What sand do you use for artificial grass?

Where does sand go in an artificial lawn?

There are two quite different layers, and people often mix them up:

1. The base, under the grass. This is usually a layer of crushed stone for drainage and strength, topped with a finer layer, often sharp sand or a fine crushed stone dust, levelled and compacted so the grass lies smooth.
2. The infill, on top of the grass. This is a dry sand brushed down between the fibres once the grass is laid and joined.

The sand for each job is different. A sand that suits the base can be a poor choice on top, and the reverse.

QuoteZila starts in Cheshire, with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach first, and anyone in the UK can post an artificial grass job.

What sand goes on top as infill?

The usual infill is kiln-dried sand, often a silica sand. It is dried in a kiln so it pours and brushes like dust, and its grains are fairly even in size.

Infill does several jobs:

• adds weight, so the grass stays flat and doesn't ripple or lift at the edges
• helps the fibres stand up, so the lawn looks fuller
• protects the backing at the base of the fibres
• helps with drainage through the fibres to the holes in the backing

Some infills are sold for particular uses, such as products for lawns used by pets, or coloured infills that blend in. Whatever you choose, the maker of your grass is the place to check what infill it takes and how much.

The sand comes as a fine, dry powder. Wear a dust mask and gloves when pouring and brushing it, and follow the safety label on the bag.

What sand goes underneath in the base?

The base is where most of the work in an artificial lawn goes. A typical build-up is:

• the old turf and some soil dug out
• a weed membrane, if used
• a layer of crushed stone, compacted
• a finer levelling layer, compacted and screeded flat
• sometimes a second membrane on top

For the levelling layer, installers often use sharp sand or a fine crushed stone dust. Sharp sand has coarser, angular grains that lock together and drain. Soft building sand, the kind used for mortar, is not usually used, because it holds water and can move.

Building sand vs sharp sand explains the difference in more detail.

Digging out a lawn produces a lot of turf and soil. GOV.UK's waste code says a tradesperson who carries out work on your property is responsible for the waste they produce, and that the cost of its disposal should be included in what they charge ^[S2]. Ask who takes the old turf away before you agree a price.

Do you need permission to lay artificial grass?

Usually not. The Planning Portal says that in most cases neither planning permission nor building control approval is required to replace grass with artificial grass ^[S1]. If you live in a protected area such as a conservation area, or in a listed building, it says it is good practice to contact your local planning authority to check whether any consents are needed ^[S1].

If you rent, check your tenancy agreement and ask the landlord before replacing a lawn.

How do you top up or refresh the infill?

Over time, infill gets washed or brushed out in some areas and builds up in others. Signs that a lawn needs attention:

• fibres lying flat in busy areas, such as paths and around a back door
• the backing showing between fibres
• edges lifting or wrinkling in hot weather
• puddles that are slow to drain

A light top-up of the same infill, brushed in against the grain with a stiff broom, often helps. If drainage is poor across the whole lawn, the problem may be in the base, not the infill, and an installer should look at it.

Jobs you might post

These are examples, not taken from real job posts.

• "Want the back lawn replaced with artificial grass, about the size of a double garage. Please include the base, infill and turf removal."
• "Artificial grass laid a few years ago is flat and patchy. Looking for someone to brush it up and top up the infill."
• "Small front lawn to change to artificial grass. We have a dog, so please suggest a suitable infill."

Citizens Advice says a quote is a fixed price, while an estimate is just a rough guess, and suggests getting written quotes from at least 3 different traders ^[S3]. What changes the cost of artificial grass explains the price side, and how to install artificial grass walks through the whole job. Our landscapers page covers the trade.

Your job goes to up to five matched local businesses ^[QZ2]. QuoteZila is free for customers and local businesses ^[QZ1].

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Questions about sand for artificial grass

Part of Advice. All services

Related trades

• Landscapers
• Gardeners and landscapers

Cost guides

• Artificial grass cost
• Landscape gardeners cost

Related questions and guides

• Install artificial grass

Related pages

• French Drains in Cheshire: What to Ask First. A French drain in Cheshire is a trench that moves surface water. This page says what a quote should name. It prints no price and no digging method.
• Garden Drainage: What to Ask First. Garden drainage is about where rainwater goes. A soakaway has planning and building-regulations rules. This page says what to ask, with no dig method.

Sources

1. QZ1: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila home and FAQ copy.
2. QZ2: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila FAQ How does getting quotes work.
3. S1: Can I replace my grass lawn with artificial grass?, Planning Portal (Interactive House). Accessed 2026-11-02. https://interactive.planningportal.co.uk/faqs/can-i-replace-my-grass-lawn-with-artificial-grass
4. S2: Waste duty of care: code of practice, GOV.UK (Defra). Accessed 2026-11-02. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-duty-of-care-code-of-practice/waste-duty-of-care-code-of-practice
5. S3: Before you get building work done, Citizens Advice. Accessed 2026-11-02. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/before-you-get-building-work-done/