Happy Holidays from GraniteCrete!

Posted on December 22, 2021December 22, 2021 by Libby Hanson

As the year winds down and we turn our sights toward the one to come, we’d like to express our gratitude to the architects, installers, retailers, and customers who chose to include us in their projects this past year. We appreciate your support, and look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. Before we gear up for the new year, we’d like to take a moment to share a few highlights from 2021:

We experienced record sales, up 50% from 2020.
We doubled our retailer network by adding locations in Sacramento (Florin Perkins Landscape Materials,) three retailers with multiple locations in Southern California – all dry, pre-mix facilities! – (KRC Rock, Prime Building Materials, and Tri-State Materials,) and one in South Carolina (Coastal Carolina Hardscapes). We also expanded our presence within existing retailers; GraniteCrete is also now sold in all Graniterock and Peninsula Building Materials locations!
Our Senior Account Manager, Dave Ventura, joined the board of the CLCA Central Coast chapter.
We have made significant progress on our website rebuild. We now have more streamlined, searchable maps for our retail locations and recommended installers.
A partnership with Noah Concrete has allowed installers access to volumetric trucks to make larger installations of GraniteCrete easier and faster.

The installation at Paradise Valley Estates, in-progress.

GraniteCrete has also been fortunate to be a part of many exciting projects that put sustainability, durability and permeability first. Here, we recognize this year’s outstanding commercial and residential installations:

Paradise Valley Estates: The pathways at this luxury retirement community in Fairview were beautifully designed by RHAA Landscape Architects and artfully installed by Brightview.

RHAA often specs GraniteCrete, stating:

“It is a good option when clients are looking for stabilized paving products with a natural look, durability, and the potential to be permeable.”

Newcastle: Amador Landscape & Design gave this residence new life by designing a landscape that flawlessly incorporates GraniteCrete into the walkway entrance, the driveway, and a pathway circling the house. The homeowner is thrilled with the final result.

“[The GraniteCrete] has totally transformed our property. It performed perfectly through our 100-year rain storm; I think we measured 11 inches during the storm and no water problems – which we have had in the past – because the GraniteCrete is so porous.”
-Laura Udall, homeowner

The installation in Newcastle in-progress.

Retailers Spotlight

This year we are excited to recognize Graniterock as our top retailer for the second year in a row. The Graniterock Redwood City facility took top honors for a single location, almost double its closest competitor.

We are also thrilled to highlight two sales reps from our retailer network: Michael Doucette for the second year in a row was the top sales rep in revenue and volume. A special thank you to Michael for bringing us in on almost all of his sales involving GraniteCrete. This was a great choice – his closure rate was almost 100% for the year! Thank you Graniterock and Michael for a fantastic year!

A big shout-out to Howard Lasker at SBI Building Materials. Howard was runner-up in sales, and does a great job of promoting GraniteCrete. Most of Howard’s sales come from residential installs – while these are usually smaller installations, his tireless effort brings in a lot of projects. When needed, he brings us in to help close the deal. Plus, we love that he constantly gives us input on how we can improve our solution. Thank you SBI Materials and Howard for a great year!

We look forward to working with all of you next year.

Howard Lasker on the left and Michael Doucette on the right with their respective four-legged companions.

Managing Stormwater

Posted on November 29, 2021November 29, 2021 by Libby Hanson

All too often, rainy weather generates more water than a landscape can handle. If this water is not managed properly, it leads to several issues. These can be minor annoyances such as puddles, or more serious issues such as:

Reduced groundwater recharge
High rates of runoff and erosion
An increased likelihood of natural disasters (e.g. flooding or mudslides)

These issues are compounded by the use of non-porous paving materials, such as concrete and asphalt. To compensate for the lack of permeability, additional landscaping element⁠s⁠—such as bioswales⁠—are sometimes incorporated into a landscape design.

An example of a bioswale in a traditional landscape. — Examples of biowswales.

What’s a Bioswale?

A bioswale is a landscaping feature used to manage stormwater runoff by slowing, collecting, filtering, and infiltrating stormwater. They are often seen alongside large parking lots, business parks, and industrial areas. Similar to a storm gutter in function, a bioswale normally involves the use of vegetation to reduce the speed of the runoff for maximum effectiveness.

At first glance, a bioswale seems like an ideal way to manage stormwater. However, it’s simply a Band-Aid that has its own host of issues.

