A Better Paving Material for Retail Parking Lots

If you need to pave a retail parking lot, there are a lot of different things you’ll need to take into consideration. Saving money is one thing that almost everyone considers important, but there are other features to consider as well. Stormwater detention is something every parking lot has to deal with, for instance. 

Eco-friendliness, aesthetic appeal, and achieving the required parking capacity are also other important factors that come into play. Most retail parking lot owners use a pure asphalt or pure concrete pavement, with additional drainage systems put in place to deal with stormwater. 

There are more efficient ways, however, to meet the requirements of a retail parking lot. In case you weren’t aware of these superior alternatives to asphalt and concrete, let’s take a look at paving material you can use to improve your retail parking lot in a variety of ways.

How to Get the Best of Both Worlds in a Retail Parking Lot

Most retail lots use only asphalt or concrete, which is largely due to tradition and the durability of these materials. There is a better parking lot solution that has been created for residential, commercial, and industrial parking lots, however. Plastic permeable pavement like TRUEGRID’s PRO PLUS is the solution. 

Permeable pavers are durable enough to handle the heavy usage of a retail parking lot without ever requiring any significant maintenance. They are also more cost-effective than asphalt or concrete. 

Permeable pavers also work as a built-in drainage system, allowing you to save money on stormwater drainage and detention. This allows you to use more of your available land for parking spaces instead of allocating space for a detention pond. With permeable pavers, the detention pond can be located directly beneath the parking lot. 

Of course, some retail owners still like the look of asphalt or concrete in their lots, but that’s not a problem. You can get the best of both worlds by combining asphalt or concrete with permeable pavement. This is done by laying your typical asphalt or concrete hardscapes to use as driving lanes, and then building the parking spaces entirely out of permeable pavers. 

By constructing your parking lot like this, you will slash the installation time by a significant margin, you’ll save money, and eliminate the potential for standing water in your lot. 

America’s #1 Coffee Company Has Used TRUEGRID Pavers 

Don’t just take it from us that TRUEGRID is the most effective solution for improving the efficiency of a parking lot and eliminating stormwater issues, take it from Starbucks. That’s right, the world’s most popular coffee shop utilized TRUEGRID pavers to address flooding and stormwater problems at their New Orleans location. 

The city is known for having above-average levels of precipitation, so Starbucks combined their concrete hardscape with permeable parking spaces to effectively eliminate the flooding issues they were having in their 20-car lot. 

TRUEGRID is Perfect for Any Retail Location

As you can see, TRUEGRID pavers are the perfect solution for any location that wants to save money, use their land more efficiently, and eliminate stormwater drainage issues. Even the busiest of locations can implement TRUEGRID due to the incredibly low installation time required to install the pavers. Depending on the size of the lot, installation can even be completed in a day’s time. 

You’d think that a product with so many benefits would be more expensive than its competitors, but that’s not the case with TRUEGRID permeable pavers. In fact, they’re more affordable than asphalt or concrete, on average. 

Not only that, but they’re much more eco-friendly and stylistically diverse. You can create your own unique design by using different types and colors of aggregate to give your parking lot a totally unique look. 

Take Your Retail Lot to the Next Level with Permeable Pavers

Some business owners are attached to the idea of having an asphalt or concrete parking lot. They might think it looks more professional or simply aren’t aware of any respectable alternatives. 

TRUEGRID permeable pavers give you the best of both worlds without sacrificing value. By swapping out your asphalt or concrete lot spaces with permeable pavement, you can still use asphalt or concrete for your driving lanes while enjoying the many benefits that come with permeable pavement. 

This Starbucks location in New Orleans is just one example of a company that was able to more efficiently use their lot space while eliminating drainage and flooding issues completely. You can also combine concrete or asphalt hardscapes with permeable parking spaces to build a parking lot that’s more attractive, nearly impossible to flood, quicker to install, and requires less maintenance than the average 100% asphalt or concrete lot. 

If you’re looking to pave a retail parking lot, pick up a sample of TRUEGRID permeable pavers today.

