How to Create an Eco-friendly Driveway for Your Home?

In recent times, people have become conscious of the ecosystem and are looking for which driveway materials are sustainable and eco-friendly for their residential and commercial properties.

This guide will explain better what a green driveway is and what options you can consider for your home.

Green (Eco-friendly) Driveways: What are They?

Green driveways are environmentally friendly driveways which are greener alternatives to traditional paved driveways including asphalt, concrete, tarmac and block paving. While some have green surfaces, others are permeable gravel and are employed in the installation of pathways, parking lots, patios and driveways.

One striking difference between green driveways and other surfaces is that they are self-draining. This means that they allow water to pass through them into the ground below. They therefore are effective in curbing flash flooding and the environmental challenges that come with it.

These driveways are also durable, long lasting, visually aesthetic and versatile. Thus, they can fit into any property and bring a much-needed transformation.

Why should I consider an Eco-friendly Driveway for my Home?

There are different reasons why you should think towards installing a sustainable green driveway for your driveway.

It helps the Planet

Having an eco-friendly driveway helps the planet in different ways. So much damage has been done to the environment. Having an eco-friendly driveway is a way of being kind to the environment. For instance, the use of concrete or cement for driveway installation produces carbon dioxide and other additional wastes which are not biodegradable.

However, environmentally friendly driveways make use of recycled materials or those found in the natural world which reduces pollution. Additionally, having a permeable driveway helps to arrest the problem of pollution because pollutants in rainwater or wastewater are trapped onto the driveway surface as the water drains into the ground.

The use of recycled materials means there’s less pressure on the environment in terms of sourcing new raw materials and also helps to reduce landfill space.

They are Permeable

This is a very significant advantage of almost all eco-friendly driveway ideas. They are permeable as they have porous surfaces which allow water to pass through them into the ground below. Therefore, you do not have to worry about runoff, flooding or surface pooling.

Sloped driveways for instance are mostly prone to flooding, especially after heavy rainfall. This is where eco-friendly driveways bring you peace of mind.

They are Ideal for Different Climatic Conditions with Ease

The adaptation of eco-friendly driveways in different climatic conditions comes as a big plus for homeowners. During the winter, there is no ice formation on the driveway surface as water seeps through the porous surface into the ground. This keeps the surface warm and prevents ice from forming, thus making it safe for pedestrian and vehicular movement.

Additionally, you do not have to worry about puddles during the summer when it rains since these eco-friendly systems are self-draining. This reduces the risk of slips as well as issues with algae and moss.

Furthermore, the circulation of water and precipitation keeps the driveway, pathway or patio surfaces cool during summer. This coolness means that your driveway or pathway won’t be much warmer than the immediate surroundings.

Permeable driveway systems thus offer a much better heat reduction when compared to other driveway materials – for instance, asphalt which absorbs and emits lots of heat, especially when it’s in a hotter climate.

They are Durable

Eco-friendly driveways are more durable and long-lasting when compared to concrete or asphalt driveways. They are also easy to maintain and as long as they are installed correctly, they can last more than 20 years. Having an eco-friendly surface on your property is a wise long-term investment.

They Offer Great Versatility

There are so many options to choose from to install your desired environmentally friendly driveway. These driveways are versatile and can be built to conform to different shapes and sizes. They can also fit into any type of building whether old or modern.

Biodegradation

Another advantage of installing a permeable green driveway is that it helps to prevent pollutants from entering stormwater systems and water treatment works. These pollutants are also prevented from flowing into the environment where they can harm wildlife.

Such pollutants include engine grease and oil from parked cars in the driveway, detergent and soap from car washing, other harmful chemicals like pesticides as well as organic elements such as mud, sand and sediments.

They are Less Expensive than People Think

One reason why people do not go for green driveways is because they are perceived to be more expensive than other traditional driveways. Although they are pricier, they are not as expensive as it is projected, especially as it is becoming more common and people are shifting towards going green.

You do not need to break the bank to get your desired repurposed stone, recycled plastic, etc. It is also unethical for contractors or suppliers to charge more than is required. You can also compare prices from different suppliers and choose the best deal for you.

Green Driveway Options You Can Create For Your Home

The following are some environmentally friendly driveway options you can create for your home;

Crushed Concrete

Although crushed concrete is not a natural material, it is made from recycled slabs, pavement and roads. This crushed concrete option allows water to drain through it. Also, it is very sustainable in that you can get it from just about any demolition site; it is also more eco-conscious than traditional concrete as carbon dioxide is not created during the driveway installation.

This option therefore helps you to install a driveway that is very similar to a traditional concrete driveway though with a more permeable characteristic and without the environmental impact

Asphalt Driveway

Asphalt driveways are not only convenient but also very permeable. Normally, a traditional asphalt allows water to drain through but the soil underneath a regular asphalt, would suffer from dryness as the standard asphalt may not be the most sustainable option on its own. This is not so with porous asphalt which allows the water cycle to continue.

While traditional asphalt typically has around 3% of void space, which only allows a little bit of water to run through at a very slow pace, porous asphalt has around 16% of void space. This means that water can drain five times faster which is good for the environment.

Natural Stone Pavers

Natural stone pavers are great for the environment. You do not need to make anything from scratch. You can buy natural stone from quarries and it is more sustainable. For instance, Indian sandstone is naturally occurring and is visually appealing. Driveways made from natural stone produce less CO2.

Natural pavers are also porous and to a good extent weather resistant especially when they are properly sealed.

We also recommend that they be cleaned with green cleaners (made specifically for your stone type). This will even increase their longevity.

Gravel Driveways

This is a great material if you are looking to go green. It is even better when combined with an eco-grid system. Using a grid system is good for your soil.

You can install this driveway by using naturally occurring local gravels. They are both permeable and hardwearing while forming an appealing solid surface which can be sealed to protect it and enhance durability.

Permeable Pavers

Permeable pavers are fast becoming a green driveway material of choice. They are variants of a traditional mix and are mostly made from recycled plastic, which means that production will have a relatively low environmental impact.

They can be made of other materials, such as paving stones, pervious concrete, and porous asphalt. If you are using porous concrete, we recommend a vertical piping system to prevent flooding since concrete is not naturally permeable.

Grass Pavers

This is another option for a green driveway. It is different from a regular lawn and requires that a layer of sand is laid first. Then a layer of plastic mesh with holes filled throughout by a sandy loam material similar to soil is laid over the sandy foundation.

Doing this ensures the stability of the surface as vehicles will not damage grass roots. Additionally, there is no stopping the free flow of excess water making this option one of the best in terms of eco-friendly driveway options.

Hempcrete Bricks

This is a late addition to the eco-friendly driveway options but there is a positive reaction towards the use of hempcrete bricks.

It is transport and install them as they are exceptionally light – and each brick will absorb atmospheric CO2.

It is layered with a lime-based binder, giving them added durability that lasts for years after laying. It is a unique option and when you make use of this option, not only does it help the environment but also helps to increase awareness of a carbon-friendly brick.

Sandstone Bricks

This is one of the most beautiful natural materials. Sandstone is obtained when storms or inclement weather pressurize small bits of sand into granular layers. The final result is a stone substance which is often cut by paving experts into bricks to build projects.

Sandstone bricks are porous, durable and can be customised to fit any driveway appearance and shape.

Final Thoughts

These green driveway options not only upgrade your property but are also sustainable. If you require experts to do the job, reach out to us via our helplines.

We are available round the clock to attend to your requests. You can speak to an expert driveway installer about eco-friendly driveway options for your property, or simply request a free no no-obligation quote.