As an additional element added to a design, bioswales drive up a landscape’s installation costs. Bioswales also require regular maintenance. If a bioswale is not properly taken care of, there’s a risk that water will not properly drain; a lack of drainage can allow pollutants water to pool on the surface long enough to allow pesky insects to breed. A bioswale must be inspected on a regular basis to ensure adequate vegetation is maintained, there are no blockages, and that any sediment that has built up is adequately removed.

The Bottom Line

There’s a better solution for stormwater management: permeable pavement. Permeable pavement allows rainwater to percolate directly into the ground – reducing runoff and all of its associated issues and eliminating the need for a bioswale or similar landscaping elements. Permeable pavement is also accompanied by environmental and financial benefits.

Environmental benefits include:

Reduces stormwater runoff rate and volume
Reduces water pollution by trapping pollutants in the pavement
Replenishes groundwater, which can, in turn, be used by plants surrounding the pavement

Financial benefits include:

Reduces the need for conventional drainage features, such as curbs and gutters
Lower installation costs, since underground piping and storm drains are not needed
Reduced water-usage costs, since surrounding plants can benefit from the replenished groundwater

There are many different permeable paving options available, and choosing the right one may require a little more research than choosing a traditional paving option, but it’s well worth it. We explore the different options more in-depth here.

GraniteCrete – Your Stormwater Management Solution

GraniteCrete is a specialized permeable paving product; use of GraniteCrete eliminates the need for additional landscaping elements like a bioswale. Mixed with decomposed granite, it has a solid and durable surface with the near-strength of concrete. It contains no polymers, oils, or resins; so, no toxic materials will leach into the ground as water passes through. GraniteCrete will stand up to both foot traffic and light vehicular traffic, making it appropriate for patios, driveways, sidewalks – and more!

GraniteCrete & Wineries: A Perfect Pairing

Posted on October 25, 2021October 25, 2021 by Libby Hanson

For wineries all across California, August through October is a magical time of year known as “grape-crushing season.” After the best grapes have been harvested—the ones that have ripened properly, and are free of rot or damage—winemakers get busy crushing them. While crushing grapes by foot may have been the way to go in the past (or was that just a storyline in “I Love Lucy”?) nowadays most wineries use large, automated machinery to streamline the process before transferring the resulting juices into a vat for fermentation.

In honor of grape-crushing season and the astounding volume of wine created—California’s winemakers are responsible for 81% of the United States’ wine production!—we want to take a moment to showcase some of the wineries across the state with installations of GraniteCrete, and to congratulate them on their commitment to sustainability.

Capo Creek – Healdsburg, CA

“We are very pleased with GraniteCrete. The installation was clean and easy, and the finished look is so natural. The product is environmentally sound, is ADA compatible, and the color choices are spot on. I would enthusiastically recommend this product to anyone looking for an alternative hardscape choice!”

– Dr. Mary Roy, Owner – Capo Creek Ranch and Winery

Clos du Val – Napa, CA

At Clos du Val, outdoor umbrellas are provided to keep patrons cool during sunny weather. These umbrellas are attached to rolling bases with very small wheels, which they quickly realized were difficult to roll across the decomposed granite originally installed at the winery. Despite having a stabilizer mixed in, the decomposed granite simply wasn’t sturdy enough. To correct this issue, a switch to GraniteCrete was suggested. The GraniteCrete has proven to be a much harder surface that is “working perfectly.”

Darioush – Napa, CA

Darioush winery features a beautiful GraniteCrete pathway that complements the abundant greenery and surrounding architecture. Outdoor lighting has been set into the path along the edges to help patrons find their way – easy to do with GraniteCrete!

Rodney Strong Vineyards – Healdsburg, CA

The outdoor area at Rodney Strong Vineyards is the perfect place for visitors to relax and enjoy a glass of wine – whether that be on “Wine Wednesday,” or another day of the week. Made from GraniteCrete, the patio does not absorb heat, keeping it nice and cool even during the hot summer months.

Cleaning Up the World One Action at a Time

Posted on September 21, 2021October 7, 2021 by Libby Hanson

Monthly Newsletter

Newsletter for September

Cleaning Up the World One Action at a Time

Held in September, Clean Up the World (CUW) weekend is one of the world’s largest community-based environmental events in the world. CUW is part of Clean Up Australia’s commitment to “inspire and empower communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment.“ It’s estimated that 35 million people across the globe take part in this weekend, carrying out activities to address local environmental issues.

