The Importance of Granular Substrate with Interlock Paving

Interlock paving is one of the most versatile paving techniques available. Many qualities make it the ideal choice for paving. 

What's underneath the pavement is just as important as what's on top. Granular substrates help provide the strength associated with interlocking paving. Here are the benefits of granular substrates and some substrate options in paving.

What Do Substrates Do?

A substrate is a layer underneath the stones, concrete, and other materials that make up the pavement. Granular substrates are a type of substrate that is made of materials that come in grains or particles. When packed together, these materials can form a stable foundation.

Even though these materials can compact together, they still allow moisture to pass through the grains into the soil below. When water becomes trapped in substrates, it causes heaving, which is the expansion of a material. Heaving can destabilize the base, which in turn destabilizes the top layer. 

Sand as a Substrate in Paving

Sand is accessible and easy to maneuver. By itself, it doesn't function well as a substrate. Over time, sand shifts, which leads to an uneven foundation. 

Crushed stone is used to help with durability when sand is used as a base. Not all sand is ideal as a substrate base, however. Sand comes in many different qualities, which affects the quality. 

Crushed Stone

Crushed stone bases are most often composed of crushed rocks made of limestone, dolomite, granite, and trap rock. It works well as a substrate base because it drains water easily and is simple to work with. It is similar to sand in that it comes in different qualities. 

Recycled Concrete Aggregate

Recycled concrete aggregate has similar properties to crushed stone. However, the process of breaking down concrete into RCA is more environmentally friendly. The process has a smaller carbon output than making crushed stone. 

Since RCA is more environmentally friendly, it makes it a desirable, sustainable option. However, since concrete can be created from any type of rock mixture, there's no telling what kind of rocks comprise RCA. Since rocks have different qualities, this might not make RCA the best option as a substrate base. 

Paving Service in Ontario

One of the keys to excellent paving is having a good substrate base. Good substrate should help stabilize the top layer of pavement and prevent moisture from destabilizing it. Consult a local paving service to find out which substrate will be best for your paving project.

Metro Wide Paving provides excellent paving services in the Ontario area. We do asphalt driveways, concrete paving, interlock paving, and more. If you need paving done, think of Metro Wide and give us a call to set up an appointment.