Do You Need a Weed Barrier Under Faux Grass? Woven vs Non-Woven and the 5 Best (2026)
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Installers disagree on weed barriers, but over bare soil most use one, and the reason is the drainage holes in the turf.
A weed barrier is a geotextile fabric laid under the base or the turf. It blocks weeds growing up from the soil, and it keeps the stone base from mixing into the dirt below. Turf has drainage holes, and UK retailer ExpressGrass points out that weeds can grow up through them if nothing stops them. That's the main argument for a barrier. The main argument against is that a deep, compacted base already does much of the same job.
So this guide covers both sides, the two fabric types, where the barrier goes and five good fabrics. We read guidance from turf maker CCGrass, ExpressGrass and Sempergreen, and compared seller-listed specs on Amazon. Some turf makers specify no membrane, so check your turf's install guide first.
When should you use a weed barrier?
Use a barrier over soil with weeds; skip it only when the turf maker says to.
Reasons to use one
- You're installing over natural soil. CCGrass recommends a barrier over soil, where weeds and roots are waiting below.
- Weeds are a known problem. Sempergreen suggests a barrier mainly where weed pressure is high, such as an old, weedy lawn.
- It keeps the base clean. CCGrass notes that a barrier keeps the base stone separate from the soil, so the base stays firm and drains well.
- It blocks weeds through drain holes. ExpressGrass says weeds can grow up through the turf's drainage holes without one.
Reasons to skip one
- Your turf maker doesn't require it. A reply on Bunnings' community forum notes that a barrier isn't generally required, and some install guides leave it out.
- Pet areas, sometimes. CCGrass says some installers skip it in pet areas, so urine drains straight into the soil.
- A deep, compacted base. A thick base already makes it hard for weeds to come up.
Is a weed barrier necessary under artificial grass? Not always, but over weedy soil it's cheap insurance. If in doubt, use one.
Why do weeds grow through turf? Two ways. From below, through drainage holes, which a barrier stops. And from above, when seeds land in the infill and sprout. A barrier can't stop those, so pull them while they're small.
Woven or non-woven fabric?
Non-woven suits most backyards; woven suits heavy traffic.
| Non-woven geotextile | Woven geotextile | |
|---|---|---|
| How it's made | Fibres bonded together, often thermally bonded polypropylene | Strips woven in a criss-cross |
| Feel | Soft, felt-like | Stiff, like a tarp |
| Drainage | Drains well across its surface | Drains through the weave |
| Strength | Good for homes | Higher strength for heavy loads |
| Best for | Most backyards, separating base from soil | Driveways, heavy traffic, firm separation |
| Weight | Often 3 to 8 oz per sq yd | Often 2 to 5 oz per sq yd for landscape grades |
A UK specification listing describes thermally bonded non-woven polypropylene as a standard weed membrane. Weight, in ounces per square yard or grams per square metre, is a rough guide to strength.
Which geotextile is best under artificial grass? For most backyards, a non-woven fabric around 4 oz. For driveways or heavy use, a woven fabric.
Where does the weed barrier go?
Most installs put it on the soil, under the base.
┌──────────────────────────────┐ │ Turf and infill │ ├──────────────────────────────┤ │ (Optional second barrier) │ ← some installers add one here ├──────────────────────────────┤ │ Compacted stone base │ ├──────────────────────────────┤ │ Weed barrier (most common) │ ← on the soil, under the base ├──────────────────────────────┤ │ Native soil │ └──────────────────────────────┘
On the soil is the most common position. There, it separates the base from the dirt and blocks weeds from below. Some installers also lay a second, thin barrier on top of the compacted base, just under the turf.
Here's how to lay it:
- Dig and level the soil. Remove weeds, roots and stones first.
- Roll out the fabric. Lay it flat over the soil.
- Overlap the seams. Overlap edges by about 6 in, so weeds can't push through the join.
- Pin it down. Use landscape pins along seams and edges.
- Spread the base on top. Tip and spread the stone carefully so you don't tear the fabric. See our base guide.
Does the weed barrier go above or below the base? Usually below, on the soil. A second layer on top of the base is optional. For the full process, see our installation guide.
The 5 best weed barriers for faux grass
One fabric for each job.
1. Super Geotextile Non-Woven Fabric, 4 oz — Best Non-Woven Barrier
Type: non-woven geotextile | Weights: 4, 6 or 8 oz | Uses: landscaping, French drains, underlayment (seller)
For most backyards, a non-woven geotextile is the right fabric under the base.
