The Best State and National Park Paving Solution

Our State and National Parks are some of the most beautiful and pristine areas of land in the world. From coast to coast, people enjoy going on hikes and generally admiring nature on land that’s been set aside for this specific reason. However, even State and National Parks require paving in certain areas, which can detract from the natural beauty and is expensive to maintain as well.

Parking lots, pathways, and other paved areas are necessary to help us enjoy these parks to the fullest extent. Many paved areas within our Parks are currently made from either asphalt or concrete. These materials are not only inefficient, but producing them is a burden on the already-strained environment, and they deteriorate rapidly, leading to costly maintenance and other issues.

Fortunately, there’s a better solution than asphalt or concrete when it comes to paving our Parks. This is critical if we want to preserve our sacred land and keep our Parks in harmony with the land, so let’s look at a superior paving alternative.

 

When it comes to what type of pavement we should be using in our State and National Parks, there’s no question about it. Permeable pavement is a solution that outperforms concrete and asphalt in every category and is far better for the environment. For example, TRUEGRID PRO PLUS is a paving solution that combines gravel with interlocking, plastic pavers to provide a level surface that’s both tough and 100%-permeable.

This combination of incredible strength and permeability means that there is almost no maintenance required throughout the 40-50 year lifespan of these pavers. Unlike asphalt and concrete, which require lengthy waiting periods and heavy machinery to install, permeable pavers have the simplest installation method of any paving material.

For gravel-filled pavers like TRUEGRID PRO PLUS and TRUEGRID PRO LITE, the area to be paved is excavated to a depth of 8 to 12 inches. Next, a piece of fabric is laid at the bottom of the pit and gravel is poured in. The gravel is then compacted, and the pavers are snapped into place over the top like LEGO® blocks.

Once the pavers have been snapped into place, more gravel is poured over the top, filling the empty cells of the pavers and weighing them down on the patented X-anchors, a key feature of the TRUEGRID system. This gravel is compacted into the pavers by a heavy roller or vehicle, easily completing the installation process in as little as a day, depending on the size of the project.

The result is a tough, durable natural looking surface that compliments the park instead of violating it.

TRUEGRID Permeable Pavers Are More Eco-Friendly than Other Types of Pavement

Unlike asphalt or concrete which release excessive amounts of carbon into the air when they’re produced, TRUEGRID pavers are made from 100%-recycled plastic. Despite being made from plastic, they are far more durable than asphalt or concrete, which break easily and fall into disrepair over time. Permeable pavers are perfect for use in our State and National Parks because they’re UV-resistant, and unaffected by extreme temperatures and weather.

They also prevent the typical erosion found around impermeable pavement by allowing water to drain directly through. This lessens the need for maintenance and helps keep trails and pathways safer by preventing them from washing out. TRUEGRID PRO PLUS isn’t the only permeable pavement solution offered by TRUEGRID, either.

For a more natural-looking, yet just as durable and reliable type of pavement, there is the TRUEGRID ROOT™ paver system. They are designed to press right into the soil over the top of grass and can transform any grass area into a place suitable for parking and driving. The pavers stabilize the grass and prevent it from rutting or being torn up, and the grass is able to grow right up through the pavers, so they’re almost invisible to the naked eye, depending on the blade length of the grass.

This solution is perfect for parks that want to avoid the look of pavement as much as possible, while still retaining the stabilizing benefits of pavement. You can even designate parking spaces with TRUEGRID SuperSpot markers that snap right into place in the top of the pavers. It’s also great for stabilizing trails and pathways while leaving the natural ground as undisturbed as possible.

It’s Time for a Better Solution to Pavement in Our State and National Parks

State and National Parks are meant to be places of preserved natural splendor. This means we need to keep them as pure and healthy as possible. Adding asphalt and/or concrete pavement to our Parks drives up the annual cost of maintenance, contributes to pollution, and disturbs the natural environment in ways that we don’t want.

