Permeable or Pervious Paving in Green Building

Use of Porous Paving in Green Homes 

Permeable paving, pervious paving, and porous paving are terms used to describe paving methods for roads, alleys,, driveways, and sidewalks or other walkways that allow the movement of water and air through the paving material. They have more pervious area than traditional asphalt and poured concrete pavement. They are a definite component of green building.

This pervious area allows rainwater to (locally) permeate the soil which:

• Decreases the amount of runoff by up to 90%.

• Facilitates ground water recharge.

• Helps control yard erosion on hilly lots.

• Helps control creekbank erosion on creek lots.

• Helps create a beautifully landscaped yard and neighborhood.

In green new homes and suburbs, porous pavements protect natural watersheds from destruction. In green remodeling of older homes and built-out areas, replacing impervious paving with porous solutions rehabilitates the home and neighborhood and area environments.