In short: Excel Deco lays artificial grass across Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado at KSh 999 to 1,400 per sqm and football turf 50mm at KSh 2,799 per sqm, on soil, concrete, balconies and rooftops. Fitting is quoted after measuring and the showroom is at Summit House Room 9, Moi Avenue.

Where artificial grass works best

Artificial grass suits spaces where real grass struggles or where nobody has time to water and mow. In Nairobi we lay it in:

• Balconies in apartments in Kilimani, Westlands and Kileleshwa, where it softens bare concrete. See artificial grass for balconies.
• Gardens and backyards in Runda, Karen, Syokimau and Ruiru, especially shady corners where real grass dies. See artificial grass for gardens.
• Rooftops used as terraces or play spaces.
• School and daycare play areas where children need a soft clean surface.
• Restaurants, hotels and event spaces that want a green look all year.
• Five a side pitches, where we lay football turf instead of decorative grass.

It is not the answer for every space. If you want to grow plants in the area. If the ground floods every rainy season, real grass or paving may suit you better. Our guide on artificial grass vs real grass sets out the honest pros and cons.

Laying on concrete vs laying on soil

The surface underneath decides most of the work.

On concrete, such as a balcony, rooftop or old patio, the job is quick. We sweep and wash the surface, check that water runs off towards a drain and lay the grass on top. Where water sits in dips, we deal with them first, because standing water under grass smells after a while. Our guide on installing artificial grass on concrete shows the steps.

On soil, the base is everything. Grass laid straight on red soil sinks, lumps and grows weeds through the gaps within a season. A proper soil job means:

1. Clearing the old grass, roots and stones.
2. Levelling the ground and giving it a slight fall so rain drains away.
3. Laying and compacting a firm base layer.
4. Adding a weed barrier where weeds are a problem.
5. Laying the grass on the finished base.

Soil jobs take longer and the base work is part of the fitting quote. We assess it at the measuring visit and explain what your ground needs.

Worked examples with real prices

Here is the materials cost for typical Nairobi spaces. Fitting and base work are quoted after measuring.

For a pitch, football turf 50mm costs KSh 2,799 per sqm. Take a small five a side pitch of 20 by 15 metres. That is 300 sqm x KSh 2,799 = KSh 839,700 in turf. Pitches also need lines, a well drained base and often infill, which we plan with you on site. Read football turf cost in Kenya for the bigger picture.

You will need a little extra grass for trimming at the edges. We confirm the exact quantity after measuring.

Preparing your space before we arrive

Some of the preparation you can do yourself, which keeps the job short.

1. Clear the area of pots, furniture, toys and loose stones.
2. Tell us about drains. Show the fitter where water goes when it rains. Photos taken during a downpour help a lot.
3. Cut back plants and hedges along the edges so the grass can reach the borders.
4. Agree on soil work. If we are clearing old grass, let us know where soil and rubbish can be put or if it needs taking away.
5. Arrange access. Rolls of grass are heavy and long. In apartment blocks, ask the caretaker about the lift and stairs.
6. Check the forecast. Soil jobs go best in dry weather. We may move the date if heavy rain is coming.

How we lay artificial grass and the problems we prevent

1. Prepare the base on soil or clean the concrete, as agreed.
2. Roll out the grass and let it relax so creases from the roll settle.
3. Line up the pile. Grass blades lean one way. All pieces must face the same direction or the joins show as a change in colour.
4. Join the seams neatly so they disappear into the lawn.
5. Trim the edges against walls, paving and flower beds.
6. Fix the edges so they stay down in wind and foot traffic.
7. Brush the grass up so the blades stand and the lawn looks full.

A balcony is usually done in a morning. A garden on soil can take a day or more, mostly because of the base work. Pitches take several days.

• Puddles after rain. Water must drain through and away. We create a fall on soil and check drains on concrete.
• Visible seams. Usually caused by pieces laid with the pile facing different ways. We lay every piece in one direction.
• Edges lifting on rooftops. Wind gets under loose edges. We fix them firmly.
• Weeds coming through. A firm base and a weed barrier on soil stop most of them.
• Dogs. Pet areas need good drainage and regular rinsing. We plan the base with that in mind.
• Uneven lawns. Lumps show through grass. We level the ground before laying, not after.

Handover checks and care through the seasons

Before the fitter leaves, check that:

• The pile runs one way across the whole area.
• Seams are flat and hard to spot.
• Edges are fixed and do not lift when you tug them.
• The surface feels even underfoot with no lumps.
• Offcuts and soil have been cleared.

Care is simple. In the dry season, rinse the grass with a hose to wash away dust and cool it down. Brush it against the pile every few weeks so it stays upright. Rake out leaves after windy days, especially under jacaranda trees. In the rains, clear the drains so water keeps flowing. Keep barbecues and cigarettes away, since heat can melt the blades.

Balconies and rooftops: what to know

Raised spaces bring their own questions. Our fitters check each one at the visit.

• Drainage outlets. Balcony drains must stay clear. We cut the grass around them so water still runs away and you can reach the outlet to clean it.
• Waterproofing. We never drill into a roof membrane. Grass on a rooftop is fixed in ways that leave the waterproofing intact.
• Weight and access. Rolls are heavy. We plan how to carry them up stairs or in a lift without damaging walls.
• Wind. Higher floors catch more wind, so edges and seams are fixed with extra care.
• Sun. Rooftop grass gets hot in the afternoon. A quick rinse cools it before children play.

If your balcony is shared with a neighbour or managed by the building, check the rules before booking. Some blocks ask for approval before anything is fixed outside a unit.

Many landlords like grass on rooftop terraces because it makes a dull slab feel like a garden. It also suits small apartment balconies where there is no soil at all.

Why measure before you buy grass

Many people buy a roll, take it home and find it is short by half a metre. Grass comes in fixed roll widths. A space that is a little wider than one roll needs a second strip. How you cut it changes the offcut.

At a measuring visit our fitter measures the space, checks the base and drainage and works out the most sensible layout. You then get a quote on WhatsApp with the grass, any base work and the fitting set out clearly. You can also visit our showroom at Summit House Room 9, Moi Avenue to feel the different grass types before you decide.

We measure, supply and lay across Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado and deliver same or next day in Nairobi.

Questions buyers ask

How much does artificial grass installation cost in Nairobi?

Fitting is quoted after measuring because it depends on the base. The grass costs KSh 999 to 1,400 per sqm and football turf 50mm costs KSh 2,799 per sqm.

Can artificial grass be laid on concrete?

Yes. We clean the concrete, check that water drains away and lay the grass on top.

Can you lay artificial grass on soil?

Yes, but the soil must be cleared, levelled and compacted first. Base work is included in the fitting quote.

Does artificial grass drain in the rains?

Yes, when it is laid on a base with a slight fall and clear drains. We check drainage at the measuring visit.

How long does it take to lay artificial grass?

A balcony is usually done in a morning. A garden on soil can take a day or more because of the base work.

How do I clean artificial grass?

Rinse it with a hose to remove dust, rake out leaves and brush it against the pile every few weeks.

Read and shop next

Artificial grass for gardensFootball turf KenyaBook a measuring visit