Super Geotextile's fabric is a true non-woven geotextile, sold in 4, 6 and 8 oz weights. The 4 oz grade suits most residential lawns, and the heavier grades suit clay or high-traffic areas. The seller lists it for landscaping, French drains and underlayment, so it also works if you're adding a drain to a wet yard. Buyer feedback is consistently positive.
That makes it our pick for most turf installs over soil.
But non-woven fabric tears more easily than woven when you tip stone onto it. Spread the base gently.
Our take: from our hands-on work laying artificial grass, a soft non-woven layer under the base is what keeps the surface flat over time; when the stone sinks into the soil, the turf above starts to dip and ripple.
2. VEVOR 5 oz Woven Geotextile, 3 × 250 ft — Best Heavy-Duty Woven Barrier
Type: woven geotextile | Weight: 5 oz | Size: 3 × 250 ft
Heavy traffic and gravel need something stronger than felt. Woven fabric is that.
VEVOR's 5 oz woven fabric is one of the heavier landscape grades on Amazon. VEVOR lists it for use under gravel, with high permeability. That makes it suit side paths, play areas and spots where people walk constantly over turf. At 250 ft, one roll covers a lot of ground in 3 ft strips.
But a 3 ft width means many overlapping seams on a wide lawn. For a full yard, a wider roll like #4 saves time.
Our take: in our experience, the base under turf is where heavy foot traffic shows first, so a stiffer woven fabric is worth it on paths and play areas that get walked all day.
3. LAVEVE Heavy Duty Weed Barrier, 4 × 100 ft — Best All-Round Weed Barrier
Type: woven polypropylene | Size: 4 × 100 ft | Extras: green guide lines, UV resistant (seller)
Guide lines printed on the fabric make it easier to lay straight and cut square.
LAVEVE's barrier is woven polypropylene with green guide lines along the roll. That helps you line up overlaps and cut straight edges. LAVEVE says it's high-density and permeable, so air and water pass through while weeds are blocked, and that it resists UV. At 4 ft wide and 100 ft long, it suits small and medium lawns.
But it's sold mainly as a garden weed barrier, not a turf geotextile. It works well under a base, but for heavy traffic, step up to #2.
Our take: printed guide lines sound minor, but from laying a lot of turf ourselves, straight overlaps and square cuts at the fabric stage make the final surface noticeably easier to get flat.
4. Happybuy 6 × 300 ft Woven Barrier — Best Large Roll for Big Yards
Type: woven | Weight: 2.4 oz | Size: 6 × 300 ft
On a big yard, width saves time. A 6 ft roll halves the seams of a 3 ft one.
Happybuy's roll is 6 ft wide and 300 ft long, enough for a large lawn with few seams. Fewer seams means fewer weak spots for weeds and less overlap fabric to buy. It's woven with high permeability, per the seller. It has the most buyer feedback of any fabric here.
But at 2.4 oz, it's lighter than #2. It's fine under a base on a normal lawn, but not for driveways.
Our take: in our experience, seams are where weeds and lumps show up first under artificial grass, so a wide roll that cuts the number of joins is the practical choice for a big yard.
5. EXTRAEASY 3 × 300 ft, 3.2 oz — Best for Narrow Strips and Paths
Type: woven | Weight: 3.2 oz | Size: 3 × 300 ft | Claims: tear resistant (seller)
Turf paths, side strips and dog runs are long and narrow. A long, narrow roll fits them without waste.
EXTRAEASY's roll is 3 ft wide and 300 ft long, so one roll covers long paths and runs with very little offcut. At 3.2 oz, it's heavier than #4, and the seller describes it as tear resistant.
But 3 ft rolls create lots of seams on a wide lawn. Keep it for long, narrow areas.
Our take: from fitting turf into narrow paths and runs, a long 3 ft roll means fewer awkward offcuts and fewer joins along the length, which keeps a strip looking clean.
Weed barrier questions
These are the weed questions owners ask most.
How do you stop weeds growing in artificial grass? Use a barrier under the base, and pull any weeds that sprout in the infill while they're small. Blow leaves and debris off often, because rotting debris gives seeds somewhere to grow. See our maintenance guide.
Can you use weed killer on turf? Spot treatments can work, but some herbicides can stain or damage fibres. Choose a product whose label allows use on or near artificial turf, keep it off the blades where you can, and rinse well. In pet areas, choose a pet-safe option and follow the label.
Ready to build the base? See our faux grass base guide.