What Is The Best Membrane To Use Under Gravel?

To maintain the stability of your gravel, a high-quality geotextile membrane is recommended between the soil and gravel layers. This allows for proper water drainage while keeping the gravel firmly in place, regardless of traffic. Additionally, gravel membrane acts as a weed barrier, promoting a neat and tidy aesthetic in your outdoor space.

Does Weed Membrane Let Water Through?

Yes, weed-proof membranes are designed to be permeable, allowing nutrients and water to pass through while suppressing weed growth. They work well to keep weeds down, even persistent ones, and help prevent waterlogging by letting rainwater drain through to the soil underneath

Geotextile Membranes

What Are Geotextile Membranes?

Geotextile membranes are versatile sheets of fabric widely employed in civil engineering, landscaping, and drainage projects. They offer a range of benefits and can be broadly categorised into two main types: woven geotextile membranes and non-woven geotextile membranes. Both types are typically supplied in rolls of 4.5 metres in width and 100 metres in length, with the option of purchasing by the metre for smaller projects.

Woven and Non-Woven Options for Tailored Solutions

We offer two primary geotextile membranes to suit your specific project needs:

Woven Geotextile Membranes: These durable membranes, often constructed from 100% polypropylene or polyester, have a long history of successful use in civil engineering projects. They are less porous than non-woven geotextiles but have a higher tensile strength, meaning they can handle larger load capacities making them ideal for ground stabilisation and reinforcement projects but may not be as effective in drainage applications.
Non-woven Geotextile Membranes: These membranes are formed through thermal treatment or mechanical bonding, providing exceptional separation, filtration, and protection functions. They are particularly effective in applications where preventing soakaway or land drain clogging is critical.

What Can I Use Geotextile Membranes For?

Filtration: Geotextiles are ideal for areas requiring water passage while filtering out debris and larger soil particles. This helps maintain efficient drainage and prevents groundwater from rising, which could lead to flooding. Additionally, geotextiles can channel run-off and drainage water laterally towards designated watercourses or drainage pits.
Drainage: These membranes are instrumental in various drainage applications. Wrapping soakaway crates or land drains with geotextiles prevents silt and debris from entering the system, ensuring optimal performance and minimising the risk of blockages.
Protection: Geotextiles offer puncture resistance protection and act as a barrier against root intrusion, safeguarding young plants during their growth phase. They also suppress weed growth in the surrounding area, preventing competition for essential nutrients. Additionally, geotextiles can serve as a containment barrier for potentially harmful substances, reducing contamination risks.
Separation: Geotextiles are a valuable tool for separating distinct soil types, preventing them from intermixing. This is particularly crucial when separating a stable granular layer from less stable foundation soils. Without this separation, load-bearing capacity can be compromised, potentially leading to rutting and ground deformation.