Project Brief: Replace displaced and hazardous concrete slabs with a durable, safe, non-slip and flexible Soft Gravel Pathway
Total Project Area: 42m²
Product Used: Gold/Black Soft Gravel
About The Project
A local school was facing a significant safety hazard. The existing pathway from the staff car park to the school’s main entrance had become dangerous due to the uneven and displaced concrete slabs, which had worsened due to the surrounding tree roots. Concerned about the increasing risk of trips and falls, the school was exploring options for replacement, initially considering concrete or tarmac.
Jim from Greener Places, instead recommended Soft Gravel as the perfect solution for the school’s needs. Unlike rigid materials such as concrete, Soft Gravel is flexible, permeable and non-slip which would be ideal for their pathway, ensuring the safety of users and being less likely to fail due to tree root related ground movement.
The Soft Gravel Installation
The Greener Places team began the project by excavating the old concrete pathway. Now with a blank canvas, the team began the installation by preparing a strong hardcore sub-base to ensure the above Soft Gravel surface was sufficiently supported. Once the preparation work was completed, the team could begin laying the new gravel and rubber pathway.
The team combined PERMABOUND SG resin binder, two bags of specialist stone and two bags of SBR rubber in a forced action mixer to create a batch of soft gravel. The mixed material was then transferred to the installation area before being hand-trowelled into place using specialist resin bound trowels. Hand trowelling is incredibly important in ensuring you achieve a compact and smooth finish to any Soft Gravel surface. This process was repeated by the team until the path was complete.
The Outcome
The installation was seamless and the result was a visually appealing and practical pathway which will stand the test of time, perfect for the high foot traffic it will experience. The new surface not only solved the safety issues but also enhanced the overall aesthetic of the school’s outdoor environment.
A huge thank you to Greener Places and the local School for sending us the photos and details of their project to create this wonderful case study! We are pleased to have played a part in this installation and delighted that Soft Gravel worked perfectly for their application!
For more information on Soft Gravel and other resin bond surfacing solutions or to request a quote for an upcoming project, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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