GraniteCrete
About GraniteCrete
Applications & Beneifts
Installation
What is GraniteCrete?
GraniteCrete paths and walkways have the look and feel of a crushed organic surface. The pathways are porous, environmentally friendly, and naturally low maintenance. Available in six organic colors – custom colors are available as well.
Sustainable
- GraniteCrete can be mixed with existing surrounding native soils!
- Manufactured using pre and post-consumer recycled materials
- No oils, resins, polymers, or enzymes to leach into the environment
- Contributes 13 LEED points as a stand-alone product
- Solar Reflectance Index (SRI): 48
ADA Compliant and Permeable
- Exceeds ADA compliance
- Firm, stable, and slip-resistant
- Smooth enough for ambulatory devices, yet slip-resistant
- Meets coefficient of friction standards
- Permeability reduces standing water
Environmental & Financial benefits
- Reduces the need for some conventional drainage features, such as curbs and gutters
- Lower installation costs, since underground piping and storm drains are not needed
- Reduced water-usage costs, since surrounding plants can benefit from the replenished groundwater
- Reduces storm water runoff rate and volume
- Reduces water pollution by trapping pollutants in the pavement
- Replenishes groundwater, which can in turn be used by plants surrounding the pavement
- Reduces surface temperatures since permeable pavement doesn’t produce a “heat island”
- GraniteCrete can be mixed with existing surrounding native soils!
- Manufactured using pre and post-consumer recycled materials
- No oils, resins, polymers, or enzymes to leach into the environment
Applications
Paths & Walkways
Driveways
Golf Cart Paths
Benefits of GraniteCrete
Clients have some important factors to consider when it comes to path and roadways:
- For driveways, roadways, or cart paths, is the material durable enough to bear the weight and movement of a vehicle?
- Is the finished product going to be attractive and complement the home and surrounding landscape?
- Will it be susceptible to annoyances common with traditional paving options, such as surface puddling or weeds poking through?
Finding a solution that fits all these criteria can be challenging. Fortunately, one doesn’t need to look further than GraniteCrete paving material.
Durability
GraniteCrete is an average of 3.5 – 4.5 times stronger in compression than what is required to withstand the surface pressure exerted by a heavy vehicle, such as a fire truck. Outside of laboratory testing, GraniteCrete’s durability has been put to the test at UC Santa Cruz: A crane with ballast weighing 95,000 pounds traveled down a GraniteCrete pathway to its staging area. Two wheels were on the surrounding dirt and two wheels were on the GraniteCrete, for a total of 47,500 moving pounds on the GraniteCrete at one time. Despite this heavy load, the GraniteCrete bore the weight without failing!
Aesthetics
GraniteCrete is available in five standard earth-tone colors, as well as custom colors, allowing it to blend in with nearly any surrounding landscape. This also allows it to easily complement other landscaping elements, such as stone and wood.
Common Annoyances
Since GraniteCrete is porous, water won’t stay on the surface – meaning homeowners can say “goodbye” to having to choose between dodging puddles or getting their shoes wet after rainfall. Despite its permeability, GraniteCrete deters weed growth as a naturally weed- (and gopher!) resistant product. Although it’s common to see greenery poking through pavement, that won’t happen with GraniteCrete.
Other Benefits
While a GraniteCrete driveway is a winning solution for the homeowner, it also benefits the surrounding community. Due to its high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) value, it helps combat the Urban Heat Island Effect; this can lead to reduced energy costs, air pollution levels, and heat-related illnesses – now that’s cool!
Create Sustainable, Permeable, and Durable Pathways
Have a project that requires a permeable solution for footpaths or trails? GraniteCrete is the perfect product for outdoor path and trail applications and durable enough for cart paths, roadways, and driveways.
GraniteCrete Installation
Residential Installation
GraniteCrete residential installation requires the following equipment.
- (3) Rounded point or flat edge shovels for moving product
- 6 cubic foot cement mixer for mixing small installations
- Wheelbarrow for moving material
- Vibratory plate for base rock compaction ONLY
- 36” roller (static position) for GraniteCrete compaction
- 8” or 10” hand-tamps for compacting edges and corners, step back fills, and small areas
- Hose with a shower spray nozzle for moistening dry product
- Landscape and asphalt rake with flat edge for finish grading
- (2-3) steel garden rakes for mixing moisture throughout product
- Heavy lawn roller filled with water to compact
- Medium bristled push broom for finishing
- (2-3) 6″-9″ wooden masonry float for finishing
- (1) 6″-9″ steel float for cleaning hand tamp and roller
View installation instructions here.
Commercial Installation
Options for Mixing GraniteCrete with Decomposed Granite
There are three primary methods for mixing GraniteCrete with decomposed granite when installing GraniteCrete. The best method to use depends on the size of the installation.
Based on our experience, we recommend the following methods for the following installation sizes:
- For installations up to 500 square feet, we recommend mixing GraniteCrete and decomposed granite onsite using a portable concrete mixer, preferably with a fiberglass drum for easy cleaning.
- For installations ranging from 501 square feet to 3,000 square feet, we recommend the use of pre-mixed (and dry) decomposed granite and GraniteCrete admixture; pre-mixed material can be purchased from 3n1 Trinity, LLC. The pre-mixed material will arrive DRY and will need water added for proper installation of GraniteCrete.Or, the decomposed granite and GraniteCrete can be ordered UNmixed and delivered to the installation site, where a volumetric truck can be used to mix the decomposed granite, GraniteCrete, and water.
- For installations 3,001 square feet and larger, we recommend the use of a volumetric truck. A volumetric mixer has separate areas for decomposed granite, GraniteCrete admixture, and water. It is able to mix these materials together at the job site to produce GraniteCrete ready to install, saving valuable time.
Whatever the method, it is important the the GraniteCrete admixture and the decomposed granite be mixed evenly. For guidance on mixing or installing GraniteCrete, refer to our installation instructions or contact 3n1 Trinity, LLC.
