Spring into Sustainable Living

With outdoor home improvement project season in full swing and Earth Day right around the corner, sustainable living is top-of-mind among many homeowners.  Bryn Mawr residents recently took a sustainable approach by using permeable pavers to resolve several issues affecting their property, while upgrading their curb appeal.

Because of local building codes limiting the size of impervious surface areas—such as concrete or asphalt, which don’t allow water to filtrate through to the ground—permitted on their property, these homeowners were limited on available space to build additional improvements they had planned.

This issue, combined with chronic drainage problems stemming from their current driveway, forced these residents to seek an alternative solution to conventional paving materials.

Through local landscape construction company Creative Pavers, the homeowners chose ECO permeable pavers, a product line offered by hardscaping manufacturer EP Henry.  Using permeable pavers, the Bryn Mawr residents installed a 2,850 square feet driveway and parking area that alleviated the former drainage issues, avoided erosion concern and met the required building codes.

Permeable pavers have become a popular choice as an environmentally friendly material for outdoor patios, walkways, or driveways.  Considered pervious, these types of pavers allow water to filtrate through to the soil, providing a number of benefits for homeowners, including:

• Stormwater management
• Decreased water pollution
• Compliance with storm water regulations
• Rain water harvesting
• Aesthetic approach compared to asphalt or concrete

EP Henry recently launched ECOCenter, an online resource for both homeowners and professionals looking to learn more about sustainable environmental practices.

For homeowners who aren’t plagued by stormwater management issues and simply want to give their outdoor living space a good “spring cleaning,” EP Henry offers other ecological solutions for the green-minded.  Seal 'n Lock is a service offering that allows homeowners to clean and restore their patios and other hardscaping surface areas in one day, making it ideal to get this chore accomplished with the unpredictable spring weather.

So before digging into outdoor home improvement projects this spring, keep these sustainable living considerations in mind.

Happy Earth Day.