Pervious concrete pavements have many environmental benefits by allowing water to percolate back into the soil, replenishing the water table and preventing stormwater run-off. But Ryan Marlinghaus, president of EarthCare Landscaping, has taken permeable concrete to a whole new level as an artistic medium for decorative applications. On this project, he replicated a child's artwork in permeable concrete, and it is the centerpiece of the homeowner's backyard garden. The finished piece is approximately 6 ½ x 6 ½ feet and is located in a special area of the client's garden just for children. Marlinghaus used two separate permeable concrete mixes for this project -- one for the base and an integrally colored "ultra-fine" mix for the decorative surface. Marlinghaus says that there are a couple of unique qualities about ultra-fine permeable concrete vs. conventional permeable concrete. "Perhaps the biggest is that it is so fine, it almost appears like regular concrete, yet it can drain at almost the same rate as standard pervious concrete. And because of the way it is applied, a number of design options open up, including the use of interesting colors. Simple borders and designs or accents can be done in multiple colors at a reasonable cost." The ultra-fine permeable mix is suited for a wide variety of applications, beyond garden art. "We have been installing it for years in every residential application, including driveways, patios and paths. It would also be great for city sidewalks, schools, and commercial and retail applications."
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