Mining is one of the most dangerous jobs on Earth. Mines pose a risk of collapsing, and they also stir up so much dust during normal operations that it becomes a health hazard to everyone in the vicinity. Miners have to deal with dust in the actual mines, and then on the surrounding roadways as well. 

Thankfully, there are methods for controlling dust, both in and around mines, that are not only quick and cheap but incredibly effective as well. Let’s take a look at the best ways to combat this pervasive issue.

The Dangers of Dust

Dust is dangerous to miners in a variety of ways. First and foremost, it poses a respiratory threat and can cause choking, uncontrollable coughing, infections, and lung diseases that last forever. 

Not only can it compromise the health of a miner for the rest of their life, it can make them more prone to accidents and mistakes on the job as well. Too much dust inhalation in a short period of time can cause brain fog, confusion, and a decrease in fine motor skills. 

None of these symptoms make it safe to work in a mine, especially when using heavy equipment. Dust is typically kicked up around conveyor belts, points of transfer, hammer mills, and crushers, weigh belt feeders, ball mills, excavation sites, and roads and highways. 

4 Ways to Reduce Dust in Mines

Thankfully, there are several excellent ways to reduce dust and create a safer work site. These four methods are some of the most efficient ways to approach dust control in mines.

1. Water

 

Water is the cheapest way to address dust control in tunnels and underground. All you have to do is spray it wherever dust might be an issue and the dust will be too heavy to float in the air, thus preventing it from getting the lungs of workers. 

Water is quick and effective, but it needs to be constantly reapplied and can make things muddy. For long-term mining operations, water is not a viable solution. 

2. Ventilation

A more effective method of dust control is to implement proper ventilation. Fans and other escape routes for dirty air can be used to keep fresh, dust-free air circulating through the tunnels. It can be challenging to get an airflow going without kicking up dust, so ventilation is best combined with the use of water for the best results. 

3. Dust Collectors

When water and proper ventilation alone aren’t enough, dust collectors can be brought in. Dust collectors are machines that suck up dust and store it so it can’t find it’s way back into the air. They are especially effective in tight spaces and tunnels or areas without access to good ventilation. 

4. Permeable Pavement

Tunnels and underground areas are important to focus on, but it’s equally important to perform above-ground dust control as well. This can be a difficult proposition due to the high levels of dust kicked up during above-ground mining operations, but there is one method that’s proven to be effective. Permeable pavers filled with gravel can be implemented in a normally dusty surface. 

Permeable pavers from TRUEGRID like the PRO PLUS system are the perfect way to reduce dust on roadways and thoroughfares because they can eliminate the dirt that is normally kicked up into the air. 

After a shallow excavation of the area that needs dust control, you can fill in the area with gravel and interlock the TRUEGRID pavers over the top. Once the pavers have been laid, more gravel is used to fill the grid pavers to the top, but not overfilled. This allows the gravel to be supported and stabilized and prevents airborne particles due to pulverization. 

This creates an area that is free of dust and capable of handling heavy traffic. For open-air, above-ground situations, TRUEGRID permeable pavers are the most effective solution for dust control, especially for long-term operations. 

By installing permeable pavers on the worksite, you can eliminate the need for constant water-spraying as well as the need for sweeping, barriers, dust collectors, and chemical dust control methods. 

Controlling Dust in Mines is a Top Priority

Dust isn’t just a nuisance or a hindrance to work operations, it can be harmful and even deadly to employees if left unchecked. In order to control dust, you need to use a multi-faceted approach at mining sites. Methods like spraying water, ensuring good ventilation, and using dust collectors are all effective for underground dust control, and can even be combined for maximum dust control.

Above-ground, the best way to control dust is to install TRUEGRID permeable pavers. They are quick to install, durable enough to handle massive vehicles, and will keep dust controlled for as long as you have them installed. 

Contact TRUEGRID today if you want to reduce on-site dust.

When you think of permeable pavement, you might envision parking lots or sidewalks made from material like permeable asphalt, concrete, or pavers. Parks can also benefit from permeable pavers. In fact, one type of permeable paver is able to improve parks in ways that other types can’t. 

