Last Updated on February 17, 2022 by ReTurf
There’s no way around it, turf installation is a huge undertaking. Knowing some basic methods for how to cut your artificial turf can make an already tough job go much more smoothly.
It sounds obvious, but it bears repeating—When you make a wrong cut, there’s no going back.
The less trial and error you have to go through when trying to install turf for the first time—the better. (Your wallet will thank you.)
Using tools that are suited for the job, and making correct cuts on the first attempt will help you keep wasted material to a minimum.
What Tools are Best for Cutting Artificial Turf?
Gloves
The very first thing you’ll need, no matter what cutting tool you choose, are some tough, high-quality, cut-resistant gloves. But even with gloves, you’ll still need to be extremely careful when cutting turf to avoid hand injuries.
Blades
You have some flexibility here. A utility blade, box cutter, carpet knife, or a large, heavy duty X-acto knife can all work fine for cutting artificial turf. Go with the toughest blade you can find—this isn’t a project where the cheapest “Made in China” tool will do. Investing in industrial strength steel or titanium will make cutting through the tough turf backing that much easier.
Shears/Snips
Large, heavy duty scissors, shears, or snips can work as well. Some snips have spring mechanisms that help open the blades and handles back up after each cut. That may not sound like much, but when you’re cutting through this much tough material, that spring action can greatly reduce your fatigue. Installing turf is a big job, and you’ll be thankful for any relief—no matter how small.
Specialized Tools
There are a variety of specialized turf cutting tools available that may give you better cuts with less effort. They come in many shapes and sizes, so it’s best to read reviews to see what is likely to work best for you. There are hand-held, battery-powered rotary cutters available, but just like other tools, they require some experience to use safely.
Cutting Through the Backing
If you do go with a knife of some sort, you’ll want to make sure that the exposed blade/sharp edge of your cutting tool is long enough to easily cut through the turf backing.
If the exposed blade is too short, you’ll end up “sawing” through it trying to force the blade through the backing, and your cuts will look jagged and messy.
Make sure your exposed blade is long enough, and that it doesn’t retract into the knife handle as you continue to use it.
Cutting Turf Along Edges of Objects
A sufficiently long blade will also be helpful for riding along edges of objects.
If you’re using a retractable tool, when you’re trimming your turf up to the edge of a patio, concrete, or other boundary, double check that the blade sticking out of the end of the knife is sufficiently long enough to cut the turf backing.
Using retractable utility knives to cut through tough materials like turf backing can push the blade back into the handle even if the blade is locked, especially if the knife itself isn’t high quality.
How to Cut a Straight Line with Artificial Turf
Cutting straight lines through turf is one of the trickiest things for a non-professional installer to accomplish. Here are some tips that may help:
- Make sure your blade isn’t too dull to cut through the turf easily.
- Using a sharp blade, try to safely cut through the backing without using excessive pressure.
- You may be able to use an appropriately-sized, heavy-duty, metal straight edge to improve the accuracy of your lines. One method that can work is to lightly drag a knife across the turf backing, using the metal straight edge as a guide. This can create a straight “track” for the blade to follow along when you actually start cutting.
- Making a chalk line for a visual guide is another option. Using a chalk line reel will be the best bet here.
