Are you wanting to create a new driveway but struggling to find the best materials? Building the perfect driveway for your vehicles can be difficult. Materials and installation specialists can be costly and inefficient. With BaseCore geocell, you can customize your driveway while saving money, time, and materials!
What is BaseCore Geocell?
BaseCore geocell is made of high density polyethylene HDPE that is designed to support a wide range of load weights. Due to its structure and material, geocell is heavy-duty and has high load-bearing capacity.
BaseCore geocell’s honeycomb structure evenly distributes pressure from applied loads, on the lateral axis throughout the surface. This prevents cracking and erosion. Geocell is made to add support to infill material, allowing homeowners to customize their driveway while maximizing support and structure.
Geocell also provides structure to sloped areas. Angled driveways are common and BaseCore geocell provides slope protection to allow water to run off while anchoring the infill.
BaseCore supplies a wide range of geocell cell depth between 2 inches and 8 inches deep. Taller geocell is preferable for driveways that support heavier loads such as trailers, RVs, and work trucks. Higher cell walls act as foundation reinforcement retaining walls to provide extra strength.
Shorter geocell caters to smaller, more standard vehicles such as SUVs and sedans. Unlike geocell, other internal structural materials cannot withstand heavy loads. Reducing the thickness of the geocell allows you to have a shallower base. This is helpful in areas you might not be able to dig.
Geocell vs. Geogrid
Geocell and geogrid are the most commonly used internal structural materials, but geocell is a far better solution. Geogrid can be made of polypropylene, polyester, and high-density polyethylene.
Although it is made from similar materials to geocell, geogrid is a two dimensional mesh. Geogrid is commonly used for surface reinforcement and separation of materials. Geocell is three dimensional which allows for both internal and surface reinforcement. Because geogrid rests on the surface, it is visible and can make a driveway look industrial and incomplete.
What are Other Driveway Construction Materials?
Driveways can be made from many different materials depending on what you are looking for. Due to their nature, when these materials are installed without internal structure, the changes of weather and stress damage are high. Asphalt, concrete, dirt, and many others require installation specialists, costly materials, and routine maintenance.
Asphalt
Asphalt is commonly used in driveways and roadways, but is also very easily cracked and damaged. Although asphalt is cheap and easy to install, it is temporary and requires excessive maintenance.
Due to its impermeable design, asphalt is unable to drain moisture. This causes pooling which can be dangerous in colder areas. Excess water can sneak between tiny cracks in the asphalt and freeze, creating larger cracks that turn into potholes. Water on the surface can also cause ice which is hazardous to both your family and your vehicles.
Asphalt is also unfavorable because it requires sub-base installation. The most common sub-base for asphalt is limestone which is installed below the surface for added support. This means you will need to purchase more materials and hire more specialists to dig deeper. Driveways are often built over wifi, electricity, and plumbing which can be difficult to navigate.
Once your specialists have installed your asphalt driveway, you will need to wait before you can use your new parking area. Asphalt requires a minimum settlement time of three days before usage, so it can set and distribute itself evenly.
Asphalt does not have a high tensile strength, meaning it cannot support very heavy loads. It is important to let asphalt settle because uneven pressure on unsettled asphalt can cause cracking and shifting from stress.
Concrete
Concrete is commonly used in residential and commercial driveways, and parking areas. Concrete is similar to asphalt in that it is subject to weather damage, and requires a settlement time. Concrete is impermeable, even more so than asphalt, which causes pooling and cracking over time.
Concrete can be quite costly because it is expensive, requires a team of specialists, and requires a sub base. Similar to asphalt, concrete requires a sub base made from gravel that is installed over the sub grade. This requires a lot of digging and purchasing many different materials. Concrete requires a team of installation professionals which is expensive and can be disruptive to your neighborhood environment.
Concrete also requires a settlement time of 28 days, meaning your family will need somewhere else to park your vehicles. Like asphalt, concrete can shift and crack under pressure, which is why the settlement time is necessary.
Gravel
Gravel is another driveway material option, more commonly used in residential areas due to its low durability and high maintenance requirements. Without added support, gravel can easily shift and crumble under heavy loads, making it a bad option for vehicle storage.
Although it cannot support heavy loads, gravel is a good option for colder climates because it allows excess water to drain. Space between individual gravel pieces allows water to pass through easily, and can freeze without cracking. Because it is loosely packed, gravel can easily wash away in heavy storms, and can be eroded from frequent vehicle traffic.
Gravel is cheaper than other pavement options because it does not require a sub-base or a team of specialists. Since it is not very durable and is easily eroded, gravel needs to be resealed every two to three years. Gravel has a settlement time of seven days which is required after every reseal.
Dirt and soil
Dirt and soil are arguably the worst options for your driveway because they are easily washed away, weak, and very messy. Dirt is highly susceptible to weather because it can easily wash away in heavy storms, and can blow away in wind. Rainfall can create mud in your driveway which is a pain to navigate around, and can be tracked into your house.
Although dirt is cheap and easy to install, it is not durable and is more of a short term parking option. Medium to heavy loads can create indents in soil and cause erosion, requiring you to replenish your driveway frequently. Indented areas can cause uneven weight distribution in your vehicles that could lead to damage. Dirt is best used as a temporary parking material, preferably during dry weather.
What is a BaseCore Geocell Driveway?
BaseCore geocell is the best material for any driveway because it is cost effective, easily installed, and very durable. BaseCore geocell allows for homeowners and business owners to create a perfectly landscaped driveway with the necessary support for their vehicles.
BaseCore geocell is very cost effective because it is long lasting and can be filled with any infill you want! BaseCore geocell uses a cellular confinement system to hold infill material in place even through heavy weather systems. Because geocell holds materials in place, you do not need to replenish your driveway’s infill.
Infill materials include granular materials such as soil, gravel, crushed rock, and sand. Permeable pavers work best with geocell because of geogell’s structure that allows water to pass through easily. Geocell is also able to expand and contract around ice in freezing temperatures which allows for safe walking and driving.
Driveway infill materials depend on the weight of your vehicles. For larger vehicles, larger infill materials are preferred because they provide more support.
BaseCore geocell is also preferred because it does not require a team of installation specialists. Your new BaseCore geocell driveway can be easily installed in a day, with help from the team you have at home. BaseCore geocell can be placed closer to the surface than any other driveway material, cutting your necessary dig depth by 33%. This will shorten your installation process and protect underground cables.
BaseCore geocell is also best for your driveway because it is durable and very long lasting. Its lifespan is 75+ years and it lasts through all types of weather. Because it is made of high quality geosynthetic material, BaseCore geocell will not dissolve under your driveway. This makes for a low-maintenance driveway that you will enjoy for many years.
Ready to Build your Custom BaseCore Geocell Driveway?
If you are ready to build your very own BaseCore geocell driveway, our team of BaseCore experts is here to help! We provide consultations to help you find the best geocell for your vehicles. You can access our FAQ page or contact us directly at (888)511-1553
BaseCore proudly supplies businesses and homeowners with industry-leading geocell materials. We look forward to helping you create your perfect driveway!