Hardscape Products: Viable Options for the Water Conscious Designer

Sustainable landscapes have become the focus of today’s leading design professionals. Now more than ever, it is important to recognize the benefits and availability of environmentally friendly hardscape products.

Interlocking pavers have been around since before the days of ancient Rome, and are widely accepted and used for both vehicular and pedestrian surfaces.

In the past 10-15 years, there have been great advancements in the use of concrete pavers for creating more visually attractive products while being mindful of the ability to protect our greatest resource: water.

Interlocking permeable pavers are designed to allow water to filter into the soil below, while retaining the benefits of traditional pavers.

Permeable pavers are experiencing an increase in use for both commercial and residential projects, and offer several benefits over traditional pavers.

The increased use of permeable pavers in both commercial and residential projects can be attributed to many different factors, including the following:

• Storm water management. A well-designed permeable interlocking paver surface can greatly reduce or even eliminate storm water runoff. The U.S. EPA recognizes permeable pavers as a best management practice (BMP) for storm water. Reduction of flood potential is another benefit of the permeable surface.
• Rainwater Harvesting and Pollution Filtering. Permeable projects can be designed with storage capabilities, so water can be redistributed throughout the property and used for the purpose of irrigation, water features, etc. The open graded aggregate base also acts as a filter for pollutants before reaching groundwater supplies.
• Durability and Versatility. Permeable pavers are extremely durable and offer a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors to accommodate project needs. The flexibility and growing popularity of these products is prompting manufacturers to expand their offerings to include even more choices.

Permeable pavers offer designers a flexible, water-conscious alternative to traditional pavers or concrete surfaces, and provide additional on-site benefits. When reviewing your next commercial or residential project, consider integrating permeable pavers into your specifications.