Grass block pavers often referred to as turf block pavers or grow-through pavers are a replacement for standard pavers, asphalt, and concrete. They are constructed from recycled plastic or concrete and have open cells that permit grass to grow through them. They are a permeable, environmentally beneficial choice for parking lots and roads.
Where Should I use Grass Block Pavers?
The greatest surfaces for grass block pavers include drives, parking lots, and pathways. They work well on slopes where erosion control is necessary.
Where shouldn’t I use grass block paving stones?
For patios, regular pavers placed such that ordinary grass grows in tiny strips between them are preferable. If you absolutely must have grass block pavers on your patio, pick a paver with tiny cells for the grass and trim the turf to be level with the top of the paver block. (Because very short grass is delicate, you’ll need to water and feed it more.)
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stormwater runoff, one of the main causes of water pollution, is reduced by grass block paving. Rainwater washing over asphalt or concrete, picking up oil and other road pollutants, results in stormwater runoff, which then flushes the entire toxic stew into rivers, bays, and streams. Additionally, grass block pavers stop erosion by slowing the water that rushes over pavement during a downpour because they absorb water.
- Groundwater is recharged via grass block paving. These patches of grass allow rain to infiltrate into the soil, replenishing aquifers, which is crucial in arid climates with limited water supplies. Your grow-through pavers’ grass and soil will filter out the pollutants, ensuring that the water that returns to the earth is clean.
- Thanks to the miracle of evaporation from the grass, porous pavers keep the air surrounding your driveway cooler. Because asphalt retains heat, it can get hotter than July in Phoenix.
- You should applaud yourselves on living a sustainable lifestyle.
- They are lovely. Grass patches always outperform slabs of concrete or asphalt.
Cons
- Because grass block pavers contain grass, they share the same disadvantages as a turf lawn. Weeds grow there. They require watering (unless you live in a rainy place where nature does the work for you.) They require mowing. They require fertilization. Concrete or asphalt can be laid down and forgotten about.
- They can be two times as expensive as asphalt. Cost per square foot for grass block pavers ranges from $4 to $6. Costs per square foot for good ol’ asphalt or concrete range from $3 to $4.
- They are just half as durable as asphalt and concrete, which must be rebuilt after 20 to 30 years and require repairs for cracks every three to five years. In a residential drive with no traffic other than your Prius passing over the pavement a few times every day, grass block pavers will need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. In a business driveway, where hundreds of thousands of vehicles, such as enormous trucks, SUVs, and perhaps even Humvees, would pass over it, they will only survive five years.
- Because they produce a surface that is too uneven for a wheelchair, they are not ADA-compliant.
What sort do I require?
Concrete: Concrete is the best material to use for parking lots and driveways because it can support the weight of the cars that park and drive on it.
Plastic is the best material if you have few automobiles or are creating a parking area for visitors. Concrete pavers can withstand more vehicle weight and wear than plastic grass block pavers. To prevent your feet from sinking into the grass, choose plastic with small cells. Plastic is a wonderful material for walkways. According to Risner, he has completed projects using concrete grass pavers for the main driveway and plastic ones for an adjacent parking area that won’t experience as much wear and tear.
The best option for preventing erosion on a hill is a stable grid. It is actually a reinforced plastic netting rather than a paver block. Think of it as pavers’ first cousin. When you spread it on the ground, the mesh opens up into cells where you can grow grass. You won’t see any strips of hard surface in between the grass, unlike actual grass pavers with grids. The grass will be strengthened and fixed to a stable surface, preventing it from washing away. However, it can manage that steep spot in your lawn where everything you’ve planted washes out like a California landslide. It is primarily utilized in commercial settings, such as on highway roadsides or slopes.
Contact a Professional Today!
To get professional help with paving at your home, contact GreenLeaves Landscaping today!