Artificial Grass - I'm considering using at my Gaff

[Pumpuynarak]

As the topic title suggests i'm considering using at my gaff here in Korat. Now i'm thinking of using not to replace my grass lawn but on the concrete/sandwash that surrounds the house and provides my driveway. Now i'm no builder so i'd like to know from any experienced/knowledgable BM's if this is feasable, can you drive your car over it ?

I'm trying to achieve a good result with the least amount of work involved, my current sandwashed concrete really is past its sell by date and something needs to be done but the obvious solution of just putting new concrete over the sandwash would be a labour intensive messy project, something i want to avoid if possible. Thanks for any help/advice guys.

Here's a few pics showing the sandwash or lack of it....

[fygjam]

I'm not a builder, I don't have experience and my knowledge is definitely questionable but I once looked at artificial turf to cover some bare ground. The amount of prep work required. A layer of this compacted. Then a layer of that compacted. Then layout the green carpet pegged down at fairly close intervals. And finally a layer of coarse sand/aggregate on top, maybe 2-3cm deep.

I'm pretty sure there are better alternatives. Tiles? Even a good epoxy paving paint?

Or if you wanted to remove the old concrete.

https://www.grasscel.com/

 

Edited September 20, 2025 by fygjam

[Aqualung]

I'm with @fygjam on this. 

Artificial grass when new looks great but once you start to use it frequently it flattens out, fades, shrinks and can look a right mess in a relatively short space of time. Compare it to a soi 6 pool table! 

Definitely don't drive your car over it. Waste of money. 

On the plus side it's easy to take care of if it's unused. Just a yard brush to pick up the pile once in a while. 

[Pumpuynarak]

I forgot to add this to my original post.....

 

[Pumpuynarak]

28 minutes ago, Aqualung said:

On the plus side it's easy to take care of if it's unused. Just a yard brush to pick up the pile once in a while. 

Well other than my driveway it would'nt be used, just walked over from time to time. I think i'd have to forget putting it on the driveway and maybe put non slip tiles instead. 

[Pumpuynarak]

51 minutes ago, fygjam said:

I'm pretty sure there are better alternatives. Tiles? Even a good epoxy paving paint?

Its a pretty large area to tile all over thats why i was looking at the fake grass alternative but i may very well end up going down that route. I can get some quality non slip concrete tiles/slabs.

Quick question - Should i have the house painted first before sorting out the house surround/driveway ?  

[fygjam]

30 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Its a pretty large area to tile all over thats why i was looking at the fake grass alternative but i may very well end up going down that route. I can get some quality non slip concrete tiles/slabs.

Quick question - Should i have the house painted first before sorting out the house surround/driveway ?  

Yeah, I'd get the painting out the way first. Would save having to get the Thai tradesmen to be extra careful not to spill or splash.

 

[fygjam]

58 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Its a pretty large area to tile all over thats why i was looking at the fake grass alternative but i may very well end up going down that route. I can get some quality non slip concrete tiles/slabs.

Quick question - Should i have the house painted first before sorting out the house surround/driveway ?  

When I lived there many of the forecourts in the soi were tiles over concrete, many with vehicles parked on them.

Looks just the same as when I left so many years ago.

 

[forcebwithu]

Too often the tiles used are very slippery when wet. If you decide to go the tile route, just make sure they're of the non-slip variety.

[Glasseye]

 

When I re-do my very small garden I plan to use small gravel (compacting) in the back area. Natural grass (following a couple of big loads of quality soil). Then nice plantings around the perimeter. I will hire a part time gardener to put it in and tend to it until it becomes established.

 

The problem I have heard with fake turf grass is that it is very difficult to clean, issues with drainage, and gets dirty smelly easy.

Don't know any of this from personal experience, just what I have been told.

[lazarus]

What about using "grassblock"..?

It allows for stormwater drainage and is relatively low maintenance. One & done.

https://grasscrete.com/grassblock

. . .

 

[Pumpuynarak]

23 minutes ago, lazarus said:

What about using "grassblock"..?

It allows for stormwater drainage and is relatively low maintenance. One & done.

https://grasscrete.com/grassblock

. . .

 

Thanks Matt, I looked at that but i have to say i don't like the look of it. Its part grass and part concrete, just look at the top right of the pic.

[boydeste]

For me, I would coat it with a coloured non slip resin or tiles as suggested. 

A few swims that I fish have put astro turf down and it soon gets soiled and looks messy.

These are brand new and are starting to get a bit shabby with just anglers walking on them.

[KWA]

3 hours ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Thanks Matt, I looked at that but i have to say i don't like the look of it.

Glad it wasn't just me.  My first thought was it looked hideous.

[Yessongs]

On 9/20/2025 at 11:18 AM, forcebwithu said:

Too often the tiles used are very slippery when wet. If you decide to go the tile route, just make sure they're of the non-slip variety.

@Pumpuynarak i say go this route...

[Pumpuynarak]

45 minutes ago, Yessongs said:

@Pumpuynarak i say go this route...

This is what i had in the UK, large concrete slabs which were brill, thats what i'd like to put down here in Thailand. 

[Glasseye]

On 9/20/2025 at 12:54 PM, boydeste said:

For me, I would coat it with a coloured non slip resin or tiles as suggested. 

A few swims that I fish have put astro turf down and it soon gets soiled and looks messy.

These are brand new and are starting to get a bit shabby with just anglers walking on them.

 

4 hours ago, Yessongs said:

@Pumpuynarak i say go this route...

 

 

Yep

[Butch]

Just consider the drainage aspect as well. Good quality install will be better than regular grass for drainage, but a bad one won't be. your sub base needs to be done properly for the water to soak through then into the soil below that.

I don't think driving a car over it is recommended, as the weight of the vehicle can over time, depress the sub base so you get compressed channels beneath the surface - again it goes back to how well the sub base is and the actual robustness of the original product, plus turning the wheels on it could cause the fibres to tear out from the base layer.

[Glasseye]

On 9/22/2025 at 3:23 PM, Butch said:

Just consider the drainage aspect as well. Good quality install will be better than regular grass for drainage, but a bad one won't be. your sub base needs to be done properly for the water to soak through then into the soil below that.

I don't think driving a car over it is recommended, as the weight of the vehicle can over time, depress the sub base so you get compressed channels beneath the surface - again it goes back to how well the sub base is and the actual robustness of the original product, plus turning the wheels on it could cause the fibres to tear out from the base layer.

 

Excellent advice Butch.

 

[Pumpuynarak]

I think my mind is made up, i'm deffo going to go with concrete tiles/slabs with no grouting just butted against each other. I've got a builder lined up to start the work at the end of the rainy season. I'll update the topic when the work commences for those that are interested.