TÜV-certified grass pavers: what the ECCOdal certificate means for your project

The compressive strength of ECCOdal has been TÜV-certified in accordance with DIN 14090, the standard for drivable surfaces for the fire brigade on properties. Specifically, the grass grid can carry a total weight of up to 16 tonnes and an axle load of up to 10 tonnes. Depending on the type of infill and the quality of the subsoil, the grid can bear loads of up to 600 tonnes per m². These values serve as a reference; the actual load-bearing capacity depends on the on-site construction. The point is that they have been tested and certified, and therefore serve as substantiation rather than a standalone promise. 

The figures translate into applications where load-bearing capacity truly matters. ECCOdal is suitable for straight-through truck traffic, for heavily loaded driveways and car parks, and for fire lanes and fire service access routes. Because the standard it is tested against specifically concerns those fire service surfaces, the certificate ties in directly with a requirement that often recurs in German building dossiers. For an architect, that means one certified solution that covers both the green, permeable design and the required load-bearing capacity. For a contractor, it means less risk of disputes afterwards about whether the paving can actually withstand the load it is intended for. 

Load-bearing capacity alone isn’t enough if the material fails in frost. ECCOdal is made from a blend of recycled PE-PP that remains flexible down to -20°C. Grass grids made from other materials can crack or deform during prolonged frost; ECCOdal doesn’t. The integrated expansion joints also absorb thermal stresses in high summer temperatures. This keeps the structure stable all year round, from winter frost to summer heat, which makes a real difference in service life for European projects with pronounced seasons. 

Green paving is increasingly being chosen to depave surfaces and allow rainwater to infiltrate locally instead of being drained away more quickly. ECCOdal is fully permeable, preventing puddling while the grass maintains a green surface. Moreover, the material is 100% recycled. For clients and architects who include sustainability or material reuse in their file or sustainability report, this provides a second, demonstrable argument alongside load-bearing capacity. 

On site, the format also plays a role. At 80 by 80 cm per panel, covering 0.64 m², ECCOdal covers more surface area per piece than most grass pavers on the market, meaning a car park or path can be laid faster. Yet a panel remains light enough to be handled by one person. The pavers click together via the expansion joints and can be cut to size with a cutting disc. ECCOdal is available in two heights, 4 cm (ECCOdal 40) and 5 cm (ECCOdal 50), so the build-up can be tailored to the expected load. 

A certified grass paver only delivers its load-bearing capacity if the structure underneath is correct—and that’s exactly where the contractor makes the difference. For applications with vehicles, you start with the necessary excavation works, always removing the topsoil. Next comes a foundation layer of at least 25 cm, made with a foundation substrate that provides both load-bearing capacity and nourishment for the grass, well compacted with a heavy roller. You then level with a bedding substrate of 5 cm when subjected to car traffic, or 15 cm without a foundation layer. Only after that build-up do the pavers go in. The certificate states the upper limit of what the paver can withstand; the substructure determines whether you actually achieve that limit in practice. 

After installation, fill the pavers with grass-paver substrate to about 1 cm below the edge and brush it in thoroughly. Never fill with topsoil only: it compacts too much and prevents the grass seed from germinating. Depending on use, the surface is load-bearing after 6 to 8 weeks, and for intensive use it’s best to wait 16 weeks so the grass can grow in densely. 

The choice between the two heights depends on the expected load. ECCOdal 40 is 4 cm high and weighs 3.10 kg per slab; ECCOdal 50 is 5 cm high and weighs 3.95 kg per slab. Both share the same 80 by 80 cm format and the same certified compressive strength, and both are available in grey-green or black. For heavier or more intensively loaded zones, the higher variant offers extra structural reserve, while the lower variant suffices for lighter applications such as walking and garden paths. This way, you tailor the build-up to the project without compromising on the certified base. 

Choosing a grass grid is not only choosing a product, but also the arguments that support your product choice. With ECCOdal, you get a green, permeable surface whose load-bearing capacity is independently certified, that is resistant to frost and heavy loads, and quick to install. For the architect, that means a certified solution that stands up in the specifications; for the contractor, a surface that does what it promises, even under truck traffic. 

View the technical specifications and the certificate on the ECCOdal product page, or request the installation sheet and the TÜV certificate from our customer service.