Tired of seeing over and over again those old, drab concrete driveway? You can quit your uninspired landscaping every time you pull into your home when considering giving your property a green-tech upgrade.
Not only will this make your home more aesthetically pleasing, but it can also significantly reduce your environmental impact.
As you read, explore the benefits of green-tech solutions for concrete driveways and landscaping. Also, learn tips for implementing them in your Chicago concrete driveway.
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Concrete Driveways and Landscaping
While traditional concrete and epoxy concrete sealants make walkways and driveways look solid and attractive, they can still make it hard to control water and keep heat in urban areas. Also, making them takes a lot of energy, increasing carbon dioxide in the air.
Fortunately, you can mitigate these problems with green technology, such as permeable or porous concrete, no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and rain gardens.
Green-Tech Solutions for Concrete Driveways and Landscaping
Here are the options we mentioned earlier to reduce the environmental impact of your concrete driveway and landscaping while considering your driveway’s appearance and budget.
Stamped Permeable or Porous Concrete For the Driveway
Instead of traditional concrete, consider using permeable or porous paving materials instead of conventional cement concrete for your driveway and walkways. These materials allow water to be absorbed into the ground, which can help prevent flooding and erosion and improve soil health.
You can make them using recyclable materials such as recycled glass, crushed stone, or even previous concrete.
No VOC Epoxy For Old Traditional Concrete
Suppose you can only afford to change part of the driveway, and the concrete is still strong. It would help if you only resealed it using low- or no- VOC (volatile organic compounds) epoxies. They came from natural or plant-based materials rather than petroleum-based products.
These coatings offer the same benefits as traditional epoxy coatings, including durability, resistance to stains and abrasions, and a glossy finish, but without the negative environmental impact and health risks associated with VOCs.
Rain Gardens And Green Roofs For Landscaping
Rain gardens are parts of your yard that collect and clean rainwater. By using native plants and other plants, rain gardens can help to absorb and filter stormwater runoff, improves the water quality, and reduces the amount of water that flows into storm drains. Rain gardens can also give your property a beautiful and unique touch.
The same goes for green roofs, as the vegetation helps to absorb rainwater and reduce the amount of stormwater runoff. And this one can improve the air quality around your home.
Benefits of Green-Tech Solutions
Green technology can help you reduce your environmental impact and give you several other benefits. Among these are:
- Added to the way things look
- Added value to the property
- Better ways to manage and filter water
- cut down on carbon emissions
Case Studies of Successful Green-Tech Implementation
If you’re still not sure that green-tech solutions are worth the money, here are some examples of how cities used them successfully:
- In Chicago, a program is to put green roofs on buildings, porous concrete driveways, and sidewalks. It has led to a massive drop in the energy used and greenhouse gases released, as well as better air and water quality.
- In Los Angeles, they make rubberized asphalt for roads using old tires. That reduces waste and makes the road surface quieter and more potent.
- In a parking lot in Seattle, the city’s public utility company put permeable pavers and rain gardens. It cut the amount of stormwater runoff by 98%, made the water healthier, and made the area look nicer.
Sustainability Is Beauty
Green technology can provide a wide range of benefits for your concrete driveway and landscaping, from reducing your carbon footprint to improving water management and enhancing the curb appeal of your property.
So next time you’re considering a home improvement project, think outside the box and consider eco-friendly ways for your driveway and landscaping, such as permeable Chicago concrete driveway installation. Your wallet and the planet will be grateful.
