What
is Grasscrete?
Grasscrete is a pervious reinforced concrete structure
for all types of trafficked areas that is either covered
with grass, has grass growing in the voids of the
structure or has stone in the voids of the structure.
How is Grasscrete made?
Grasscrete is made by pouring concrete over "Formers",
a tool or mold that leaves voids in the concrete,
that once opened can be filled with a variety of porous
materials such as grass or gravel.
What are the formers
made of?
Grasscrete Formers come in two types. A re-usable
plastic tool that is used only for fully grassed or
concealed installations and the more common single-use
Molded Pulp Former used for all Grasscrete types.
What is molded pulp?
The Molded Pulp is made from 100% recycled paper pulled
from both post industrial and post consumer waste
streams. It is suspended in a water slurry, vacuum
formed to a mold and then air dried to a solid product.
It is based on the same biodegradable material commonly
found at landscape supply stores or nurseries that
plant pots are made from.
What is the difference
between Grasscrete and the competitors?
Grasscrete is the only product on the market that
is made from continuously reinforced cast-in-place
concrete. It is by far the most robust pervious grassed
structure as it is not made from cheap plastic rings
or supplied in segments. It has the load bearing capacity
and durability comparable to concrete freeways or
parking lots.
What are the product
dimensions ?
The individual Grasscrete Formers are 24” x
48” in outside dimension and are 5” deep.
The final installed product size is determined by
the size of the project – every square foot
of properly installed Grasscrete is connected with
steel reinforcement.
What is Grasscrete installed
over?
Grasscrete is installed over a sub-base of gravel
at a depth determined by the load bearing capacity
required for the project. In many situations the Grasscrete
is installed over the native soils saving money on
excavation and gravel. In some cases it is installed
over a deep bed of crushed stone or even storm water
chambers so as to provide capacity for water which
can be highly desired when controlling storm water
runoff.
How well does grass grow
over Bomanite Grasscrete?
Grasscrete has been installed extensively throughout
the world in all climate types. In some environments
such as the Pacific Northwest it will grow the same
as any lawn requiring no irrigation. In environments
that are dry and hot, it is recommended that the Grasscrete
be irrigated much like any other grassed area. Hardy,
drought tolerant grass or groundcover can be selected
for applications such as retaining pond bottoms or
slope protection.
How long do we have to
wait before driving on Grasscrete?
Unlike other competitive systems that may require
the grass to grow prior to use, Grasscrete can be
driven on immediately after the concrete hardens in
the extent of an emergency situation. Typically it
is recommended that you wait two to four weeks before
you drive on it for best results
What types of grass should
I use in the product?
.Use a species that is both deep rooting and robust.
Generally a Blue/Rye/Fescue mix in northern climates
and Zoysia, Fescue, or Bermuda types in southern climates.
What material is Grasscrete
filled with for grassed installations?
Grasscrete functions best in fully concealed installations
when a sandy soil is used to fill the voids and to
cover the concrete. This will allow the grass to grow
well and will support occasional non-emergency vehicle
access. The same mixture is used for void grassed
only installations which will allow for any type of
vehicle access as often as required.
Can I seed or sod over
the product?
Seed or sod can both be used dependant upon the application.
Is soil amending recommended?
Yes, a water retaining soil additive such as PAM or
equal is recommended for grassed applications. It
will retain moisture between watering or rainfall
and will help aerate the root zone as it expands and
contracts.
How are parking spaces
delineated on a Grasscrete parking lot?
The use of traditional line paints is the most effective
way to delineate stalls on a Grasscrete parking lot.
Other methods, such as pouring the concrete in multiple
pours, leaving a wider band of concrete between the
stalls and planting brushes or shrubs in a predetermined
pattern are all ways to distinguish between stalls
and to control traffic patterns.
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