Permeable surfaces are a great choice for any car park surfacing project. These surfaces enable rainwater to seep through, replenishing groundwater and lessening the strain on drainage systems, while also preventing surface runoff. This blog will explore the two most popular permeable surfaces for car parks and determine whether a permeable car park surface is necessary for your space.
Two most popular permeable surfaces for car parks
Gravel Surfacing
Known for being environmentally friendly, gravel surfacing is a great surface choice for those looking to promote sustainable urban development within their construction project. This surface material is made up of loose gravel which allows rainwater to effectively drain through. When laid by experienced car park surfacing contractors, gravel car parks can be integrated into a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), where rainwater is absorbed into the ground naturally.
While permeability is the main benefit of gravel car parks, this surface material is also incredibly versatile. Gravel car parks are suitable for a range of different vehicles, including cars, trucks, vans, coaches and even lorries. This material also has a low curing time and is available in different colours, so you can design a car parking space that is both environmentally conscious and aesthetically pleasing.
Resin-Bound Surfacing
Another popular permeable surface for car parks is resin-bound surfacing. Formulated with a mixture of aggregate stones and resin, this material is favoured for its naturally draining qualities which prevents the pooling of water – even in the stormiest of weathers. Expert road surfacing contractors, like A&MT, can also add anti-slip functionality to resin surfacing so you can increase the safety of your car park for vehicles and drivers alike.
On top of their permeability, resin-bound car parks are also extremely hard-wearing and weed-resistant. Compared to gravel surfacing, resin surfacing needs less maintenance and will last longer without needing to be relaid; we estimate that resin-bound car parks have a lifespan of over 20 years. This permeable car park surface also comes in dozens of colours and edging options, so can be customised to suit each individual project and construction space.
Do You Need a Permeable Surface for Your Car Park?
Deciding whether or not a permeable surface is necessary for your car park is an important question for anyone looking to construct a parking area. In short, no – permeable car park surfaces aren’t a requirement for all car parks. In fact, many parking areas around the UK are made from impermeable surface materials like tarmac, asphalt and concrete.
That being said, choosing a non-porous material for your car park means you’ll have to set up a proper drainage system to stop your space from flooding. This will make your project more costly and will require more maintenance in the future.
Choose A&MT For all Your Car Park Surfacing Needs
If you want to reap the benefits of a permeable car park surface, the specialists at A&MT are on hand to turn your project dreams into reality. We’ve been helping some of the UK’s largest companies design great car parks for over 40 years, and are specialists in laying the most popular car park surfaces, including gravel and resin-bound surfacing.
If you’re leaning towards a non-porous surface material like asphalt, concrete or tarmac, we can also install the right drainage system into your car park to make it suitable for parking even in torrential rain.
