Concrete vs Permeable Concrete: What Are The Differences?

Concrete is a well-known material, but you might not know there are a few different types. Recently, permeable concrete has made waves within the concrete and construction industry. We are often asked what is the difference between concrete vs permeable concrete?

Choosing the right concrete for your project is important because it will impact the longevity, maintenance and functionality of your project.

As concrete experts, we could recite this answer in our sleep. We have a combined 25 years of experience working with the material, making the different designs in our mix-on-site trucks, and pumping it to where it needs to be across the South. We have unparalleled knowledge of the material, so in this blog, we explain the differences between traditional concrete and porous concrete.

Traditional Concrete

Traditional concrete is made of a combination of cement, aggregates and water.

There are many different ratio combinations you can use of these ingredients, making different design mixes that will have various levels of strength and durability.

A mixture of coarse and fine aggregates is used in traditional concrete, creating a solid layer without any gaps, so nothing gets through the structure.

Concrete is an incredibly strong and durable material that can be used in a range of applications, from small DIY projects, such as garden shed bases or garden fence posts or post bases, to large constructions where it can be used to create structures, flooring or foundations.

Due to the strength of traditional concrete, it is often used in high-traffic and heavy load-bearing areas as it will be able to withstand use without degrading or breaking.

Permeable Concrete 

Permeable concrete is made from the same ingredients as traditional concrete: cement, aggregates and water.

However, instead of using a mixture of fine and coarse aggregates, this material only uses coarse stones. This means there will be gaps within the surface when it's laid, creating a porous surface.

Gaps are formed throughout the depth of the concrete, allowing liquids, more often water, to trickle through the surface, into the subbase and down to the soil.

Typically, permeable concrete is just as strong as traditional concrete. The lack of finer aggregates doesn't negatively impact the durability. It is actually at a lower risk of cracking because it doesn't shrink as much as traditional concrete, meaning it provides structural strength.

Common uses of permeable concrete include:

• Car parks
• Driveways
• Pathways and pavements

Key Differences Between Concrete vs Permeable Concrete

There are a few key differences between these two types of concrete.

• Materials - The overall materials are the same in each. However, porous concrete doesn't use fine aggregates.  
• Water permeability - Obviously, permeable concrete is porous, allowing water to flow through it, reducing surface flooding. However, traditional concrete is impervious and does not allow water infiltration.
• Environmental impact - Permeable concrete is believed to be more environmentally friendly because it reduces surface flooding, helps with the urban heat islands effect and cleanses the water as it filters through to the soil.
• Application - These concrete types have very defined applications because of their characteristics. Permeable concrete will be used for areas where surface flooding is likely to occur, making it an outdoor material. Meanwhile, traditional concrete remains the go-to material within the construction of buildings and as a foundation material.

Maintenance Of Each Type Of Concrete

While concrete is relatively low maintenance, permeable concrete is likely to need a little more attention when compared to traditional concrete.

Because there are gaps in the surface, porous concrete can be prone to getting clogged with debris or dirt. Therefore, you might need to clean it regularly to remove dirt and debris from the surface and prevent the gaps from getting blocked.

Traditional concrete won't require this, as nothing can get through the surface. However, it is more prone to cracking over time. This means you will need to complete frequent visual inspections to look out for cracks and structural issues, especially as the concrete gets older.

Discuss Concrete vs permeable Concrete With Our Experts

There you have it, a simple guide to concrete vs permeable concrete. Now you know the main differences and uses between the two, you can make an informed decision on which type of concrete you need for your project.

If creating a surface, such as a driveway, permeable concrete will mean that the surface doesn't flood with water when it rains heavily or you wash your car. However, if you are laying a base for a shed, you won't need the porosity of permeable concrete and would be better off opting for traditional concrete.

At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we provide both types of concrete, mixing them on-site for a cost-effective and efficient solution. Also, we carry out concrete pumping, reducing the manual labour needed to get the concrete from our truck to your project site.

Not sure what concrete you need or if you need a pump? No worries, our team is here to help you figure out the best solution. We can complete a site visit, where we will assess your site and project and can give guidance and advice suitable to your work. We will cover the concrete design mix needed, quantity, whether you need a pump and which type of pump would be best based on site accessibility.

Call our friendly experts on 01489 552737 or complete our enquiry form to discuss your project and which concrete you might need.