One of the most-common activities are local “clean-ups” where volunteers gather and remove litter from public places. However, activities can be on a much larger & long-term scale, such as planting trees, urban recycling projects, and raising awareness about environmental issues.

Believing that truly cleaning up the world will take far longer than a weekend, Clean Up Australia aims to provide “practical solutions to help [people] live more sustainably every day of the year.” Some of these practical solutions can easily be implemented into people’s everyday lives and include:

Switching from disposable water bottles to a reusable one

Composting food waste that would otherwise be thrown away

Opting for online bill pay over paper bill pay

Choosing cold water cycles when doing laundry

Using public transportation instead of driving to get to work

Other solutions require a little more time and effort, and include:

Installing solar panels at a home, business, or government building for a source of renewable energy

Collecting rainwater in a barrel, to be used for outdoor water needs

Planting a vegetable garden

Installing a programmable thermostat

Using building and paving materials that are more environmentally-friendly than traditional materials

GraniteCrete is proud to fit the bill as a long-term solution for “cleaning up the world.” As an environmentally-friendly paving material; GraniteCrete is permeable, helps reduce the Urban Heat Island effect, and can contribute LEED credits as a stand-alone product.

Reducing Global Temperatures Through Sustainability

Posted on August 24, 2021October 7, 2021 by Libby Hanson

Monthly Newsletter

Newsletter for August

Reducing Global Temperatures Through Sustainability

As Earth continues to regularly experience record-breaking temperatures, the importance of taking steps to reduce global temperatures is at the forefront of many people’s minds. Sustainable building practices are one way the rise in global temperatures can be combated, and the risk of harmful man-made situations—such as urban heat islands—can be reduced.

What is an Urban Heat Island?

An urban heat island occurs in cities when the natural landscape is replaced by pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat. As a result, the materials create a hotter environment than rural areas. Temperatures can range from one to three degrees hotter during the day, and from three to seven degrees hotter at night! This “heat island effect” leads to increased energy costs, air pollution levels, and heat-related illnesses.

These temperatures are influenced by the materials used, as each has an associated Solar Reflectance Index value.

What is a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) Value?

A material’s SRI value is a way to measure its ability to stay cool by reflecting⁠—rather than absorbing—solar heat. It’s measured on a scale from 0 to 100; a standard black surface has a SRI of 0 and a standard white surface has a SRI of 100. The higher a material’s SRI, the lower its contribution to the heat island effect.

What Are Other Ways to Reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect?

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a few strategies for reducing the urban heat island effect. One strategy is using paving materials that tend to remain cooler than conventional pavements, such as permeable ones. Permeable paving materials are generally lighter in color, are able to absorb and filter water, and have open pores—all features that contribute toward a cooler paving material. Permeable paving materials are also an excellent solution because they are not a one-trick pony. They can also lower tire noise, provide better traction, and aid stormwater management.

There are a handful of permeable paving options available, including our personal favorite: GraniteCrete. GraniteCrete has long been a champion for the environment, and we are proud to offer a product that puts it—and sustainability—first.

GraniteCrete pathway at Golden Gate Dog Training Park

A Perfect Pathway in Five Easy Steps

Posted on June 16, 2021October 7, 2021 by Libby Hanson

Monthly Newsletter

Newsletter for June

Reducing Global Temperatures Through Sustainability

When creating a landscape design that includes pathways to help pedestrians move from point A to point B, five key questions need to be answered:
Is it functional?
Is it accessible?
Is it durable?
Does it address environmental concerns?
Is it aesthetically pleasing?

Examples of pathways paved with GraniteCrete.

Accessibility

The pathway should be accessible to people who use assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, et cetera. The paving material should be stable enough to support these devices without the worry of becoming mired in loose or displaced gravel, and must provide enough traction to prevent slippage.

Functionality

Both the level of traffic and the type of traffic affect the paving material and the path width chosen. A pathway should allow people—and potentially vehicles—to easily traverse the landscape. To achieve this, a couple of things need to be taken into account:

Is the pathway going to be in the backyard of a private residence that will see low foot traffic, or is it going to be in a business park where it will see high foot traffic? The paving material chosen should be able to accommodate the expected level of traffic.

