf seam and perimeter kit has four parts, and each does a different job. You can find them together in our turf accessories collection.

Seaming tape

Seaming tape runs underneath the joint and gives the adhesive a surface to grab. SRW Seams Right Turf Seaming Tape is listed by SRW in 6 in x 100 ft, 12 in x 50 ft and 12 in x 100 ft rolls, with high tensile and shear strength, and is designed to be used with Seams Right Turf Adhesive. Alliance's Gator XTurf Seam Tape comes in 1 ft x 100 ft and 1 ft x 300 ft rolls, has a laminated bottom that goes face down on the gravel, and a dotted center line that marks where the two turf edges meet.

Turf adhesive

SRW Seams Right Turf Adhesive is a moisture curing polyurethane in a 28 oz cartridge. SRW lists it as weather resistant and fast setting, says it maintains flexibility through the life of the project, and adds a green pigment so any squeeze out blends into the turf. SRW's catalog gives its coverage as about 35 ft of 3/8 in bead per cartridge. Alliance pairs its seam tape with Alliance Gator Block Bond XP adhesive. Use the tape and adhesive combination the manufacturer designed together.

Turf nails

SRW Turf Nails come in two styles. The 5 in 40D smooth bright steel nail is made to start rusting in the soil, which SRW says secures the turf better over time. The 6 in 60D spiral galvanized nail resists rust, which SRW notes makes later turf maintenance easier.

Landscape staples

SRW Landscape Fabric Staples are 11 gauge steel, offered in 4, 6 and 8 in lengths. They pin the base fabric down before any turf goes on.

How to seam artificial turf, step by step

The steps below follow the seaming method in Alliance's XTurf installation guide and seam tape data sheet. If you are using SRW Seams Right tape and adhesive, follow the cartridge directions for bead pattern and timing.

1. Relax the turf. Alliance recommends leaving the turf exposed to the sun and heat for a few hours so it expands and flattens before you cut.
2. Trim the seaming edges. With a sharp utility knife, remove the outer three tufts on each seaming edge. Alliance notes that trimming the backing tight to the tuft row leaves straight blades at the joint.
3. Match the direction. Lay the second roll in the same direction as the first, then brush a section of both rolls where they meet and check the blades, color and shape from several angles. Lighting can make the same turf look different from different sides.
4. Check the gap. Alliance's tufts are spaced 3/8 in apart, so line up the rows to keep that spacing across the joint. You should see an open gap of 1/8 in to 1/4 in with no excess backing.
5. Place the tape. Roll the seam tape down the center of the joint with no folds or wrinkles, laminated side down on Alliance tape. Alliance secures the tape with two 6 in nails at both ends.
6. Apply the adhesive. Run the glue in a straight line or serpentine pattern about 1 in from the tape's center line on each side, so it does not squeeze up into the middle of the seam. Alliance says to clean any glue that bleeds into the seam immediately with a solvent.
7. Close the seam like a zipper. Bring both edges down slowly, keeping your eyes ahead of the closure so the pieces stay aligned, and keep the 1/8 in to 1/4 in gap.
8. Press it in. Press the ends firmly, then work back along the seam to push the adhesive into the tufts and backing. Alliance notes that a roller helps transfer adhesive to the backing.
9. Let it set, then brush. Alliance says its XP glue can be repositioned for up to 30 minutes and that the seam should be set, 3 to 4 hours, before brooming. Cure time varies with temperature and humidity.

Securing the perimeter

Knowing how to seam artificial turf only gets you halfway; the edges have to be fastened too. Alliance's guide places 6 in spiral nails 1/4 in to 1/2 in from the turf edge, every 4 in to 6 in. Every 6 ft from the edge in the roll direction, it calls for a knee kicker to remove loose folds, then a straight line of nails every 12 in. The nail heads should sit flat against the backing with no blades trapped under them. For putting greens, Alliance specifies 4 in non-galvanized finishing nails.

After nailing, infill goes on. Alliance lists Gator XTurf Infill Sand in Gator Beige as a primary infill at 1.5 to 3 lb per sq ft for landscape turf with a 1 to 2 in pile, and recommends its Zeo-White infill as a topping layer in pet areas to help reduce odors. Check the infill data sheet for the rate that matches your pile height.

Common turf seaming mistakes

• Gluing turf to turf without tape. The backing is not a bonding surface on its own, and the seam will creep.
• Glue in the middle of the seam. Adhesive that squeezes up between the edges traps fibers and shows. Keep the bead about 1 in off the center line.
• Cutting through the blades. A blade that is long enough to cut the backing but not the fibers leaves a cleaner edge.
• Mismatched grain. Two pieces facing opposite directions look like two lawns, no matter how strong the bond.
• Brushing or walking too soon. Give the adhesive its set time before you broom the seam or load it.
• A loose base fabric. If the geotextile was never pinned, the lawn can shift and pull even a good seam apart.

Pet areas, playgrounds and putting greens

SRW lists Seams Right tape and adhesive for synthetic turf, putting greens, pet areas, playgrounds and landscaping. These areas see concentrated traffic in the same spots, and pet runs get rinsed often, so a flexible, weather resistant adhesive and a well pinned perimeter matter more than on a decorative lawn. For putting greens, follow the shorter nail and lower infill rates the turf manufacturer specifies.

Working out quantities

Once you know how to seam artificial turf, the rest is planning. Measure the total seam length before you order tape and adhesive, and add for the ends of rolls. Use the adhesive coverage on the cartridge to estimate how many tubes you need for your bead size, and remember you will need a caulking gun rated for 28 oz cartridges. Data sheets for the turf products we sell are in our TDS and SDS library.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need seaming tape, or can you just glue the edges?

Use tape. The tape gives the adhesive a continuous surface under both edges, and both Alliance and SRW design their adhesives to be used with their seam tape.

How wide should the gap be at an artificial turf seam?

Alliance's XTurf guide calls for an open gap of 1/8 in to 1/4 in between the two trimmed edges, with no excess backing left in the joint.

How long before you can brush or walk on a new seam?

Alliance says its XP glue seam should be set, 3 to 4 hours, before brooming, and that cure time depends on temperature and humidity. For SRW Seams Right adhesive, follow the times on the cartridge.

Which turf nail should you use?

SRW's 5 in 40D smooth nail is made to rust in the soil for a stronger hold. The 6 in 60D spiral galvanized nail resists rust, which makes it easier to pull turf up later for maintenance.

Can you seam turf when it is raining?

Alliance advises against gluing in the rain or onto standing water, because moisture shortens the open time of polyurethane adhesive. Wait for a dry day.