Advantages of draining surfaces vs asphalt, comparison between materials

Draining surfaces are the new frontier of road paving and are particularly suitable in some environments, but which ones are they advantages of draining surfaces?

The advantages of draining surfaces lie in the very characteristics of the material used which is ecological and also convenient. However, convenience is not calculated on the basis of a mere economic saving in the drafting phases, but is inherent in the characteristics of flexibility, durability and eco-sustainability of the product.

In a planet devastated by devastating climate changes, i advantages of draining surfaces they can be exploited to aim for a rebalance between urbanization and nature. In outdoor areas, draining surfaces such as those made with products Terra Solida Italy® allow a better drainage of water towards the subsoil giving the possibility of having resistant floors that increase mobility safety. In rethinking the urban context, as well as paving in countryside areas and private rural roads, it is therefore possible to obtain the typical advantages of an asphalt surface combined with the environmental compatibility of permeable surfaces.

This allows the water cycle to be preserved in the presence of secondary roads, paths, private roads of villas and archaeological areas, cycle paths, car parks and amusement parks. This leads to reducing pollution on the one hand, and on the other to having long-term economic savings for those who use them. It appears as clear as i advantages of draining surfaces are multiple, thanks also to a technology already ready to be proposed on a large scale.

Permeable surfaces vs asphalt

We have anticipated what they are advantages draining surfaces. Now to make a real comparison between materials, let's delve deeper into them characteristics of asphalt.

Asphalt has characteristics that are in some ways similar to those of permeable surfaces, but at the same time presents many substantial differences.

Classic asphalt is very widespread and is an inexpensive material, which can certainly represent an advantage, but at the same time its poor durability over time inevitably leads to disadvantages in terms of competition with permeable surfaces.

Artificial asphalt is made with a mix of bitumen, gravel (coarse aggregate), filler and sand (light aggregate) and can be laid both hot and cold. Due to the bituminous nature of the material, asphalt therefore presents waterproofing properties, which lead to a alteration of the characteristics of the soil on which it is spread. Over time, solutions to this problem have been adopted, through the shaping of the asphalt, to allow water to drain. However, even in this case, asphalt presents substantial differences compared to an ecological pavement made with a mix of single-granular aggregates.

In fact, asphalt allows you to obtain a smooth, non-slip, resistant and rapidly hardening covering, but it adapts less to the environment than a permeable surface, which can instead be used on any type of terrain.

Advantages of draining surfaces and disadvantages compared to asphalt

The permeable surface used for road paving has various advantages compared to classic asphalt paving.

Weighing the advantages and disadvantages well can therefore lead to the best choice. So, what is better to choose?

Draining surfaces or asphalt?

Among the pluses offered by the eco-sustainable solution represented by permeable surfaces we find:

• greater durability over time

• greater resistance to thermal expansion (hot-cold effect)

• a greater ability to avoid water stagnation, thanks to the draining properties of the material

• the possibility of carrying out works in areas subject to landscape and environmental restrictions

• greater safety due to the permeability of the surface (no aquaplaning)

• the possibility of preventing flooding in neighboring homes or properties

• the use of an ecological and more environmentally friendly material

• recyclability in case of removal of materials

On the side driveability obviously, we can find a critical and decisive point.

In fact, the ability to support loads, together with other laying characteristics, they make the asphalt ideal for very busy roads also from heavy vehicles such as motorways, expressways and large road junctions. THE advantages of permeable surfaces they are therefore more exploitable for creation of pedestrian paths, cycle paths, roads and car parks, squares, greenways.

However, the growing need to deal with constraints and climate change is leading to an increasingly large-scale use of ecological draining surfaces. The continuous technological improvement of permeable ecological surfaces thus suggests an imminent rebalancing (which is already underway) between the percentages of use of the two materials. The future, therefore, increasingly leans towards permeable ecological surfaces. Classic asphalt, in fact, when not used for large infrastructures, can be replaced by recyclable, ecological materials with high environmental compatibility characteristics. This factor is undoubtedly the plus represented by the draining surfaces in the environmental protection and for the construction of low environmental impact flooring.

Draining surfaces for low environmental impact

I advantages of draining surfaces they are well contained in the concept of products City Open Paving di Terra Solida Italia®. Our products allow you to create floorings suitable for all landscape contexts, in particular where it is necessary to have a low environmental impact of flooring, without altering the hydrogeological balance.

The final product is obtained by mixing a mix of easily available single-granular aggregates. The flooring created with City Open Paving it can offer drainage capacities of up to 2240 l/m15 x min, with a void index between 20 and XNUMX%.

An economical, low environmental impact solution that takes full advantage of the advantages draining surfaces.

The ideal way to have a safe, ecological flooring that also leads to save over time:

• recyclability is 100%, thus reducing disposal costs
• the flooring is not classified as special waste and does not release polluting substances into the environment throughout its life cycle

Finally, further saving, as well as further help for the environment, is represented by the use of local aggregates in the mixture. Thus reducing the costs of transporting aggregates and related emissions.

Want to know more about binders and mixtures to be used in various urban and landscape contexts?

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