If you’re in a position to oversee the installation of pavement in our State and National Parks or you simply want to enjoy the benefits of TRUEGRID permeable pavers on your own land, contact a pavement professional at TRUEGRID today for a quote.

Winter exposes weak pavement fast. Choosing pavers in cold climates means thinking about drainage, snowmelt, and year-round surface stability. TRUEGRID offers permeable grid systems for residential driveways, walkways, and larger paved areas, giving homeowners and contractors a surface well-suited to winter conditions that manages meltwater instead of trapping it on top.

Why Winter Is Hard on Exterior Paving

Cold-weather paving has to deal with more than snow. It also has to handle melting ice, slick spots, plowing, shifting ground, and repeated freeze/thaw cycles over the course of the season.

Drainage Drives Winter Performance

In winter, drainage often determines whether a surface stays usable or turns slick. When water sits on or near the surface, it can freeze again, create slippery areas, and put more stress on the paving system. A porous TRUEGRID surface lets melted water move down into the base below instead of collecting on top.

For a homeowner, that difference shows up after every storm. A winter surface needs to stay stable under traffic, stay easier to clear, and keep water moving away from the top layer instead of turning every freeze into another maintenance problem.

Why TRUEGRID Performs So Well as Pavers in Cold Climates

Cold-climate performance depends on how the surface handles water at the top and movement below.

Permeability Changes Winter Surface Behavior

TRUEGRID is built around a permeable surface design. Water drains through the grid and into the stone base below instead of pooling on top, which helps the surface handle rain, snowmelt, and refreezing conditions more effectively. PRO PLUS is listed as 100% permeable, and TRUEGRID’s cold-weather driveway guidance ties permeable plastic pavers to less snow and ice buildup in winter.

Because meltwater can move through the grid, the surface is less likely to hold puddles that freeze back into ice. By moving meltwater through the grid, the surface can reduce standing water and stay easier to use through changing winter conditions. Gravel-filled cells also help the surface hold traction. The grid keeps the stone in place, which helps the paved area stay stable through winter use.

Flexible HDPE Construction Supports Seasonal Movement

TRUEGRID does not rely on a rigid slab. PRO LITE and PRO PLUS are both made from recycled HDPE plastic, and both are designed to handle changing soil and weather conditions. PRO PLUS is also published with a service temperature range down to -58°F.

Freeze/thaw stress does not stop at the surface. As moisture levels change and the ground responds to temperature swings, the paving system needs to stay strong without becoming brittle. A surface that combines strength with built-in flexibility is better suited to those conditions than one that depends on staying perfectly rigid.

Which TRUEGRID Products Work Best in Cold Climates

A residential driveway and a larger parking area do not need the same grid. TRUEGRID offers one system for lighter residential use and another for heavier-duty paving, which makes it easier to match the product to the job instead of forcing one option into every cold-weather application.

PRO LITE for Residential Driveways, Walkways, and Light Traffic

PRO LITE is the residential and light-commercial option in the line. It is designed for lighter vehicle use along with foot traffic and bike traffic, and its listed uses include driveways, walkways, parking areas, patios, and pool surrounds.

For homeowners comparing permeable pavers in cold climates, PRO LITE is the place to start. It is lighter to handle during installation, works across a wide range of climate conditions, and uses gravel or grass fill to create a stable permeable surface for everyday residential use. It fits the needs of driveways, front walks, side-yard access lanes, and parking pads without pushing homeowners into a heavier commercial system. A surface built around permeability and gravel stabilization also aligns well with common homeowner concerns about cold-weather driveway material.

PRO PLUS for Heavier Loads, Parking Areas, and Larger Projects

PRO PLUS is the heavier-duty option. It is built for larger paved areas and more demanding traffic, which makes it a better fit for parking lots, drive lanes, equipment areas, and other surfaces that need stronger support.

PRO PLUS is the better choice when pavers in cold climates need to do more than handle a standard home driveway. If the project involves more traffic, more weight, or a larger paved footprint, PRO PLUS adds the load support those sites need without giving up the drainage that helps in winter. For parking layouts and larger paved areas, PRO PLUS also works with SnowSpots markers. 

