Technical & Installation

Product comparison table

Technical

You can find specific Technical specifications for each gravel and grass stabilisation product, on their respective product pages, however for a general specification please see below.

Sub-base

StablePAVE ECO, StablePAVE TRADE, StablePAVE HD, StableGRASS and StableEdge products should be placed on a suitably compacted sub-base (see notes), with weed suppressant overlap laid underneath each following sheet.

Placing

Each product panel should be placed on a flat bed of blinding or sand, graded to suit the installation. For example, on a driveway you should lay down sand across the drive, to form a foundation upon which the StablePAVE sheets can be placed.

Filling

Gravel fill at a rate of 55 - 65 kg per sq. metre, should be placed into the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb structure should be overfilled to a depth of 10 - 20 mm above the top surface of the panels. Filling should take place from the access point inwards and mechanical or pedestrian traffic should only occur over filled panels. StablePAVE is suitable for use with all sizes of gravel up to 10 mm diameter.

Compacting

If required final consolidation can be aided by light compaction with a compaction plate.

Notes:

Sub-base substructure is dependent on the use to which the final surface is to experience. This can vary from compacted earth for very light foot access paths to 150 mm of type one sub base material, where regular vehicle traffic is anticipated. For most installations it can be assumed that a sub-base of 150 mm will be suitable, unless the ground is clearly very soft, or has a CBR value below 2.5%.
In general the same sub-base as would be specified for modular concrete paving, is applicable also to StablePAVE.

Maintenance:

StablePAVE requires virtually no maintenance. Light yet strong, solid yet flexible, fully waterproof, its honeycomb structure provides great drainage whilst remaining firmly in place.

If the honeycomb cells become exposed simply top up with gravel.

StablePAVE Installation Guide

Installing your StablePAVE gravel stabilisation system is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect finish.

Step 1 — Choose Your Sub Base & Calculate Dig Depth
Before you dig, you need to know your total excavation depth. This depends on your intended use, your chosen StablePAVE tray size, and your gravel topping. Use the guide below to work out which sub base option suits you.
Sub Base Options:
•    Option 1 (Low-use pedestrian only): Compacted earth + 25–30mm sand blinding layer. A geotextile membrane between the compacted earth and the sand layer is recommended where ground movement is likely (e.g. heavy clay soils), but is otherwise optional.
•    Option 2 (Most common — driveways, pedestrian & light vehicle use): 100–150mm compacted Type 1 sub base + 25–30mm sand blinding layer.
•    Option 3 (Heavy vehicle / car park use): 150–300mm compacted Type 1 sub base + 25–30mm sand blinding layer.
•    Option 4 (Fully permeable / water harvesting): Compacted earth + 250–275mm filter media gravel (compacted in layers) + 25–30mm sand blinding layer. Geotextile layers should be added between the earth and filter media gravel, and above the filter media gravel, where ground movement is a concern (e.g. heavy clay), acting as a stabilising layer. Note: for fully permeable sub bases it is important that the filter media layer is effectively contained to avoid lateral movement.
Calculating your total dig depth:
Total excavation depth = Sub base depth + Sand blinding layer (25–30mm) + StablePAVE tray depth (30mm or 38mm) + Gravel topping (10–20mm)
Example: Option 2 with a 38mm tray → 150mm + 30mm + 38mm + 15mm = 233mm total dig depth.
Once excavated, compact your sub base thoroughly and finish with your sand blinding layer, levelled and firm. As a general guide, the same sub base specification used for modular concrete paving is equally applicable to StablePAVE.

Step 2 — Lay the Trays
Place the StablePAVE trays onto your prepared surface. Each tray has projecting membrane flaps — lay each subsequent tray on top of these overlaps to suppress weed growth between trays.

Step 3 — Fix the Edging
Fit the retaining edging around the perimeter to lock the trays firmly in place. StablePAVE can be easily cut with a hand or power saw to fit any shape or curve.

Step 4 — Fill with Gravel
Fill the honeycomb cells with gravel, working from the front. Wheelbarrows can be driven directly over the trays once filled, which helpfully compacts the gravel as you go.

Step 5 — Finish the Surface
Spread gravel across the entire surface with an overfill of approximately 10–20mm to conceal the trays completely. Your stabilised gravel surface is now complete — enjoy your driveway, garden or pathway!
Note: A geotextile membrane acts as a stabilising layer between the sub base and drainage layer, and is recommended where ground movement is expected, such as in heavy clay conditions. In most standard installations it is considered an optional step.