A driveway is a valuable addition to any residential property and one many homeowners couldn't live without. As well as being a useful place to park your car and a space for your kids to play away from the road, your driveway will be most peoples' first impression of your home.
Practically speaking, your drive can help mitigate the risk of flooding, reducing runoff and directing water away from your front door or the road and back into the ground. Surfaces that do this are known as permeable driveways.
But how do they work, and how can you create one?
In this guide, we explore what makes a sustainable driveway and the eco-friendly materials you can use to ensure your drive offers functional and aesthetic benefits.
What is an eco driveway?
An eco-friendly driveway is a surface made from alternative materials to standard asphalt or concrete-poured driveways. It aims to reduce the environmental impact while offering a functional surface that improves curb appeal.
What are the key features of an eco-friendly driveway?
1. Improved water management
Permeable paving options let water filter through the gaps between the paving, reducing runoff and supporting groundwater recharge. Permeable surfaces help prevent flooding by allowing water to naturally drain back into the ground.
2. Reduced heat island effect
Urban areas are typically warmer than rural ones because of the way building materials absorb and re-emit heat. This is known as the heat island effect.
Eco-friendly materials, particularly natural paving, can reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than an asphalt or tarmac surface - lowering the heat island effect.
3. Lower carbon footprint
Using recycled, or locally sourced materials can lower one's carbon footprint, as they require less energy and resources for production and transportation.
Hot to create an eco-friendly driveway
Now we know what a sustainable driveway is, let's explore five ways you can create an eco-friendly surface.
1. Choose permeable paving
Permeable paving allows water to seep through gaps in the interlocking stones, reducing runoff and promoting groundwater recharge.
At Marshalls, we offer a wide range of permeable paving options, including Drivesett Tegula Priora, which comes in three timeless shades to suit homes of all styles.
2. Grass pavers
Choose grass pavers like our Grassguard Permeable Paving to maximise your home's green space. This combines the functional benefits of a permeable paving drainage system with a boost in eco-friendliness, letting you grow extra grass and supporting local ecosystems.
Grass pavers combine the functional strength of paving stones with the heat-reducing properties and natural benefits of grass, making them an excellent choice if you want more green space without sacrificing parking.
3. Soft landscaping
Soft landscaping, such as using grass and plants, helps create eco-friendly driveways by allowing rainwater to soak into the ground, reducing runoff and flooding. They can also support biodiversity and improve air quality, contributing to a healthier environment.
4. Eco-friendly cleaning
Long-term maintenance for a driveway can also benefit from eco-friendly decisions. Maintain your driveway using eco-friendly cleaning products will avoid harsh chemicals harming plants and wildlife.
5. Incorporate a drainage system
To ensure proper water management on your driveway, water runoff measures must be included. Whether this is a linear drainage solution or a channel that directs water to a grid, reducing standing water is important.
Our patented Driveline Drain, for example, is designed to limit surface water and the risk of flooding by giving rainwater somewhere to collect and run into larger drainage systems.
What are the environmental benefits of creating an eco-friendly driveway?
Creating an eco-friendly driveway contributes to the sustainability and functionality of our home and wider residential areas, with the key environmental benefits including:
- Reducing runoff and erosion: Eco-friendly driveways, particularly those made with permeable materials, allow rainwater to infiltrate the ground rather than run off the surface. This helps prevent soil erosion, reduces the burden on stormwater systems and minimising flooding risks
- Supporting natural water recharge: By facilitating the natural percolation of water, these driveways help replenish underground aquifers, which is essential for maintaining local ecosystems and water resources.
- Lowering heat island effect: Many sustainable driveway materials are designed to reflect sunlight better than traditional asphalt or concrete, which can absorb and retain heat. This contributes to cooler urban environments and mitigates the heat island effect.
- Improved water quality: Eco-friendly driveways can improve water quality in nearby streams and rivers by reducing runoff and filtering pollutants.
- Enhanced biodiversity: Eco-friendly driveways let water and organisms pass through, promoting healthier ecosystems and supporting local biodiversity around residential areas.
Additional benefits to eco-friendly driveways
As well as the positive impact on the environment, an eco-friendly material driveway can have the following advantages:
- Long-term cost savings: Although the initial installation cost may be higher for eco-friendly options, their durability and low maintenance requirements can lead to significant savings over time. For instance, permeable concrete has a longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs compared to traditional asphalt driveways
- Aesthetic appeal: Sustainable driveways can enhance the visual appeal of a property. Options like grass driveways or decorative permeable pavers can blend seamlessly with the landscape, adding to the overall curb appeal
- Safety features: Permeable driveways can prevent puddles from forming, reducing slip hazards. They also help keep surfaces cooler in summer, making them safer for both vehicles and pedestrians.
More from Marshalls
Now that you're fully clued up on what an eco driveway is and how to improve water runoff, explore more tips in our How to Stop Your Garden Flooding When it Rains guide.
If you're thinking of renovating your driveway, discover our block paving patterns and designs for advice.
We've plenty of driveway ideas and inspiration to get your creative juices flowing, too. So, if you're wondering what type of driveway is best for your home or want cost-effective driveway ideas, we can help.
Remember, to see what our driveway products could look like in your home, you can use our Outdoor Reality App. Using augmented reality, you can find the perfect block paving, cobbles and setts for your home without having to order samples.
Better yet, our app even measures your space, so there's no need to worry about ordering too much.
