Category: Newsletter

GraniteCrete’s Specification Guide has long acted as a “catch-all” document.  It addressed every application of GraniteCrete, and every installation variable.  It became difficult to navigate as we added – and expanded on – information.

To simplify it, we took that singular guide and transformed it into three separate ones.  Each guide contains only the pertinent information for the intended application of GraniteCrete:

• Residential, Non-Vehicular Specification Guide
• Commercial, Non-Vehicular Specification Guide
• EVA & Vehicular Specification Guide

Now, it’s easier than ever to find and use the guide to best serve your project!

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 2022:

• We experienced record sales, up nearly 80% from 2022.  We could not have accomplished this without the hard work and support of our retail partners.
• We added five pre-mix facilities to our retail network.  Customers and retailers have mutually benefitted from this decision.
• In the fall, we held several GraniteCrete Demo Days at our retail locations across California.  These involved an on-site, live GraniteCrete installation. We thank our retailers for partnering with us on these, providing the space, and promoting the event.
• We brought on Brian Milligan as our dedicated Quality Assurance person – a position that has been a long time coming!
• We attended the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Conference on Landscape Architecture for the first time! We enjoyed meeting everyone who stopped by our booth, and learning about the current landscape architecture environment.
• Work began on the largest GraniteCrete installation to date!  This installation is part of the Foster City Levee Improvements Project.  We are thrilled to have been included in this project by BFS Landscape Architects, and we commend Chago Rarmirez of Graniterock Construction’s  Watsonville location for brokering this deal.

We cannot wait to see what exciting new developments GraniteCrete will experience – or be part of – in 2023!

Each year on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day.  We have the opportunity to evaluate the impact our everyday choices have on the planet, and to look at where we can improve to better protect it for generations to follow.

At GraniteCrete, we are proud to supply a product that benefits the environment in several ways.  However, our commitment to sustainability and environmentally-friendly choices doesn’t end there.

The entire GraniteCrete team participates in composting of all qualifying food waste, as well as recycling of all approved items.

Other steps some of our team members take involve:

• Using all LED lightbulbs
• Making an effort to not buy any single-use items
• Purchasing as many items as possible in glass containers – which are then reused for pickling, food storage, et cetera – or, buying items in compostable packaging
• Using plant-based cleaners and/or biodegradable soaps
• Driving hybrid vehicles
• Deriving 100% of their home’s electricity from roof solar panels
• Opting to replace their lawn with native plants, permeable hardscape, and drip irrigation systems

“Renovation” does not even begin to do justice to the incredible transformation that Christie Park in Emeryville, CA has undergone since plans to expand the park—and overhaul its design—were first introduced in 2014.

A Lackluster Beginning
Previously, the park featured an under-utilized “amphitheater” design that lacked imagination and warmth.  As a result, the number of visitors to the park was dismal and it failed to fulfill a city policy geared toward cultivating family-friendly spaces throughout Emeryville.  So, the Emeryville Planning Commission decided something needed to be done.

The Planning Commission introduced plans to increase the park size by a half acre, develop an innovative playground with innovative structures that step away from traditional “cookie cutter” structures, and foster a sense of community throughout the “Christie Core” area of the city.

A Dream Realized
Christie Park has truly evolved from a “park” in name only into a unique and beautiful gathering place for families, dog owners, athletes – and more!

Located behind Emeryville’s Public Market, the park now has a hip, progressive vibe.  It features an ocean-themed playground, lush green lawns perfect for picnicking, and a fenced-in dog park paved with a custom blend of two of GraniteCrete’s standard colors, supplied by Napa Valley Materials: 60% Natural and 40% Ash Grey.  As an environmentally-friendly paving material, GraniteCrete fits in perfectly with the overall look and feel of the renovated park.

A Doggone Good Dog Park
Designed by Hart Howerton, the minimalist-design dog park includes circle benches surrounding beautiful trees and a handful of decorative rocks sprinkled here-and-there, leaving plenty of room for playful pups to explore and meet new friends.  And, since GraniteCrete exceeds ADA compliance requirements, dog owners of all physical capabilities will be able to bring their faithful companions to enjoy the dog park.

GraniteCrete is proud to be a part of the Christie Park redesign and renovation that has enriched the city of Emeryville.

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.

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!