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Message
Best solution under turf
Posted on 8/20/25 at 6:58 pm
Posted on 8/20/25 at 6:58 pm
This might be a dumb question, but im not savy with this stuff and don't know the best solution. Hoping somebody here can offer decent advice.
I've built a shed 24 by 32. Half of it (12 by 32) will be used as an indoor batting cage. I decided to use crushed concrete (in hindsight probably a mistake, but that's where I am now). I tried laying the turf on top, but it's not hard enough and you can feel the bumps where there is rocks. So im looking for a solution.
My first thought was to get some type of rubber material, like horse mats, to lay over the concrete and then turf the top. That would run over $1000, and I dont really want to do that.
Second thought was to put a moisture barrier, and fasten some treated plywood on top and then turf on top of that. This is my cheapest option, but I dont know how long that plywood would last and im concerned about how solid it would be to walk on.
Third would be mixing concrete myself and putting a layer on top of the crushed concrete and smoothing it as best I can. It would be the most labor intensive and in-between my first two options in price. Im not sure how that would even hold up, so im hesitant on going that route.
Does anybody know a better option, or can give thoughts on my three mentioned choices?
I've built a shed 24 by 32. Half of it (12 by 32) will be used as an indoor batting cage. I decided to use crushed concrete (in hindsight probably a mistake, but that's where I am now). I tried laying the turf on top, but it's not hard enough and you can feel the bumps where there is rocks. So im looking for a solution.
My first thought was to get some type of rubber material, like horse mats, to lay over the concrete and then turf the top. That would run over $1000, and I dont really want to do that.
Second thought was to put a moisture barrier, and fasten some treated plywood on top and then turf on top of that. This is my cheapest option, but I dont know how long that plywood would last and im concerned about how solid it would be to walk on.
Third would be mixing concrete myself and putting a layer on top of the crushed concrete and smoothing it as best I can. It would be the most labor intensive and in-between my first two options in price. Im not sure how that would even hold up, so im hesitant on going that route.
Does anybody know a better option, or can give thoughts on my three mentioned choices?
This post was edited on 8/20/25 at 7:01 pm
6
Posted on 8/20/25 at 10:21 pm to Hold That Tiger 10
I have questions, but I’ll make assumptions in case I don’t see this thread again. I assume you are trying to install artificial turf under the batting cage only. If you pave it with concrete (correctly), that’s around 6 CY or 270 bags. That’s not practical and based on my assumptions of your project, neither is plywood.
I would first look up the turf mfgs recommendations for base material. If they don’t have any, I would install a layer of fine gravel over the crushed concrete, level and compact it, add an inch or less of sand to level it perfectly, then lay the artificial turf. You might need to build a perimeter form/mini retaining wall to keep the material in place - use lumber that is marine grade or build a concrete curb.
I would first look up the turf mfgs recommendations for base material. If they don’t have any, I would install a layer of fine gravel over the crushed concrete, level and compact it, add an inch or less of sand to level it perfectly, then lay the artificial turf. You might need to build a perimeter form/mini retaining wall to keep the material in place - use lumber that is marine grade or build a concrete curb.
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:59 am to T-Jon
quote:
assume you are trying to install artificial turf under the batting cage only
Correct
Posted on 8/21/25 at 8:31 am to Hold That Tiger 10
quote:
My first thought was to get some type of rubber material, like horse mats, to lay over the concrete and then turf the top. That would run over $1000, and I dont really want to do that.
That doesn’t sound right. I used horse mats from tractor supply in my gym. I think they were $50 for a 4x6 mat.
Posted on 8/21/25 at 8:38 am to Hold That Tiger 10
The post above nailed it. Fine aggregate packed down, probably wouldn't even need sand but it wouldn't hurt.
Posted on 8/21/25 at 8:43 am to Hold That Tiger 10
the shed has a concrete floor already or you installed crushed concrete on the sub base material (dirt)?
did the crushed concrete have fines in it? if not, add some fines and use a plate compactor. should be good to go. if you compact the base of crushed concrete and fines, it should be fairly smooth and you shouldn't be able to feel rocks.
did the crushed concrete have fines in it? if not, add some fines and use a plate compactor. should be good to go. if you compact the base of crushed concrete and fines, it should be fairly smooth and you shouldn't be able to feel rocks.
Posted on 8/21/25 at 9:21 am to Hold That Tiger 10
I'm not very informed either, but it seems to me that you wouldn't want artificial turf or an easily deformed base on the batter's box area... maybe 8'x8' max. I have seen but not used any of the gravel+polymer surfaces now available. One of them over your crushed concrete might hold up to the forces that batter's legs will put on it.
This post was edited on 8/21/25 at 9:23 am
Posted on 8/21/25 at 9:29 am to FieldEngineer
quote:
That doesn’t sound right. I used horse mats from tractor supply in my gym. I think they were $50 for a 4x6 mat
The ones I saw werent 4x6. At 4x6 I would need 15. At $50 that's 750. So not far off. If that's my best/only option, I could do that though I suppose.
Posted on 8/21/25 at 9:31 am to Randall Savauge
quote:
the shed has a concrete floor already or you installed crushed concrete on the sub base material (dirt)?
Crushed concrete over dirt. Well dirt, a tarp and then crushed concrete over it.
quote:
the crushed concrete have fines in it?
No clue. Honestly I had to look up what fines even were just now.
Posted on 8/21/25 at 11:24 am to Hold That Tiger 10
If it’s all big rocks that can move around, that’s not good. You need smaller and smaller pieces to fill in the voids and lock everything together. Lowes sells paver base by the bag that you could maybe use to spread over the top and compact. That would work but would be $.
If ordering in bulk, you're looking for someting called class II base or 610 limestone
If ordering in bulk, you're looking for someting called class II base or 610 limestone
Posted on 8/21/25 at 11:27 am to Hold That Tiger 10
just spread some fines over the crushed concrete and hit it with a compactor. you could use sand or even some bags of portland
Posted on 8/21/25 at 12:36 pm to cgrand
I went ahead and went with the horse mats. I think that should do the trick. I miscalculated how many I would need. Thanks for the advice nonetheless.
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:14 pm to Hold That Tiger 10
quote:
The ones I saw werent 4x6. At 4x6 I would need 15. At $50 that's 750. So not far off. If that's my best/only option, I could do that though I suppose.
I have these. They're awesome for gym flooring. You just install them smooth side up.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/4-ft-x-6-ft-x-3-4-in-thick-rubber-stall-mat-2219003
This post was edited on 8/21/25 at 3:15 pm
Posted on 8/21/25 at 3:47 pm to Randall Savauge
quote:this
If it’s all big rocks that can move around, that’s not good. You need smaller and smaller pieces to fill in the voids and lock everything together. Lowes sells paver base by the bag that you could maybe use to spread over the top and compact. That would work but would be $.
If ordering in bulk, you're looking for someting called class II base or 610 limestone
Posted on 8/21/25 at 5:05 pm to FieldEngineer
quote:
I have these. They're awesome for gym flooring. You just install them smooth side up
Thats exactly what I got, and did (smooth side up). It worked pretty damn well.
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