Let’s review the permeable paver that can have the largest impact on parks and what benefits it can provide.

Permeable Pavers Aren’t Just for Parking Lots

Most types of permeable pavement can only be implemented in areas intended for parking or areas where pavement already exists, like pathways and other surfaces. However,  the TRUEGRID ROOT™ system allows permeable pavers to be implemented across the park without changing the appearance or functionality at all. 

ROOT™  pavers lock into place on top of the existing grass and allow the grass to grow up through them. The end result is an area that looks exactly the same but now has additional durability and erosion-prevention capabilities. 

The Benefits of Permeable Pavers for Parks

Parks have a lot of foot traffic on an almost daily basis, so it’s not surprising that many parks are dealing with trampling, bare patches, and soil erosion Parks need to be watered constantly, which means an unrelenting flow of water that often erodes the nearby soil. 

It’s not uncommon to walk through a park and find areas along the edges of pathways and around trees that are either completely bare of grass or have severe soil erosion issues. Large expansive areas of green grass are what make up most parks, so preserving not only this grass, but the soil beneath it, should be a top priority. 

Most parks simply deal with trampled, torn up areas and bare patches in their parks by only choosing to reseed and repair when the erosion and damage has become so unsightly that it demands a resolution.

Fortunately, there is a less expensive and much more practical way of keeping parks in top shape By installing TRUEGRID ROOT™  permeable pavers, the health of the grass will improve and make it easier to maintain the area for longer without having to invest in costly maintenance. 

In many parks, loose gravel is used to create walking, hiking, and biking trails, as well. Thankfully, with the TRUEGRID PRO PLUS™ system, this gravel can be stabilized to mitigate the effects of erosion and deterioration. TRUEGRID really is the perfect solution for park paving.

What Sets TRUEGRID ROOT™  Apart From the Rest?

TRUEGRID ROOT pavers are the best choice for any park needing to prevent soil erosion, grass trampling, and bare patches. They are specifically designed to handle heavy loads and keep grass and soil in place. Unlike other types of pavers, the installation process f is so simple it can be completed in less than a day.

All you have to do is place the pavers over your designated area, and make sure that they are placed with the teeth facing upwards, and wet the entire area thoroughly with water. Once the entire area has been sprayed, simply press the pavers into the ground with a roller and you’re done. The grass will grow up through the pavers and the pavers themselves will hardly even be noticeable. 

Once the installation is complete, they will last for a full 60 years little to no maintenance required. This means that you won’t need to reseed grass or take other measures to improve the land, because the grass and soil will be fully protected. 

Made from 100% recycled plastic, permeable ROOT™  pavers are as durable as they come and provide stabilized drains to allow for the natural flow of water through the soil and into the water table. 

With the TRUEGRID ROOT™ system, you can easily create durable grass parking lots in parks that match the harmonious design of the natural setting. A permeable grass parking lot from TRUEGRID can easily withstand the heavy traffic of a popular park, without damaging the underlying grass. Visitors will love this environmentally-conscious installation and its natural aesthetic.

Parks Need Improved Protection for Long-Term Health and Longevity

Parks are places where groups of people get together often, so it only makes sense that the grass in a park would require a bit more maintenance than usual. Instead of letting your park become rutted, bare, and unsightly due to foot traffic, it’s time to implement a solution that guarantees 6 decades of protection and health. 

By installing permeable ROOT™  pavers, you can save money and time while improving the look and health of your park with simple, lightweight pavers that are easy to install, eco-friendly, permeable, and incredibly durable. It’s never been easier to give parks the added protection they need against the daily traffic that wears them down. 

The TRUEGRID PRO PLUS paver system is great for building a permeable parking lot for your park, but the TRUEGRID ROOT™ paver system is the only one that offers the protection and benefits that every park needs.

Contact the paving experts at TRUEGRID to get more information on a durable paving solution for public parks.

