Permeable Concrete in Commercial Spaces: Benefits for Parking Lots and Walkways

There’s a growing demand for sustainable infrastructure in New Zealand’s commercial spaces. As we learn more about our impact on the world around us, it’s our responsibility to invest in green practices that protect our environment to promote a healthier world. It’s essential to discover green practices that are both eco-friendly and high-quality. 

This is where permeable concrete can really benefit your commercial space. This innovative concrete solution is ideal for areas like parking lots, walkways, public areas and high-traffic areas. By placing permeable concrete for your hardstand areas, you may be able to increase buildable area and extend the footprint of warehouses or shopping centres, which then achieves a higher return on your investment. This approach has been used with great success by many of our clients over the last year.

Permeable concrete is a practical and sustainable option for commercial spaces in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Wellington, and other parts of New Zealand. This concrete combines durability and aesthetics while having a strong focus on the environment. 

What Is Permeable Concrete? A Modern Alternative To Traditional Concrete

Permeable concrete is a type of concrete that contains around 20% of interconnected voids, allowing water to flow through. It has the strength and general aesthetics of concrete, but it’s permeable, and water can flow through it rather than building up on the surface. 

Permeable concrete is made of the regular components of traditional concrete, but it leaves out a key ingredient – sand. Sand usually fills the gaps between coarse aggregates in concrete, resulting in a solid, impermeable structure. When sand isn’t used, the concrete has interconnected voids through which water can flow. One peripheral benefit of this design approach is that AquaPave products don’t require sand mining, which supports the preservation of New Zealand’s gorgeous beaches.

It’s essential to note that the interconnected voids in the concrete do not make the overall structure weak. The permeable concrete we offer at AquaPave is still a strong, dependable solution for public spaces and high-traffic areas, and it can be designed to withstand heavy vehicular traffic. 

We at AquaPave care deeply about the environment, and we’d be thrilled to help you choose the right permeable concrete options for your commercial space. We can offer you:

• Considerations For Local Conditions. Along with thinking about your needs, such as budget and style preferences, we will also look at your subgrade itself to design a system with as little excavation as possible, and determine appropriate choices for your commercial space. 
• Design Consulting. Permeable pavement is an innovative, modern solution that can do so much for residential and commercial properties. However, to make the most of your permeable concrete, thoughtful design is a must. We offer professional design consulting and stormwater modelling, because we know every client and property is unique.
• Colour And Finish Options. When most people think of concrete, they imagine grey slabs. However, we know that appearance is a big part of making a great impression on your customers, so we offer a range of colours and aggregate sizes to really spruce up your space.

How Permeable Concrete Can Benefit NZ Commercial Spaces

How exactly can your business benefit from these innovative concrete solutions?

• Increased Buildable Area. Permeable concrete is a fantastic option for increasing your return on investment by allowing you to build more structures. When it rains, the water won’t build up on the surface of your walkways, car parks, and other traditional hardstand areas, thereby contributing to impermeable area limits – it will simply flow through like landscaped gardens. Our concrete captures and filters rainwater, allowing clean rain water to naturally return to groundwater reserves. 
• Pollution Reduction. When water passes through the concrete, contaminants like motor oil, heavy metals, and other particles are filtered out. This process helps to prevent these contaminants from entering local waterways, supporting a healthier world for everyone.
• Improved Reputation. Many Kiwis care about the environment and wish to support companies that feel the same way. When you make eco-friendly choices, you act on reputable values, and attract like-minded customers.
• Durability. Permeable concrete is highly durable and very robust, which is perfect for setting up a commercial property that’s built to last. This concrete is suitable for car parks, footpaths, and other areas that are used extensively by people and vehicles. Rather than worrying about resurfacing your high-traffic asphalt areas, you can have peace of mind knowing that concreting those spaces will keep them strong and visually pleasing for years. 
• Improved Aesthetics. Along with the array of colours and finishes for your concrete that we’ve mentioned above, well-installed permeable pavement can create a clean and functional space for pedestrians and vehicles. Polished permeable concrete has a modern look, eliminating unsightly runoff issues while providing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Plus, you can choose colours that compliment your branding or the appearance of your building. 
• Optimised Space Efficiency. With better stormwater management, you won’t have to stress about the need for larger retention ponds. This frees up valuable space for other uses, like additional buildings, extended car parks, or more native gardens. 
• Cost Efficiency. Permeable concrete surfaces serve as both pavement and stormwater management solutions, reducing infrastructure costs. Additionally, because of its durability, longevity, and low maintenance requirements, you won’t have to invest as much time and money into keeping your space beautiful. 

Investing In Green Practices And Long-Lasting Solutions In New Zealand

Overall, permeable concrete is a fantastic step towards a more sustainable future. Do you think permeable concrete would be a good fit for your NZ commercial space? If so, we at AquaPave are here to help. 

If you’d like to get the process started, or if you still have questions about permeable concrete, our team is always here to discuss your project. You can call us on 022 425 4906 or use our contact page to get in touch.

AquaPave: Let’s pave the way towards better, more sustainable solutions for your business.