Navigating Winter with Flexible Plastic Porous Paving
As winter blankets the landscape with snow and ice, keeping outdoor spaces such as parking and sidewalks safe and accessible can become challenging. Conventional permeable pavement made from concrete and porous asphalt can become slippery and hazardous in icy conditions. The freeze-thaw cycles can also crack the surfaces. Plus, deicing agents clog these permeable system’s void spaces, which can reduce their stormwater management efficiency over time.
Porous paving solutions like Grasspave2 and Gravelpave2 from Invisible Structures provide a winter-ready alternative to traditional pavements. These grid-like plastic porous pavers are designed to more easily infiltrate a larger volume of water, reducing puddles and helping to prevent ice buildup. Here’s how they perform exceptionally well in winter:
Porous paving system facilitate snow melting and infiltration
Whether filled with grass (Grasspave2) or gravel (Gravelpave2), porous pavers minimize snow accumulation. The system traps heat and encourages snow to melt faster compared to traditional surfaces . This helps prevent the formation of hard, slippery ice.
As snow melts, the 92 percent void space in Grasspave2 and Gravelpave2 allows water to flow directly into the soil below, maintaining a drier, safer surface for pedestrians and vehicles.
Flexible plastic porous pavers can withstand freeze-thaw cycles
Winter’s freeze-thaw cycles can be tough on most pavements, often causing cracks from the repeated expansion and contraction. The flexible, ring-on-grid design of Grasspave2 and Gravelpave2 allows these pavers to withstand such cycles without cracking or losing structural integrity, offering both durability and resilience under harsh winter conditions.
Compatibility with eco-friendly de-icing
Traditional de-icing agents used to prevent the formation of ice can clog the void spaces in permeable concrete pavements. Because the pavement infiltrates water through these gaps, clogging can reduce their ability and efficiency to manage stormwater. Grasspave2 and Gravelpave2, on the contrary, are compatible with eco-friendly deicers and feature a significantly higher volume of void space. This combination prevents any damage or clogging to the porous pavers, allowing them to function effectively and efficiently year after year.
Next steps
Ready to winter-proof the outdoor spaces? Explore porous paving solutions by Invisible Structures today.