Contents
Before laying garden paths, the prepared area is covered with a layer of geotextile. Its key function is to prevent sand from mixing with the soil, as well as protection from the growth of weeds. From the article you will learn which geotextile to use for garden paths, and whether it is possible to completely abandon the geotextile.
Canvas Advantages
Geotextiles under the garden path are covered for the following purposes:
- Prevention of deformation of the structure. Without geotextiles, the path shrinks over time, concrete, sand and gravel push through the soil.
- Prevention of weed germination. Roots and pagons are not able to break through the geotextile, even if we are talking about large trees growing on the land near the garden path.
- Reduces soil erosion. High-quality geofabric acts as a windscreen, and at the same time does not transmit ultraviolet light.
- Isolates sand and gravel from the ground. This will help to avoid shrinkage even with significant static loads on the structure.
- Protects the track when the soil is heaving. This is true for regions with a high occurrence of groundwater. Geotextile in this case acts as a leveling deformation layer.
In addition, geotextiles greatly simplifies minor repairs on the paths, as it allows you to quickly lay a corrugation under them for laying an electric cable, water pipes, etc. And with all this, the canvas is cheap: the average price per square meter is from 40 to 100 rubles.
And you need to understand that geotextiles are not a replacement for a sand cushion. It is a soil strengthening agent. Be sure to use in areas located on a slope.
Video “Geotextile for a garden path”
From this video you will learn which geotextile is best to use for a garden path.
Criterias of choice
There are the following main types of geotextiles for garden paths:
- Polyester. Cheap, it is acceptable to use in the installation of drainage systems, under the blind area of a private house, etc. Their only drawback is their low resistance to acidic and alkaline environments, various kinds of chemicals. The average service life is from 5 to 10 years.
- Polypropylene. It is synthetic, therefore it is not subject to rotting, fungal attack. It passes moisture well, suitable for garden paths, which are also a drainage layer.
- Multicomponent. Sometimes it is called “secondary”, as it is made from recycled materials, similar to textile production waste. Its device is porous, uneven, so it is considered the worst option, but it is very cheap. For garden paths it is not recommended to use.
- Fiberglass. It is not a geofabric in the direct sense. This is a mixture of fiber fibers with sand, which are poured between the ground and the track itself. This design is expensive, but it is also the most reliable – it protects 100% from mixing layers.
Accordingly, polyester and polypropylene geotextiles are most often laid. Fiberglass is recommended to be used only in the case of groundwater very close to the surface, when in the spring at the site or in the country their level exceeds the soil boundary.
Which one is better in terms of density? This parameter is indicated in grams per square meter. In most cases, geotextiles with a density of 42 to 400 g / m² are found. It is for garden paths that it is needed with values of 100–200 g / m². A denser one will not let moisture through, and with a value of up to 100 g / m² it belongs to the category of agrofiber – it is used in the arrangement of greenhouses, greenhouses or to protect seeds from birds.
How to work with material
The geofabric is laid only on a flat, smooth surface, cleared of roots and debris. Experts recommend laying it only on a layer of fine gravel or pebbles, but if laid directly on the ground, then only in 2 or 3 layers. And at the same time, be sure to take it with a margin of 5–10 cm, since the fabric is slightly deformed on the backfill, taking the shape of the surface underneath.
The optimal level of geotextile laying is from 35 to 40 cm. From above it is covered with fine-grained river sand, preferably washed. Then all this is rammed or simply stands for 3-4 days, and then the garden path itself is mounted.
Without geotextiles, in principle, it is also possible to mount garden paths. But in this case, their service life is reduced to only 3–5 years, after which cracks appear, weeds begin to sprout, soil swells form along the edges of the path.
Therefore, laying geotextile is a cheap way to preserve the original appearance of the structure for decades.
Author: Svetlana Golitsina
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