Permeable driveways have several benefits over traditional non-permeable surfaces. They allow absorbing runoff, thereby preventing the accumulation of water on the driveway. They also filter and purify the water as it moves to the lakes, rivers and oceans. They recharge aquifers and reduce the risks associated with floods. On top of all this, they help in the heat island effect and trap the sun’s heat effectively underneath the concrete and asphalt to be used when the climate changes.
If you are interested in installing a permeable green driveway for your home, then you will be delighted to note that you can achieve this using a specific concrete mix that is of a permeable porous type. You can also improvise on the standard permeable driveway by opting for a living area filled with grass, turf and native plants.
So how do you go about transforming your existing driveway into an environmentally friendly one? Here are some steps that would help you with the same.
Choose the best design
The first thing you would need to do to install a permeable www.leicesterdrivewaypro.co.uk driveway is to choose the best layout and design in par with the needs of your current driveway. . Accordingly, some interesting designs you can consider include:
Open Cell Pavers
These are the standard concrete pavers, albeit with holes on the surface that you can fill with any type of pervious material. For instance, you can fill the holes with vegetation can help in water absorption in addition to making your driveway look greener and softer. They would also provide the most adequate minimum area for you to navigate your car on the path properly.
Pervious Pavers
These contain joints that with aggregate fillings in order to allow the water to seep in between the pavers. Each paver contains tabs that offer the apt joint width, thereby easing the installation process. Like open cell pavers, a sturdy base beneath is required for pervious pavers.
Porous Pavers
These contain a natural reservoir beneath them to hold the surface runoff and make the driveway more permeable. While doing so, the water seeping through the driveway would be subject to a natural filtration process. Porous pavements do not contain the dense materials used for asphalt and concrete driveways. Rather, they contain hollow areas to facilitate water infiltration.
Gravel
Another permeable driveway surface involves laying gravel above a base underlayment, usually made of plastic with honeycomb cells in order to facilitate permeability. The cells are filled up with gravel to prevent the water from seeping into the sewers from the soil.
Installing the Driveway
Plant the greens first
When installing a permeable driveway, planting the middle area first would make the project easier. This way, you simply need to cover the rest of the area with concrete strips or bricks, right up to the garage door.
Work on the Greens
In order to enhance the green effect of your driveway even more, consider adding some more grass as well as other kinds of foliage to the surrounding areas. This would make the driveway more permeable as well as greener. The dense foliage would also help absorb automobile leakages and absorb run-offs.
The Layers involved
In contrast to other types of driveways that contain only a few layers, green driveways contain multiple layers. In most cases, these layers would begin with sandy surface that maintains grade. This would be followed by a support structure in the form of a sandy loan. This connects to your root system and helps create an appropriate surface for you to drive. While you can do this as a DIY project, you can consider calling in the professionals if this is your first time.
Summary
Permeable driveways are a lot greener than traditional driveways. They benefit the home as well as the environment in many ways. If you are thinking about installing a permeable driveway for your home, consider these pointers when planning your project.