Traditional, impermeable surfaces—such as concrete or asphalt—have played a huge role in the decline of watershed integrity in urban and urbanizing areas. These surfaces can affect water quality, affect streamflow, and even increase the likelihood of flooding by causing:
Higher discharges
More bank erosion
Increased sediment transportation
Increased pollutant loads to streams
Reduced groundwater recharge
Thankfully, alternative paving solutions exist that combat these issues. Permeable pavement has a high porosity that allows rainfall to pass through it to the ground below, and comes with both environmental and financial benefits.
GraniteCrete™ is dedicated to sustainability. Alleviating stormwater runoff through the use of permeable paving saves water, protects fragile ecosystems and combats erosion. If you are thinking of installing a new driveway, walkway or garden path, GraniteCrete is the permanent, permeable and natural solution.
Many cities and municipalities in California offer rebate programs for residential and commercial landscaping projects that alleviate stormwater runoff. If you are updating your landscaping to conserve water or reduce runoff, these rebate programs might help offset the cost of your project.
Because GraniteCrete can absorb up to an inch of rainwater an hour and it is virtually maintenance free, it is the perfect choice as a permeable paving material! Let us help you find the program in your area. We are happy to consult on the requirements and get you started!
The benefits of permeable pavement are undeniable. One study found that after one year’s use of four permeable pavement areas there was no measurable surface runoff from these areas. After returning to the site after an additional five years, all four permeable pavement systems showed no major signs of wear or clogging. Virtually all rainwater continued to infiltrate through every permeable pavement system, with little or no surface runoff.
Loose decomposed granite is the least-expensive option, as it’s simply loose granite with no binders or additives. While it has excellent drainage and the initial cost is low, loose decomposed granite can be costly to maintain. It easily washes away due to rainfall, or gets tracked away from the installation site (and into homes, which may damage hardwood flooring).
Loose decomposed granite is the least-expensive option, as it’s simply loose granite with no binders or additives. While it has excellent drainage and the initial cost is low, loose decomposed granite can be costly to maintain. It easily washes away due to rainfall, or gets tracked away from the installation site (and into homes, which may damage hardwood flooring).
Permeable concrete is a type of concrete that uses only large aggregates (no fine aggregates or sand, like conventional concrete). It has a high porosity, which allows three to eight gallons of water per minute to pass through one square foot. However, it does not have the same strength as conventional concrete due to the lack of fine aggregates and the high porosity.
Permeable asphalt is a type of asphalt that uses only large aggregates; the absence of fine aggregates creates “voids” in the pavement that allows water to flow through to the ground below. Sometimes polymer is added to the permeable asphalt to increase its strength, which increases the risk that environmentally harmful materials will also filter through into the groundwater.
Permeable pavers are similar to traditional pavers, but are somewhat thicker, and rest atop layers of crushed stone. They’re attractive and versatile, however, the pavers themselves are not permeable – only the spaces in between them.
GraniteCrete is an admixture that contains no polymers, oils, or resins; so, no unnatural materials will leach into the ground as water passes through. GraniteCrete is mixed with decomposed granite to create the finished product. It has the look and feel of a crushed organic surface, providing a permeable pathway that is solid and durable with the near-strength of concrete. GraniteCrete will stand up to both foot traffic and light vehicular traffic, making it appropriate for pathways, driveways and parking lots. It is also exceeds ADA-compliance, making it a great choice for commercial and residential use.
Gravel Pave involves a continuous piece of geotextile fabric laid on the ground, that helps hold gravel in place. While water can pass through the gravel and the fabric, the gravel runs the risk of being tracked away from the installation site which can lead to increased maintenance costs, as the gravel will need to be filled in.
Porous Pave is made with the rubber of recycled tires. It is highly-permeable, allowing water to easily pass through to the ground below. However, the rubber material could allow environmentally-harmful materials to leach into the groundwater.
Organic-Lock is an aggregate stabilizer that is designed to resist erosion while maintaining permeability. When water permeates the surface, the stabilizer swells into a “gel” to help keep it in place. This gelling material is described as natural, however, it’s unclear what “natural” substance is used to create this gel.
Armed with the information here, anyone can take the first step toward choosing an alternative paving solution that will not only increase the aesthetic appeal of their yard, but the health of the environment. We believe, of course, that for many projects GraniteCrete is the right choice – and we appreciate how many of you agree with us!
See how beautiful GraniteCrete can make your landscaping project while earning LEED points and supporting the health of the environment.
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