Winter Installation Worries? The Truth About Ripples, Creases, and Joints ❄️

Gareth Twohey
Feb 16
2 min read

At Artificial Grass Yorkshire, we install lawns all year round. In fact, winter is one of the smartest times to get your garden sorted so it’s ready for the first barbecue of spring.

However, we often get asked the same question by customers who have had a lawn installed in colder months:

"My new grass has ripples and creases in it. The installer says they will fall out when the weather gets warmer. Is this true?"

The short answer is: Yes, usually.

Here is our expert guide on why this happens, what to look out for, and our promise to you.

1. The "Winter Ripple" (Don't Panic!) 😌

If your newly installed lawn looks a little wavy or has creases running through the main body of the grass, don't worry.

Artificial grass is stored on heavy rolls. In the summer, the backing is pliable and relaxes quickly. In the winter, the cold temperatures cause the latex or polyurethane backing to stiffen, holding the shape of the roll.

Why it fixes itself: As the temperatures rise in spring and the direct sun hits the lawn, the backing warms up and softens. Combined with the weight of the sand infill and gravity, the grass will naturally relax, and those creases will drop out, leaving you with a flat, pristine lawn.

2. The Warning on "Joints" ⚠️

This is where you need to be careful. While general ripples will settle, visible joints often will not.

What MIGHT improve with heat:

Slight Peaking: If the joint feels like a tiny ridge that pushes down easily when you walk on it, this is likely just the stiff backing pushing against itself. The summer heat will help this relax and lie flat.

What WILL NOT improve (The Red Flags): If you see any of the following, no amount of sunshine will fix them. These are installation errors:

Trapped Fibres: If grass blades are stuck down into the glue or tape, the joint will always look like a dark line.
Gaps: If you can see the backing or the ground between the two pieces, the gap is too wide.
Shade Differences: If one side looks lighter than the other, the pile direction might be wrong.

🛡️ Our Promise to You

If we ask you to wait until the temperature gets warmer, please don't feel that we are "fobbing you off." We aren't.

We know exactly how these materials behave in the British climate, and often, Mother Nature really is the best tool for the final finish. However, you can be 100% assured that if the summer arrives and the creases don't go, or the joint doesn't settle exactly as we predicted, we will come back and fix it.

We stand by every metre of grass we lay.