Depending on the expected type of traffic, the width of the pathway should accommodate it. The width of the path in a backyard may not need to be as wide as one in a business park, where it might be necessary to account for pedestrians walking side-by-side, in opposite directions, or even use by vehicles.

Durability

The paving material used for a pathway should be long-lasting and able to withstand the expected level of traffic, with minimal repairs and/or maintenance. Issues that might arise due to a material with low durability being used include:

An uneven surface due to material wearing away (which could affect both the path’s functionality and accessibility)

Higher maintenance costs due to frequent repairs

A pathway that is aesthetically unappealing.

Environmental Concerns

When designing a pathway, a paving material that will address environmental concerns is becoming increasingly important. Two key environmental issues that should be addressed are permeability and the pathway’s Solar Reflectance Index (SRI).Permeability

A pathway that is not permeable contributes to puddling on the surface of the path, increased runoff and potential erosion, and reduced groundwater recharge. A pathway that is permeable combats all of these issues and provides a more environmentally-responsible choice.

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)

A pathway paved with a material that has a higher SRI will retain less heat than a material with a lower SRI. This means the surface of the pathway⁠—and the area’s surrounding temperature⁠—will remain cooler, reducing its heat island effect. This lower surface temperature spells good news for people walking the pathway, as well as for the feet of any four-legged companions who don’t normally wear protective footwear.

Aesthetics

Beyond functionality and environmental friendliness, the paving material should be visually pleasing, enhancing the look and feel of the landscape. Color, texture, and shape combine to create the overall aesthetics of the path. Earth-tone colors, natural textures, and curves that match the landscape will lead to a more natural-looking path. The overall flow of the pathway should also feel natural.

Finding a paving material that meets all of these criteria can be difficult. That’s why we developed GraniteCrete – to meet all of these criteria and more. GraniteCrete is a beautiful and natural material fit for all lengths and widths of pathways; it has a low SRI, is durable and stable, and exceeds ADA accessibility requirements. Learn more about why GraniteCrete is the ideal choice here.

GraniteCrete: A Wheel Good Choice for Driveways

Posted on April 15, 2021July 21, 2021 by Libby Hanson

As homeowners make green choices with increasing frequency—incorporating native plants into the landscape, opting for solar power, and switching to low-flow appliances—many are turning their sights toward the pavement surrounding their homes.

GraniteCrete driveway at a private residence in Pasadera, CA.

For the areas that see vehicle traffic, homeowners have some important factors to consider:

Is the material durable enough to bear the weight and movement of a vehicle?
Is the finished product going to be attractive and complement the home and surrounding landscape?
Will it be susceptible to annoyances common with traditional paving options, such as surface puddling or weeds poking through?

Finding a solution that fits all these criteria can be challenging. Fortunately, one doesn’t need to look further than GraniteCrete paving material.

Durability
GraniteCrete is an average of 3.5 – 4.5 times stronger in compression than what is required to withstand the surface pressure exerted by a heavy vehicle, such as a fire truck. Outside of laboratory testing, GraniteCrete’s durability has been put to the test at UC Santa Cruz: A crane with ballast weighing 95,000 pounds traveled down a GraniteCrete pathway to its staging area. Two wheels were on the surrounding dirt and two wheels were on the GraniteCrete, for a total of 47,500 moving pounds on the GraniteCrete at one time. Despite this heavy load, the GraniteCrete bore the weight without failing!

Aesthetics
GraniteCrete is available in five standard earth-tone colors, as well as custom colors, allowing it to blend in with nearly any surrounding landscape. This also allows it to easily complement other landscaping elements, such as stone and wood – as shown by the excellent work of Dave Washer.

Common Annoyances
Since GraniteCrete is porous, water won’t stay on the surface – meaning homeowners can say “goodbye” to having to choose between dodging puddles or getting their shoes wet after rainfall. Despite its permeability, GraniteCrete deters weed growth as a naturally weed- (and gopher!) resistant product. Although it’s common to see greenery poking through pavement, that won’t happen with GraniteCrete.

Other Benefits
While a GraniteCrete driveway is a winning solution for the homeowner, it also benefits the surrounding community. Due to its high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) value, it helps combat the Urban Heat Island Effect; this can lead to reduced energy costs, air pollution levels, and heat-related illnesses – now that’s cool!

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Author: Libby Hanson

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