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Permeable paving - stormwater management solutions
Managing stormwater runoff around your property is an important and responsible action to take - especially with the increase of intensified urbanisation over recent decades. Reducing the impact on our stormwater infrastructure during severe weather events and allowing natural aquifers to recharge can be achieved in several different ways under council unitary plans. The most practical option for medium-to-high-density environments is an engineered permeable paving system which reduces the need for other retention structures such as ponds, swales, and sumps.
Permeable paving creates a hardscape that allows water to flow through the enlarged gaps between the pavers (like the Firth Holland 80 FlowPave) or through an open paver design (like Firth Grass pavers) into an engineered drainage or retention system below.
As water passes through the pavers, base course, and sub-base materials, there are two main benefits: the rate at which runoff enters our stormwater systems is greatly slowed, reducing the chances of them being completely overwhelmed, creating localised flooding problems. The second is the quality of the runoff water is greatly improved through filtering and sedimentation of any pollutants, so they are not discharging into streams and coastal waters causing erosion problems.
For effective stormwater management, a permeable paving system must be installed and correctly designed/engineered by a suitably qualified person.
Firth Pavers
Firth’s EcoPave range offers an extensive choice of permeable pavers. Available in a variety of styles, colours, and specific uses, they help manage stormwater flows around your property while creating practical and good-looking hardscapes that will last for years.
Horizon Pavers
Horizon’s Wai Pave permeable pavers offer an innovative solution to managing stormwater. Rainwater can pass through the pavers at a rate of 660mm per hour with zero runoff.
Permeable Paving
PAVING SIZES & COVERAGE
Permeable Paving Inspiration
More information on our range of Permeable Paving options
Firth Paving
Firth Gobi® Block
Firth Gobi® Block is a robust paver that’s ideal for high traction requirements where a semi-grassed look is desired, such as hardstands for boats and caravans, sloping driveways, and access tracks. The open design allows grass to grow through for a more natural-looking surface while allowing water to drain into natural aquifers.
Size | 200 x 200 x 100mm | |||||
Pavers per square metre | 25 | |||||
Application | Driveways, tracks, and hardstands | |||||
Permeability Rate | Subject to soil and grass types | |||||
Strength | 15 k/n (250mm span) | |||||
Available colours | Natural |
Firth Grass Paver
If you want to maintain a grass look, but have the underlying strength of a paved surface, then Firth Grass Pavers are the ideal solution. Their wide openings allow a good amount of grass to grow through and water to filter through to drainage.
Size | 400 x 400 x 80mm | |||||
Pavers per square metre | 6.25 | |||||
Application | Hardstands, light car parking, and walkways | |||||
Permeability Rate | Subject to soil and grass types | |||||
Strength | 12 k/n (250mm span) | |||||
Available colours | Natural |
Firth Patio Paver
These stylish square pavers have enlarged nibs to create gaps and enable stormwater to drain efficiently. This paver is available with two finish options: honed (premium semi-polished) and fair face (standard higher-tractions finish). This paver is available in the North Island only and needs to be laid by an accredited paver.
Size | 300 x 300 x 50mm | |||||
Pavers per square metre | 11.11 | |||||
Application | Patios and walkways | |||||
Permeability Rate | 1800mm/hour | |||||
Strength | 7.8 k/n (250mm span) | |||||
Finish | Honed or smooth finish | |||||
Available colours | Natural, Black Sands |
Firth Holland® 80 FlowPave
A variant of the popular Firth Holland paver but with enlarged edge nibs for high permeability rates, the Firth Holland 80 FlowPave is ideal for driveways, paths, and areas where water run-off control is needed. This product uses chip for both bedding and jointing material (not sand).
Size | 100 x 200 x 80mm | |||||
Pavers per square metre | 50 | |||||
Application | Driveways, patios, car parks, and walkways | |||||
Permeability Rate | 18,000mm+/hour | |||||
Strength | 12 k/n (250mm span) | |||||
Finish | Smooth finish | |||||
Available colours | Natural, Black Sands, Stormy Sunset |
Firth Holland® 80 FlowPave Set
A variant of the popular Firth Holland paver but with enlarged nibs for high permeability rates and a halved face for a traditional street cobble effect, the Firth Holland 80 FlowPave Set is ideal for driveways, paths, and areas where run-off control is needed. This product uses chip for both bedding and jointing materials (not sand).
Size | 100 x 200 x 80mm | |||||
Pavers per square metre | 50 | |||||
Application | Driveways, patios, courtyards, and walkways | |||||
Permeability Rate | 18,000mm+/hour | |||||
Strength | 12 k/n (250mm span) | |||||
Finish | Smooth finish | |||||
Available colours | Natural, Black Sands |
Firth Holland® PorousPave
The Firth Holland PorousPave has a high traction surface and standard edge nibs giving a patio or path a more seamless look while helping to manage water run-off. Unlike other EcoPave products the water can pass directly through the paver due to the specially designed no-fines concrete formulation giving it an open aggregate matrix (similar to a sponge).
Size | 100 x 200 x 80mm | |||||
Pavers per square metre | 50 | |||||
Application | Driveways, patios, and walkways | |||||
Permeability Rate | 1200mm/hour | |||||
Strength | 10 k/n (250mm span) | |||||
Finish | Smooth finish | |||||
Available colours | Natural, Black Sands |
Horizon Paving
Horizon WaiPave
WaiPave is a sustainable answer to water runoff made from recycled porcelain floor tiles. Rainwater can pass through WaiPavers at a rate of up to 660mm/hour with zero runoff. Colourfast and strong, WaiPave is a circular solution for the environment.
Size |
600 x 300 x 55mm | 5.55 pavers per square metre 400 x 400 x 55mm | 6.25 pavers per square metre 200 x 100 x 55mm | 50 pavers per square metre |
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Application | Driveways, patios, and walkways | |||||
Permeability Rate | 600mm/hour | |||||
Finish | Smooth finish | |||||
Available colours | Black, Grey, Off White | |||||
Recycled | 97% recycled porcelain floor tiles |
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