Permeable Paving Options - The modern solution for driveways and paths

Permeable paving is the future of external surfacing. Whether in urban or rural residential properties or larger commercial areas, permeable paving solutions are likely to become the industry standard.

This blog highlight the fundamentals of permeable paving, why it is so popular, and explore which permeable solutions are the best.

What is permeable paving?

Permeable paving is a type of paving surface that allows water and other liquids to pass through it into the base beneath. This process is called infiltration.

A permeable surface is porous which means it has many tiny gaps in the material that makes up the surface, water to pass through. An alternative permeable surface may feature a number of solid, impervious blocks such as block paving where the gaps between the blocks give it permeability.

Benefits of permeable paving

Permeable paving solutions are growing in popularity because they help tackle a number of issues that come with impermeable surfaces such as tarmac, asphalt and concrete. These include:

Reducing surface runoff

Surface runoff occurs when water travels over the land surface rather than being absorbed. Too much surface runoff can cause a number of issues for built-up areas, including flooding and pollution. It can also lead to water ingress and damp issues for homeowners.

A porous surface, on the other hand, allows more water to pass through the ground into the earth below.

Reduces the risk of floods

Many flash floods in urban areas are partially caused by excessive surface runoff where drainage systems hit their limits and the remaining water has nowhere to go.

Permeable paving helps prevent flooding by allowing some of this water to be absorbed into the ground thus reducing the pressure on urban drainage systems.

Reducing pollution

Permeable paving acts as a natural filtration system as the water passes through. With impermeable paving, because water cannot penetrate the surface, it instead runs along the surface picking up foreign bodies and pollutants as it makes its way to the drainage system. Permeable paving reduces the surface water's exposure to dirty pollutants.

No need for planning permission

Permeable paving solutions, including resin bound systems, are SUDS compliant. This is a major advantage because, if you are replacing an existing driveway or creating a new one using a porous resin bound material that allows water to drain through, it generally falls under permitted development. This means you typically do not need planning permission for these types of paving projects.

Is Resin Bound Paving permeable?

Yes, the porous surface of a resin bound system is designed to allow water to pass through to the ground below. For this reason, when installed on a suitable permeable base, resin bound systems - unlike resin bonded equivalents - are SUDS compliant.

Is Resin Bonding permeable?

Resin bonded aggregates are applied differently to resin bound; the resin is applied directly onto a suitable hard surface, usually bitmac or concrete. A primer is usually used, then the resin is applied fully to the surface. The result is a non-permeable surface that is not SUDS compliant.

If your surface needs to be permeable, a resin bound system will be more suitable. You can find out more about resin bound here.

Types of Permeable Paving

With permeable paving for driveways becoming more and more popular, there are a few different types of options to choose from including:

• Resin Bound Surfacing
• Loose Gravel
• Concrete block permeable paving
• Permeable Asphalt
• Concrete-supported grass paving.

Permeable Resin Bound Paving

A resin bound system is a surface solution that is laid by mixing dried aggregates with resin.

This creates a mixture of material that is trowelled onto a surface, providing an attractive uniform surface which is flat but porous.

This flat surface has many tiny gaps between the aggregates, allowing water to pass through. This is one of the key selling points of a resin bound system. There are many other benefits too, which you can read about through our knowledge centre on resin bound benefits.

Permeable Loose Gravel

Loose gravel is one of the simplest paving solutions around. It is cheap to buy and install and is permeable due to there being nothing in place. This means it requires regular maintenance, tidying and replacement of stones if any become displaced.

Concrete Block Paving 

Concrete block permeable paving, also known as CBPP is a surfacing solution made by laying numerous bricks or other solid and impermeable blocks down, individually, with space in between for water to drain through.

Permeable Asphalt

There are varieties of porous asphalt which have been developed to give asphalt surfaces better drainage. This is very useful for car parks and other larger public spaces.

Concrete-supported Grass paving

Concrete-supported grass paving, or, 'grassblock' is a common choice for large outdoor areas.

This kind of paving is made of interconnecting stone blocks laid in a continuous pattern, with grass being allowed to grow through the gaps.

This naturally leaves much of the natural earth exposed, making water absorption easy while giving the surface sufficient strength for heavy usage.

Why consider Permeable Resin Bound Paving?

Out of all available permeable paving options, a resin bound system offers the broadest range of practical and visual benefits.

A resin bound system gives you total flexibility in design, is hard-wearing, very easy to clean and low maintenance.

Why are Permeable Paving Options becoming so Popular?

Permeable paving surfaces are becoming more popular as awareness grows of the issues associated with impermeable surfaces in built-up areas.

Urbanisation has led to increased flooding risks and as a consequence, all new driveways have to comply with SUDS regulations. You can find more information about SUDS through our comprehensive training notes.

More Information

We hope that the above blog showcases the different permeable paving options for homeowners and landscapers, and why they are the go-to surfacing solutions for driveways.

At Derbyshire Specialist Aggregates, we are the manufacturer of DALTEX, the No.1 brand in Resin Bound Surfacing in the UK.

We source materials from all over the United Kingdom and worldwide, to provide an unrivalled range of colours, sizes and shapes to suit all applications.

If you're thinking about permeable paving for your home and want to know more about Resin Bound surfacing, then call our sales and technical support team today on 01629 636 500 or fill in our customer form below to find a DALTEX installer in your area!