Today, a lot of landscape contractors and architects are getting more familiar with what porous pavers are. While traditional options like porous asphalt and concrete pavements offer more advantages than impermeable options, plastic porous pavers, such as Grasspave2 and Gravelpave2 by Invisible Structures, have been gaining popularity in applications such as driveways, parking, gardens, turfs and walkways. Their unique grid-like configuration enables superior water infiltration.
But professionals who have never used the product may wonder about the advantages of using porous pavers over more well-known options. From ease of installation to much better drainage rates, the data speaks for itself.
Comparing the drainage capability of traditional pavers vs porous pavers
One of the most evident advantages of porous pavers lies in their drainage capabilities. The trademark ring-on grid design of Gravelpave2 and Grasspave2 enables void spaces up to 92 percent. As a result, these plastic porous pavers can facilitate drainage faster and more efficiently.
A simple solution to a complex challenge, Gravelpave2 enables a drainage rate of 38.5 inches per square foot per hour. This translates to a larger volume of runoff penetrating the ground, reducing the risk of damage to property and the environment. Conversely, traditional pavers have a void space ranging from 8 to 25 percent and can drain about 6.5 inches of water per square foot per hour. This could be the difference between a dry basement or thousands of dollars in water damage.
Advantages of using porous pavers for contractors
Plastic porous pavers complement their drainage capabilities with easy installation, which is a winning combination for contractors and landscaping companies. Both Gravelpave2 and Grasspave2 are manufactured and shipped as flexible rolls, which can be more easily installed than alternatives. In fact, it is possible for one person to install 430 square feet of Gravelpave2 in five minutes. In contrast, concrete blocks and porous asphalt and concrete demand precise installation and skilled labor for efficient performance, which is time-and cost-intensive.
Those who install Invisible Structures’ products do not have to worry about how to maintain porous pavers either. Unlike concrete blocks that require regular power washing to prevent clogging, those using Gravelpave2 only need to occasionally brush the gravel in high-traffic areas, once every six months or so.
100% recycled plastic porous pavers contribute to green building credits
Grasspave2 and Gravelpave2 can contribute to an effective stormwater management system, which means they can help projects meet LEED and SITES certifications. These stormwater solutions are also made with 100 percent recycled plastic. Consequently, they can bring additional credits to green building certifications as a more sustainable choice.
For LEED certifications, stormwater solutions by Invisible Structures can contribute up to two points for responsible sourcing of raw materials and material ingredients each. For SITE certification, just the use of recycled and regional materials, supporting responsible extraction of raw materials and sustainability in manufacturing can contribute 8-19 points.
Looking ahead
Want to leverage the many advantages of using porous pavers like Gravelpave2 and Grasspave2 in your projects but don’t know where to start? Invisible Structures has over 70 different case studies to help you get inspired. For a more targeted search, you can filter these applications by product.
