Gravel surfaces are gaining popularity in gardens, driveways, and pathways. They are aesthetic, eco-friendly, and water-permeable. However, traditional loose gravel has one major drawback: it shifts under intensive use. The result? Reduced comfort, rut formation, and an untidy appearance.
Old solution: finer gravel
To prevent gravel displacement, people used to opt for gravel with a higher percentage of fine particles (e.g. 0–5 mm or 0–15 mm). This helped the gravel settle more firmly into the base layer.
The downside?
Water permeability was significantly reduced. Rainwater would remain on the surface, creating puddles and depressions, and fine particles would stick to shoes. So, not an ideal solution.
The smart solution today: ECCOgravel gravel grids
With ECCOgravel, you choose an innovative gravel stabilization system that combines the best of both worlds:
- A clean, stable finish
- Fully water-permeable
- Suitable for intensive use (on foot or by car)
ECCOgravel panels keep the gravel perfectly in place. Installed underneath a top layer of gravel, they provide a smooth and comfortable surface that doesn’t shift.
Why choose ECCOgravel?
- Very high compressive strength, both filled and unfilled
- Thermally bonded polyester geotextile to prevent gravel from getting underneath the panels
- Fully water-permeable thanks to the open structure
- A clean and elegant result that remains beautiful over time
ECCOgravel is available in:
- 3 colours: white, grey and black
- 2 heights: 3 cm and 4 cm
Why choose 4 cm?
Both variants — 3 cm and 4 cm in height — offer comparable performance in terms of compressive strength, torsional resistance, and flexibility. However, the key difference lies in how the load is distributed to the foundation. The 4 cm variant provides better load distribution to the underlying layers. A thicker panel distributes forces more effectively, resulting in less stress on the subbase.
A simple comparison:
Strike your hand with a hammer using only a single sheet of paper as protection.
Now try the same with a thick phone book.
The difference is obvious: the thicker the intermediate layer, the better the impact is absorbed. The same applies to ECCOgravel: the thicker the gravel grid, the less strain is placed on the foundation.
ECCOgravel 30 Double: suitable for vehicles, but under certain conditions
The 3 cm ECCOgravel 30 Double can be used in light vehicle applications, but only if the foundation is exceptionally well constructed. The additional cost of reinforcing the subbase generally outweighs any savings made by choosing the thinner panel.
ECCOgravel gravel stabilization grids are manufactured entirely in Belgium. This allows us to guarantee fast delivery while maintaining strict quality standards. As a result, our gravel grids offer the best solution for any application.
- Frost- and UV-resistant HDPE gravel grids
ECCOgravel grids are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a material that is frost- and UV-resistant. Unlike grids made from other materials, HDPE remains flexible at all times, even in freezing conditions down to –20 °C. Grids made from inferior materials are more prone to cracking in cold temperatures.
- High compressive strength
ECCOgravel grids have a compressive strength of up to 400 tonnes/m² when filled, and 90 tonnes/m² when empty. This value reflects the maximum load the grid can support. Thanks to this high strength, ECCOgravel is perfectly suited for driveways, parking areas, fire lanes, and more.
- Excellent torsional resistance
In addition to compressive strength, torsional resistance is a key factor. When vehicles manoeuvre over the gravel grids (turning, reversing), they exert not only pressure but also shear forces on the foundation. This is where HDPE proves its value: thanks to its flexible composition, ECCOgravel grids do not crack or deform over time. Moreover, all ECCOgravel panels are equipped with plastic reinforcements between the cells to further improve torsional resistance.
- Extremely strong geotextile
Attention has not only been given to the structure of the grid itself, but also to the geotextile layer (root barrier). This layer prevents gravel from migrating underneath the panel. The geotextile used in ECCOgravel panels is 100% bonded to the grid, eliminating the risk of displacement. Made from polyester, it offers exceptional durability. Its open structure allows rainwater to quickly drain into the subsoil, keeping the surface clean and dry. It also limits weed growth, as plants and grass are less likely to take root.
