What is the most environmentally-sound paving? - The environment and paving

[Ted]

A friend of mine is building a "Eco-House".

As I have a little bit of experience in driveway construction he has asked me for my views on what type of driveway he should build...

I have heard of some things such as Geocrete but am not really sure if they are very green. So my suggestion was either simply compacted hardcore or locally sourced gravel.

He does not like the hardcore idea!

So can some experts give me advice? What in your view is the most environmentally friendly driveway/paving surface and why?

In fact, some kind of ranking would be good as he builds these houses for clients and some may not want the most environmentally sound surfacing but will want to know how "green" other driveway surfaces are...

Thank you.

[lutonlagerlout]

look here
regards tony

[Ted]

Thanks for that Tony.

I have come across this sort of surfacing before (when I mentioned Geocrete I actually meant Grasscrete).

But do you think that this system is any "greener" than putting down some locally sourced gravel?

After all, the surface is reinforced with with either pre-cast concrete or plastics. Concrete and plastics are both polluting and have to be produced in a factory, potentially many miles from site.

Also, I think these products are not suitable for a turning circle or for access to a front door. After heavy rainfall water may take time to drain meaning the householder may get wet muddy feet when unloading the shopping in the rain.

I do think it may well be a good surface for the drive approach to the house though. But how "green" is it?

I think that a broom finished concrete drive may actually be quite suitable as if laid properly it should last a very long time.

Has anyone tried incorporating lime into a driveway?

[slickboy]

If you use the principle of 'embodied energy' as your yardstick (the idea that the measure of how green something is takes into account all the energy used to produce, manufacture, and transport it to site) then a locally sourced recalimed paving stone, such as Yorkstone, laid on a lime mortar (better tthan cement) using locally quarried sand on a reclaimed hardcore bed would probbably be one of the greenest (and more practical!) applications. Hope this helps.

[Ted]

If you use the principle of 'embodied energy' as your yardstick (the idea that the measure of how green something is takes into account all the energy used to produce, manufacture, and transport it to site) then a locally sourced recalimed paving stone, such as Yorkstone, laid on a lime mortar (better tthan cement) using locally quarried sand on a reclaimed hardcore bed would probbably be one of the greenest (and more practical!) applications. Hope this helps.

That does sound fairly "green" IMO, assuming one can find some nice reclaimed stone somewhere.

Assuming one cannot find any reclaimed products though, do you still think laying stone slabs is the "greenest"? What about gravel? What about pouring a lime-based driveway instead of a cement-based driveway?

[lutonlagerlout]

i have done a number of "vernacular skills " courses ,a big part of which is using lime,basically lime is good for walls cos it is flexible but it just doesnt have the compressive stregth for driveways
i think local shingle is best and is easiest to maintain
btw you can now buy hemp blocks which are made from hemp,lime and clay,these are very green and obviously expensive but are made from weed,lime and mud all from around the hemel area
i know matthews are making them,your friend can also use natural insulation i think a place called "old house stores" does it things like duck feathers stuff like that
site is here
hope this helps
cheers tony

[Stuarty]

I did some work on a couple of eco-friendly houses, and they did not have a drive. I asked the developer about why he didnt put drives in, and he told me "Why would someone who wants to live a green lifestyle have an environmentally unfriendly method of transport?".

[Ted]

I did some work on a couple of eco-friendly houses, and they did not have a drive. I asked the developer about why he didnt put drives in, and he told me "Why would someone who wants to live a green lifestyle have an environmentally unfriendly method of transport?".

I thought that as well. Maybe they will have one of those Toyota Prius cars? More likely, they will have a gas guzzling Range Rover if they can afford an eco-house!

[danensis]

It may be worth contacting the Centre for Alternative Technology http://www.cat.org.uk/index.tmpl

What about contacting the local council for broken paving stones and laying them on lime mortar or roman cement?

John

[Ted]

CAT is a good idea.

The council may well be a good source for broken slabs but I don't know if they are going to provide the "wow" factor needed for a show home. I doubt the council will have much Yorkstone or whatever that it wants to get rid of.

Lime mortar sounds interesting and a good idea. Can you expand on Roman cement though? What is it exactly? Any links?

Cheers, Ted