Garden area alone does not tell you how much artificial grass to order. You need the longest dimensions, the available roll width, the pile direction and a cutting plan. A 22 m² garden can require noticeably more than 22 m² of material if the shape forces an extra strip or produces unusable offcuts.
Start with a measured sketch
- Measure the garden at several points, not just along one fence.
- Draw the outline and mark every recess, curve and obstacle.
- Record the direction the finished pile should face.
- Mark likely joins before calculating cuts.
- Check access for carrying full-width rolls.
Use the longest measurement in each direction where boundaries are not parallel. Keep the sketch with the quotation so changes can be traced later.
Choose the pile direction first
Artificial grass has a visual direction. All pieces in one installation should normally run the same way, or the joined sections can look like different colours. The preferred viewing direction and roll direction therefore affect how the garden is divided.
Do not rotate an offcut by 90 degrees merely because it fits the gap. It may save material on paper and produce a visibly inconsistent finish.
Roll width controls the cutting plan
Stonegate's catalogue includes cut-to-size artificial grass ranges such as Crossfields 30mm, Etruria 40mm, Kingswood 30mm, Lola Premium 40mm and Astbury PU 35mm. Confirm the currently available width for the chosen range before quoting; do not assume every product is offered in the same widths.
If the lawn is wider than one roll, plan where the join will sit. A narrow sliver along a busy edge is rarely a good use of material. Shifting the main cut can create a more practical second piece and a cleaner seam.
Rectangular garden example
For a rectangular garden, compare its width with the available roll width. If one roll covers the width, the order length is based on the longest garden length plus a modest cutting allowance suitable for the site.
If a second strip is required, calculate both strips at the same pile direction. The offcut from the second strip may be usable elsewhere only if its dimensions and pile direction suit that area.
L-shaped and irregular gardens
Break the plan into rectangles, then place those rectangles onto the roll width like a cutting schedule. Curves are still cut from rectangles: the material outside the curve becomes waste unless it can be used in another correctly oriented section.
For a complicated garden, compare more than one layout. An extra join can reduce waste but adds joining tape, adhesive and labour. Fewer joins can justify more offcut where appearance and installation risk are more important than the last square metre.
How much wastage should you add?
A flat percentage is convenient but not precise. Wastage comes from:
- Out-of-square boundaries
- Curves and planting beds
- Roll-width constraints
- Pile direction
- Trimming at edges
- Offcuts too small or wrongly oriented to reuse
Build the waste from the cutting plan. A simple rectangle may need little extra; a narrow L-shaped lawn can need considerably more.
Remember the accessories
The grass is only one part of the installation. Depending on the build-up, the order may also need:
- Suitable sub-base and laying course materials
- Geotextile membrane where specified
- Edging or fixing points
- Joining tape and compatible adhesive
- Fixings appropriate to the perimeter detail
- Infill or finishing materials where the product system calls for them
Measure each join in linear metres. Count the whole perimeter, then separate edges that use different fixing details.
Use the calculator, then sense-check it
Stonegate's Artificial Grass Calculator helps turn dimensions into a material plan. Check the result against your sketch, roll direction and available product width before ordering.
Browse the artificial grass range only after the layout is understood. Pile height and product type affect selection, but they do not correct a poor cutting plan.
Trade ordering checklist
- Range and current roll width confirmed
- Longest site dimensions recorded
- Pile direction marked on every cut
- Joins positioned away from awkward narrow strips
- Curves and recesses allowed for
- Usable offcuts identified by size and orientation
- Joining materials measured
- Access and roll handling checked
Frequently asked questions
Do I order artificial grass by square metre?
It may be priced by area, but the order must fit the available roll width and cut lengths. A simple area calculation can underestimate material.
Can I join pieces facing different directions?
It should normally be avoided. Differing pile direction makes sections reflect light differently and can expose the join.
Should I always avoid joins?
No. A well-planned join can reduce severe waste. The decision balances appearance, material cost, access and installation labour.
