General Overview for Terram GrassProtecta Grass Reinforcement Mesh

GrassProtecta is a thick slip-resistant polyethylene plastic mesh grid that is designed to reinforce grassed areas to prevent wear and tear, rutting and smearing which can result in the surface being left in a muddy, ruined and unusable state. GrassProtecta is designed to increase traction and also improve slip resistance which it does by up to 97% compared to other similar products on the market thanks to its oscillated mesh structure. This protective mesh grid is ideal for withstanding the pressures of heavy pedestrian use or occasional car parking.

GrassProtecta is easy to install, simply needing to be unrolled and secured using metal U-pins. The product is available in 3 thicknesses; 10mm, 13mm, 14.5mm and allows grass to grow through the mesh grids and interlock itself to offer added strength in the sward.

Exisiting Grassed Area

1. Firstly, you must ensure your site is relatively flat, strong and free-draining enough to manage with the expected traffic you are reinforcing against. Fill any shallow dips or divots with a free-draining sandy soil then level it out to match the gradient of your existing grassed area. Seeds can be applied before or after installing the mesh depending on your preference. An alternative method to dealing with irregularities on the site is lifting the turf and filling the desired areas with sandy soil and levelling it off before then replacing the turf. 

Mesh Unrolled

2. Unrolling the mesh and pinning each corner loosely for at least 1 hour before permanently fixing is advised, as that process helps the mesh return to its natural flat state and ensures no irregularities are present when it is permanently fixed. The time frame for the relaxation period can vary depending on the temperature on your site at that particular

time. 

3. We recommend using our Fixing Pins (50 per bag) to secure your mesh rolls. To effectively pin a single 2m x 20m roll, 4 bags (200 pins) will be required. If securing 2 or more rolls, 3 bags (150 pins) per roll plus an additional bag on top of the overall roll quantity ordered will be necessary. Secured with Pins

4. The outer edges of mesh will need pins at maximum 300-350mm centres. The middle of the roll should feature 3 equally off-set rows in a chevron type pattern that are 500mm apart, which is the entire width of the roll. These should be a maximum of 750mm centres. If installing multiple rolls, the pins on the edge should overlap and fix 2 adjacent butted edges to offer additional security and ensure there are no overlapping ripples. To avoid being protruding hazards, the pins should be inserted parallel to the mesh and fully within the structure. Fitting pins across and above the top strand of the mesh should be avoided.

5. Once the mesh has been positioned on your correctly primed area, pick a corner to begin fixing the first edge of the mesh from, ensuring the mesh stays taut and level the whole time to avoid ripples. Return to the start point after this has been done and use one of the metal U-Pins (300-350mm centres) to fix that end of the roll. Ensure you work in the same direction at all points and keep the mesh taught to avoid ripples and irregularities.

6. Next insert 3 more pins down the centre of the roll in the same chevron type layout as before (3 rows at 500mm apart & at 750mm centres down the length), working gradually away from the corner you pinned first. Repeat this process until all pins are installed excluding the leading edge and roll end.

7. To complete the installation if installing 1 roll, fix the leading edge (length) and the final roll end (300-350mm centres).

8. To complete the installation of multiple rolls, position the next roll to be fixed ensuring that adjacent rolls are butt jointed and not overlapped. A single row of pins will help fix the neighboring roll edges and/ or ends. Repeat this method until all rolls have been fitted or secured. Weather and environment conditions on your site may influence the amount of pins needed. Additional pins may also be required if parts of the mesh are raised or bridged. If fitting in cold conditions, it may be prudent to install adjacent rolls 1cm apart to allow room for thermal expansion when temperatures rise.

9. Once all rolls are fitted and you are pleased with the results, a light dressing of sandy topsoil may be helpful to fill and balance out any unseen divots or hollows, this step is optional. Completely filling the mesh with soil is not recommended. If you desire quicker grass growth, a brushing of any seasonal fertiliser alongside suitable irrigation can boost grass growth rates through the mesh.

10.For optimal results, it is recommended to prohibit any trafficking on the mesh until grass has established effectively and grown sufficiently enough to have had several cuts, a process that takes approximately 6-8 weeks during the growing season. This is not essential, but if the meshed areas are to be used whilst the mesh is exposed, it is worth noting that they may be slippery in wet and icy conditions and people should be made aware of this through relevant signage.

Mesh After Installation

11. In order to allow the grass to interweave and grow through the mesh effectively, mowing blades should be set slightly higher for the first 3-4 cuts after installation. Following this, mowing can continue as normal.

12.If the mesh is installed in cold conditions, you may experience raised areas throughout the mesh once temperatures improve due to thermal expansions. Additional U-pins can be used to secure these areas and prevent them from becoming hazards.

Newly Sown Landscaped Areas

1. If the site area has been pre-seeded, grass establishment through the GrassProtecta mesh may take longer than usual. GrassProtecta can be installed directly onto newly installed turf.

2. Ensure the site is clear of debris, is flat, strong and free-draining enough to manage with the expected traffic you are reinforcing against.

3. Once the seedbed is sufficiently prepared, grass seed can be sown pre or post installation depending on personal preference. Installation and preparation on turfed areas can be carried out as normal.

4. Continue with points 2-12 above.

Design Notes

1. Site improvement must take place if the ground on your site is weak or susceptible to being waterlogged regularly prior to installment of GrassProtecta. If HGVs are occasionally using the area, a sub-base may be required.

2. If the meshed areas are to be used whilst the mesh is exposed, it is worth noting that they may be slippery in wet and icy conditions and people should be made aware of this through relevant signage.

3. If fitting in cold conditions, it may be prudent to install adjacent rolls 1cm apart to allow room for thermal expansion when temperatures rise. It is also recommended to pin each roll in multi-roll installations individually.

4. Advice on suitability for specific applications is available from Terram.

This guide is provided to assist in the specification and installation of Terram GrassProtecta on grass surfaces. The document is not a design manual and should not be used as a substitute for proper design, planning and specification.