Pervious concrete takes on decorative concrete appeal
Municipal areas, large commercial buildings, retail stores, and urban sprawl are contributing to an ever growing amount of hard concrete surfaces. The decrease in green space effects the amount of water that is able to perculate down into the soil, as well as replentish our life sustaining water resources. The ability to decrease rapid run off to storm sewers, along with water being able to reach the drip line of trees, are both major plus factors as well.
*
Pervious concrete is placed over a base of gravel (instead of groundwork typical of ordinary concrete). It can be integrally colored; however, due to large size of aggregate used and gaps/voids, it is my understanding that the use of reactive stains or dyes are not recommended, nor can the typical pervious concrete be stamped or imprinted. I have read that there is a ultra-fine propriatory pervious concrete that can be placed about 1/2" thick over 3" slabs of standard pervious concrete in order to create simple decorative concrete designs (note: the ultra-fine must be applied over the 3" slab within a short window of time while it is still/wet-uncured); furthermore, you can form shapes, boarders, etc on the 3" pour, then fill them in with 1/2" of the ultra-fine that has been integrally colored for design/accent enhancing purposes (sort of like doing a mosiac). When the 1/2" has dry/cured pull out the forms between them and then carefully fill with a pervious concrete grout mix (again integrally coloring it for aestetic enhancement). Another alternaitve is to pour bordering areas of regular concrete that you can design and adorn in any standard way/means associated with the decorative concrete industry (sort of picture framing), then pour integrally colored pervious concrete within them (ie: combining the best of both worlds... standard and pervious concrete ...adding greater degree of curb appeal, while increasing the properties value and addressing environmental concerns.
*
I am quite intrigued by the pervious concrete possibilities that have been recognized as the best storm water management practice by U.S Environmental Protection Agency and contributes to LEEDs point system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). National Reay Mix Association has a program devoted to certifying pervious concrete craftsmen and I believe that the ACI is undertaking (or has already done so) the writing of industry standards pretaining to it.
*
On another note, the large size of the aggregate in the pervious concrete not only allows water to flow down through it, but also when subjected to snow/ice the gaps/voids of this extremetly porous surface allow water to freeze and expand up (being the line of least resistance) instead of compromising it (popping apart).
*
Maybe its time you ventured out into the world of pervious concrete ...it may add to your bottom line (profits) while it meets a wide range of environmental concerns in what can be a vibrant colored enhancing way. We live in an every increasing environmentally conscious world, those that don't jump onboard the pervious concrete ship may be left out at sea with the profits associated with this speciality surface washing up on a competitors shoreline.
*
"Google" pervious concrete, you will find a great deal of insightful articles and impressive content in regards to it.
*
Are there those of you that are already offering your customers pervious concrete? If so, do you see the demand for this growing in your area? How do you compare the time, labor, and cost per sq.ft. associated with pouring/finsihing it to those assocated with regular concrete?
*
Lindy A.
Thank you for sharing info and photo Cori. We are an innovative industry, motivated by a ever going environmentally conscious Nation ... where there is a will, someone will always find a way, therefore making pervious concrete more appealing in relation to colors and designability will ultimately take its place it the architectural/decorative hardscapes world.
*
LIndy A.
I like what you did Cori. It looks like a natural gravel walk to me .... with the benefit the gravel doesn't wander off into the grass over time. Should dry out and have good traction with a little sun on in during the Winter. I'd do that in a heart beat here in Alaska!
The attention in pervious concrete is being determined by the benefits it provides in storm water management and sustainable development. Parking lots are major sources of storm water pollution. Impervious pavement surfaces do not allow storm water to pass through them. Therefore, the surfaces must be sloped to allow for proper drainage of water to drainage facilities or retention ponds. A more efficient design is to allow the storm water to percolate directly into the soil where it falls and this is accomplished with a pervious concrete pavement.
I'm still waiting to see pervious concrete with a particularly attractive appearance. It’s super cool, although as is I don’t know if it will ever be requested because of its good looks. I sure hope there is hope! We’ve done pervious, but I'm still concerned about its longevity because we get some nasty winters here in PA. I prefer fibers in the mix, and most if not all pervious that we’ve done has included fiber. Here is a pervious sidewalk we poured at Forta Corp last year, take a wild guess if there's fiber in that one. I hear it does its job... although its not too pretty.