Permeable Pavement Vs. Traditional Pavement: A Quick Comparison

When deciding on the right kind of pavement for your property, you might weigh traditional and permeable pavement pros and cons. In this blog, we will look at both, focusing on what they bring to the table, their downsides, and their main differences. This will help you make the best choice, especially if you’re keen on a more eco-friendly urban landscape.

Traditional Pavement: The Standard Approach

Traditional pavement, which you see everywhere in concrete and asphalt forms, has been popular for driveways, footpaths, and the like for decades. It’s tough, won’t break the bank, and you can lay it down easily. But choosing traditional pavement isn’t without its challenges—there are quite a few drawbacks to consider, particularly regarding the environment.

The big issue with traditional pavement is it’s as impenetrable as a raincoat. Water can’t get through surfaces like concrete and asphalt, and this causes a few dramas:

Water Runoff

These hard surfaces don’t let rain soak in, so you end up with a lot of runoff. This can be a real problem with flooding, especially in built-up areas where there’s little greenery.

Pollution

Runoff from these pavements can wash all sorts of nasty stuff into our drains—things like oil, grease, and heavy metals from vehicles. This muck then ends up in our creeks and rivers, which isn’t great for our water quality or the poor old fish.

Heat Island Effect

Traditional pavements soak up heat and hang onto it, making urban areas much warmer than the surrounding countryside. This can make hot days feel even hotter and means we end up using more energy to keep buildings cool.

Limited Groundwater Recharge

Since water can’t get through these surfaces, it doesn’t replenish the groundwater underneath. This can impact local ecosystems and even our water supply.

Maintenance and Durability Concerns

While traditional pavements start off strong, they can crack and get potholes over time, thanks to the weather and the freeze-thaw cycle. Fixing these issues can add to the long-term costs.

These challenges highlight the need for more sustainable and environmentally friendly options. That’s exactly what we at StoneSet are passionate about providing with our permeable pavement. Now, you might be wondering, what is permeable concrete? Well, permeable pavement isn’t just limited to concrete; it can be made from various materials, including asphalt and paving stones. At StoneSet, we take a unique approach with our resin-bound stone solution, which tackles these traditional paving issues, making it a superb choice for eco-minded property owners.

Permeable Pavement: Sustainable Innovation

Permeable pavement might be relatively new to the paving scene, but it’s fast becoming a popular choice, largely thanks to its environmental and practical benefits. Here at StoneSet, we’re all about sustainable paving solutions. As an Australian company backed by almost 30 years of industry experience, we understand what works best in our unique climate. We’re leading the way with permeable pavement installations perfect for driveways, school courtyards, car parks, and tree surrounds. 

The benefits of permeable pavement go way beyond just letting water through. Here’s a breakdown of what makes it so good:

Improved Water Management

This type of pavement is a champ at handling water. It lets rain soak through into the ground, which cuts down on runoff and helps keep flooding and erosion in check.

Enhanced Groundwater Recharge

Permeable surfaces let rainwater filter through the soil, refilling underground water supplies. This is super important in cities where there are a lot of impermeable surfaces.

Reduction in Pollutants

As rainwater passes through permeable pavement, it gets filtered, which means cleaner water ends up in our groundwater.

Temperature Regulation

Permeable surfaces don’t hold onto heat like traditional pavements, so they help keep things cooler in urban areas.

Durability and Longevity

These pavements are built to last and can handle heavy traffic and rough weather. That makes them a practical pick for a bunch of different uses.

Aesthetic Appeal

With options like resin-bound paving, you can get really creative with how your pavement looks. There are many choices for colours, textures, and patterns to spruce up any area.

Noise Reduction

These pavements can soak up sound, which means quieter outdoor spaces. That’s a big plus in busy areas or near schools and homes.

You’re doing your bit by choosing permeable pavements to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly urban landscape. And with StoneSet’s commitment to providing these solutions, you’re in good hands.

Key Differences: A Quick Comparison

• Water Management: Permeable pavement is excellent at managing water and helping prevent flooding, while traditional pavement can struggle in this area.
• Environmental Impact: Traditional pavements contribute to the urban ‘heat island’ effect, but permeable options keep things cooler and greener.
• Durability and Maintenance: Both types are pretty sturdy, but permeable pavements might need a bit more TLC. However, they make up for it with their environmental benefits.
• Aesthetic and Design Flexibility: Permeable pavement, especially the resin-bound type, offers more choices for designs and looks.

Choosing between traditional pervious vs. permeable pavers boils down to what matters most to you—things like the environmental impact, maintenance, and how you want it to look.

From urban landscapes to commercial properties, StoneSet’s Australian-made, eco-friendly permeable pavement examples are perfect for any project. Backed by almost three decades of industry experience, StoneSet is a leader in providing sustainable, good-looking paving solutions that keep up with the latest environmental principles.

So, if you’re keen to learn more about permeable pavement benefits or get a quote, hop onto our website and chat with us. We’re always up for a chat about how we can help make your paving project special and sustainable!