 

Country homes often have very long driveways. They’re different from suburban driveways because they need to be built from materials that don’t require a lot of regular maintenance due to their length and location. They also need to be able to stand up to long hours in the sun in most areas.

Rural Driveway Design Ideas

If you live in a rural country home and are looking for innovative ideas on what kind of driveway to install, you’re in luck. Here are 9 driveway design ideas to consider for your rural home:

1. Blacktop

Blacktop is the most expensive type of asphalt, though not as expensive as a material like cement. It’s great for cold and snowy areas because of its ability to adapt to extreme temperatures. Blacktop is durable enough to withstand the rigors of country life, but it’s not without its drawbacks. The price can be too high for some, and it needs to be sealcoated every 3 to 5 years as well.

2. Recycled Asphalt

Recycled asphalt is a cheaper alternative to blacktop, but it’s not necessarily the best for country driveways. It is dust-free and can be easily repaired when needed, but it has a thin layer of stone on top that stays loose while the base hardens. This layer can become easily dislodged, and recycled asphalt isn’t nearly as heat-resistant as blacktop.

3. Cement

Cement can be one of the longest-lasting surfaces if it’s properly maintained. Cement needs to be sealed and requires resealing about every 5 years. It’s not great for areas that experience temperature extremes, however, because it easily cracks under such conditions. Cement is also the most expensive material to use for a rural driveway due to its initial expense as well as its regular maintenance costs. 

4. Recycled Concrete

A slightly cheaper alternative to cement is recycled concrete. It’s almost as strong as cement and has most of the characteristics that attract people to cement. One of the dangers of using recycled concrete for a driveway, though, is that you may end up with broken glass or miscellaneous debris in your driveway because recycled concrete is often sourced from demolished buildings and other similar types of sites.

5. Crushed Granite

Crushed granite is a unique red color that is great visual option for those who want a more stylish or aesthetically pleasing driveway. It costs similar to what recycled asphalt costs, making it one of the cheaper options. Maintenance is the biggest problem ( though this can be solved stabilizing it with a plastic grid system). Loose crushed granite will need to be replenished quite frequently, which can be a hassle if you’re considering it as a potential driveway surface. 

6. Tar and Chip

A tar and chip driveway has a base layer of asphalt and aggregate, with bigger stones pressed into the surface of the asphalt. This is to achieve the durability required for a driveway to bear weight.

Tar and chip driveways can last up to 10 years without needing to be resealed. They lack aesthetic appeal, however, and can be rough on tires.

7. Loose Gravel

Loose gravel is one of the most popular rural driveway ideas. It’s by far the cheapest option, which is why it’s so commonly used. Loose gravel is easily eroded, however, and can pose dust problems as well. Ruts and mud holes are a common occurrence when dealing with loose gravel.

8. Grass Pavers

If you want a different kind of rural driveway, you could opt for grass pavers. Products like the TRUEGRID ROOT® system are made from plastic and simply snap into place right on top of grass. The grass grows up through the holes in the plastic grids and the pavers themselves are barely noticeable. 

This option is great because it’s incredibly cheap, yet maintenance-free and durable. Grass pavers are also permeable and will prevent any flooding issues with your driveway. 

9. Stabilized Gravel

Gravel that’s been stabilized with permeable plastic pavers is the best option when it comes to gravel driveways. Stabilized gravel gives you more stylistic versatility and makes your driveway more visible for added safety. 

These pavers are more durable than asphalt, cement, or concrete and they cost less. They also take around 24 hours or less to install and are just about the most eco-friendly driveway option you’ll find.

Rural Country Driveways Have Special Requirements

If you’re installing a long driveway on your property, you should know that not any driveway material will work. You need something that’s low-maintenance and durable, but stylistically diverse enough to look good too, like the TRUEGRID® PRO LITE system. 

All the options we’ve listed here are good, but grass pavers and stabilized gravel with plastic permeable pavers stand out as some of the best options thanks to their cost-effectiveness, fast install time, durability, aesthetic appeal, and eco-friendliness. 

Contact TRUEGRID today for a more reliable rural country driveway solution.