- Available in multiple colours
ECCOgravel grids are available in white, black, and grey – to match every aesthetic and environment.
ECCOgravel gravel grids offer a wide range of applications:
- Terraces
- Walking and garden paths
- Driveways
- Parking areas
- Roof terraces
- Fire lanes
- …
Thanks to ECCOgravel, you create a stable surface that is both walkable and drivable – even with a bicycle, wheelchair, or stroller, and in all weather conditions.
ECCOmarkers are the ideal solution for clearly marking parking spaces on surfaces equipped with ECCOgravel.
Installing your ECCOgravel gravel stabilization grids is simple and fast.
Before starting, carefully determine which grid type you need and select the appropriate foundation depth.
Step 1: Excavation
Carry out the required excavation work. Always remove the topsoil.
Step 2: Edging
Install the edging borders. These should protrude 2 cm above the top level of the grid.
Step 3: Foundation layer (only for applications with vehicle traffic)
Create a foundation layer of at least 25 cm deep. Build up in layers of maximum 20 cm and compact each layer with a vibrating plate. Recommended materials include limestone chippings, porphyry stone, or crushed concrete rubble (grain size: 0–32 mm or 0–40 mm). We do not recommend crushed brick, as it tends to disintegrate over time.
Step 4: Levelling layer
Apply a levelling layer of fine gravel, compact it, and level the surface. The recommended depth of the levelling layer for vehicular applications is 5 cm, for pedestrian use it is 15 cm. The levelling layer can be made with limestone or porphyry gravel (grain size: 2–4 mm, 1–3 mm, or 0–4 mm) or screened sand.
Step 5: ECCOgravel grids
Lay the ECCOgravel panels with the geotextile overlapping. Cut with an angle grinder if needed. Install the panels in a staggered (half-brick) pattern.
Step 6: Gravel infill
Place the gravel. Avoid driving over unfilled ECCOgravel grids. Level the gravel using a shovel, broom, rake, or levelling bar. Do not compact decorative gravel. Leave the gravel 1 to 2 cm above the grids (1 cm for finer gravel, 2 cm for coarser types). The gravel will naturally settle slightly over time. Ultimately, just enough gravel should be added to make the ECCOgravel grids invisible. For vehicular applications, we recommend a grain size of 8–16 mm (smaller stones may stick to tires; larger ones are less aesthetic). For non-vehicular applications, we recommend 4–16 mm (smaller grains may break down over time).
Step 7: Inspection and final levelling
Inspect and level the surface after first use. Add gravel where necessary. No further settlement is expected after this.
Specifications of the honeycomb structure
- Grid dimensions (*): 160 x 120 cm
- Grid height (**): 4 cm (ECCOgravel 40) or 3 cm (ECCOgravel 30)
- Honeycomb diameter: 43 mm
- HDPE density: 0.95 g/cm³
- Honeycomb material: 100% HDPE – high-density polyethylene
- 100% recyclable: yes (black, white and grey)
- Recycled material: black and grey: 100%, white: none
- Compressive strength (empty): ISO 844 – 90 tonnes/m²
- Compressive strength (filled): ISO 844 – up to 400 tonnes/m²
Geotextile properties
- Material: non-woven polyester
- Colour: white
- Weight: 50 g/m²
- Adhesion: bonded to the honeycomb structure
- Overlap: on two sides of the panel
- Tensile strength: 65 N/5 cm (EN 29073/3)
- Tear resistance: 70 N (DIN 53363)
Mechanical properties
- Flexibility: very high
- Chemical stability: very high
- UV stability: long-term exposure: yes / indoor storage: not applicable
- Thermal expansion coefficient: not applicable (expansion forces are absorbed by the flexibility of the panel)
- Low temperature performance: remains flexible
Practical properties
| Height (**) | length x width (*): | m²/grid | gravel/m² |
| 4 cm | 160 x 120 cm | 1.92 | 80 kg |
| 3 cm | 160 x 120 cm | 1.92 | 65 kg |
(*) Tolerance of approximately 2%
(**) Tolerance of approximately 1.5 mm
