A wide variety of edge restraints are available and range from timber to plastic to concrete to steel or aluminum as well as cut stone a b Bean, Eban Z.; Hunt, William F.; Bidelspach, David A.; Smith, Jonathan T. (2004). "Study on the Surface Infiltration Rate of Permeable Pavements." North Carolina State University, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept. Raleigh, NC. No need for a retention pond. Porous asphalt also saves money because it eliminatesthe need to put in a storm-water management solution such as a retention pond. The land that would usually be used for a retention pond can be developed as a profitable asset.

Porous turf, if properly constructed, can be used for occasional parking like that at churches and stadia. Plastic turf reinforcing grids can be used to support the increased load. [27] :2 [28] Living turf transpires water, actively counteracting the "heat island" with what appears to be a green open lawn. Determine the storage capacity of the permeable paving system using the depth of gravel and void space between the stones. Your gravel supplier can usually provide this information. Screenings and stone dust can be unevenly graded and have material passing No. 200 sieve and should NOT be used. Do not use masonry sand. One thing we can say is that porous pavements, patios or drivewaysare the perfect way to prevent the damage that can be caused by water and ice and they protect the environment as well.The type of driveway you are laying will dictate how it is done. We explain more in the projects listed below about the different options: Constructing a permeable driveway is a project that requires a greater understanding than if simply constructing an impermeable one, so it is wise to use a qualified contractor. See here for reliable contractors. A report from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights the cost-effectiveness and environmental advantages of permeable pavers. According to the report, “Permeable pavements can offer multiple benefits as they provide surfaces for both vehicles and pedestrians while reducing stormwater discharges.”

Some permeable paving products are prone to damage from misuse, such as drivers who tear up patches of plastic & gravel grid systems by "joy riding" on remote parking lots at night. The damage is not difficult to repair but can look unsightly in the meantime. Grass pavers require supplemental watering in the first year to establish the vegetation, otherwise they may need to be re-seeded. Regional climate also means that most grass applications will go dormant during the dry season. While brown vegetation is only a matter of aesthetics, it can influence public support for this type of permeable paving. The precise maintenance required for a driveway will ultimately depend on the type or driveway you have, but there are a few important rules of thumb that you can follow to ensure that it continues to work well. Porous pavers allow ground cover to be planted and can provide emergency vehicle access and landscaping at the same time as controlled runoff. One way to think about a rain garden is that it is an open soakaway with plants planted in the top to help absorb the excess water.

Paving grids can be offset by 1 cell increments to fit around obstacles, while retaining a strong connection to adjacent paver

Tending your garden at the front of the house gives neighbours the opportunity to meet and can help to build community spirit. See RHS Britain in Bloom and RHS It's Your Neighbourhood for inspiration

Applications of Porous Pavers

Now that we know the broad types of drainage options available we can examine the advantages and disadvantages of each specific types of driveway or patio.