Water-permeable pavements
Permeable paving has several advantages, both practical and aesthetic. Because water can immediately infiltrate the pavement, there are no puddles or water flows. Permeable paving allows for a greener garden design while still providing load-bearing capacity in the pavement. In addition to above-ground advantages, water-permeable paving also has advantages for the subsoil. Groundwater is replenished and maintained in a natural way.
Grass concrete tiles
Rainwater easily sinks into the ground, providing plenty of space for grass and rapid replenishment of groundwater. Using fine gravel between the tiles prevents weeds from growing between them.
Porous concrete pavers
The open structure of the pavers allows rainwater to infiltrate through the paver into the subsoil.
Bricks with open joints or loose bonding
The appearance remains the same, but wide joints filled with sand, grass, or gravel allow water to sink into the ground.
Stepping stones
Clinkers or concrete tiles with gaps allowing water to sink into the ground.
Gravel, crushed stone, or shells
Hardened surface into which water can quickly sink.
Gravel or crushed stone in grid stones
The grids keep the gravel or other material in place. They also prevent the gravel from sinking into less solid ground.
Wood chips, pine bark, or cocoa shells
Rainwater can easily soak into the soil, providing a habitat for many insects.
Variable pattern tiles
With these tiles, you can create endless variations in patterns, from open to closed surfaces or vice versa.
Costs
The costs for stone paving such as clinkers and tiles are considerably higher than other types of paving such as gravel or wood chips.
Use of space
The type of pavement does not affect the use of space.
Difficulty
The degree of difficulty depends on the type of paving chosen. Clinker paving usually has to be laid by a professional. Almost anyone can lay bark paving.
Earthmoving
For paving with tiles or clinkers, a sand or rubble foundation must be laid. This requires more groundwork. For other types of paving, such as gravel, it is often necessary to install an infiltration fabric.
Maintenance
Wood chips or similar materials decay over time. These materials must be replenished regularly. Other loose paving materials such as gravel must be raked occasionally. With clinker or tile paving, weeds in the joints must be removed.
Climate goals
Less greenery is planted on water-permeable pavements. However, they do contribute to the infiltration and buffering of rainwater.
Biodiversity
Contribution to improving biodiversity
Points of attention
- Because the paving is permeable and does not drain via a sewer, it is wise to lay the permeable paving flat.
- When laying stones, the bedding layer must consist of water-permeable material, such as lava or crushed gravel. This also applies to the space between the paving stones.
- The water permeability of the gravel layer determines how much rainwater is retained or infiltrated. In addition to the gravel layer, it is also important to fill the joints with water-permeable material. In terms of maintenance, it is important to sweep regularly to prevent clogging.
- A separation fabric must be placed between the permeable trench and the surrounding soil. This is to prevent the sand from flowing into the crushed stone. It is best to use geotextile for this, rather than anti-root fabric. This material allows less water to pass through.
- Water-permeable materials include: crushed stone, lava, gravel, drainage sand, etc. Separation fabric should be used between different grain sizes. This also applies between the base layer and the storage trench.
- When carrying out this work, ensure that the surrounding soil is not compacted. Another term for compaction is soil compaction. Soil compaction occurs during mechanical excavation in wet conditions.