Those markers stay visible in all seasons and are designed to remain plow-friendly, which adds another practical advantage when winter visibility matters. That combination of permeability, seasonal flexibility, and project-specific product options is what makes TRUEGRID a stronger cold-climate choice than one-size-fits-all paving systems.

Cold Weather Paver Installation Starts Below the Surface

Choosing the right grid is only part of the job. Cold weather paver installation also depends on excavation depth, separating the soil from the stone base, compacting the layers correctly, and building a base that supports both drainage and the expected load.

Base Preparation and Drainage Control

A permeable surface only works as intended when the layers below it are built correctly. That usually means excavating to the right depth, placing a fabric layer to separate soil from stone, building a compacted stone base, and then installing and filling the grid.

When installing pavers in cold climates, those base layers matter even more. A winter-ready system needs a base that supports traffic while still letting water move through it, because the cold-weather benefit depends on keeping meltwater from sitting near the surface.

Product Selection Is Part of Installation

Before the base goes in, the grid still has to match the kind of traffic the surface will carry. That decision affects base depth, load support, and how the finished surface performs through winter.

Snow Removal on a TRUEGRID Surface

Once the surface is built correctly, the next test is how it performs during storms. TRUEGRID surfaces can be cleared with the same basic tool categories used on conventional pavement, including shovels, snowblowers, and snowplows.

Blade height makes the difference. During snow plowing a TRUEGRID surface, the plow or shovel edge should be kept about ½ to 1 inch above grade so it does not catch the grid and pull up a section. That matters most during snow removal on paver surfaces, where routine plowing, shoveling, and thaw cycles can put more pressure on rigid pavement surfaces. Use the same care with shovel or plow edges that you would on any paved surface, and avoid scraping directly against the grid.

Modular Repair Keeps Winter Damage Manageable

While rare, if a section is damaged during plowing, the repair does not require rebuilding the whole paved area. Individual grid sections can be replaced without tearing out the entire installation.

After a rough winter, that makes spring repairs faster and more contained. The surface is made of interlocking sections instead of one continuous slab that may need patching, resurfacing, or broader repair work.

Heated Walkways Add Another Cold-Climate Advantage

For projects that need more winter control than drainage alone can provide, TRUEGRID can be paired with electric cables or hydronic tubing to create heated walkway systems that melt snow and ice while allowing water to drain through the surface.

That combination works well for entry paths, residential walks, multifamily access routes, and commercial pedestrian areas where winter safety matters every day. The system helps reduce pooling and refreezing while keeping the surface more usable through repeated winter weather.

Choose TRUEGRID Pavers for Reliable Winter Performance

Cold-weather paving works better when the surface drains, stays stable, and holds up during snow removal. TRUEGRID gives homeowners and contractors a better cold-climate path with one system for lighter residential use and another for heavier-duty sites. Contact us today for more information.

 

FAQ: TRUEGRID Pavers in Cold Climates

Can TRUEGRID pavers handle freeze/thaw cycles?

Yes. TRUEGRID’s cold-weather and product pages position the system for cold climates, with permeable drainage, flexible HDPE construction, and product options built to handle seasonal movement and winter conditions. PRO PLUS is also published with a service temperature range down to -58°F.

Are permeable pavers a good choice for snowy driveways?

They can be, especially when the goal is to reduce standing water and limit refreezing at the surface. TRUEGRID’s cold-weather driveway guidance ties permeable plastic pavers to less snow and ice buildup, and its snow-removal guidance supports routine winter use on driveways and similar paved areas.

Can you snow plow a TRUEGRID surface?

Yes. TRUEGRID says its surfaces can be cleared with snowplows, snowblowers, and shovels, as long as the blade or shovel edge is slightly raised – ½ to 1-inch – so it does not catch the grid. Skids, skis, rollers, or protective bumpers are often used on plow blades.

Which TRUEGRID product is best for a residential driveway in a cold climate?

For most residential driveways and walkways, PRO LITE is the better starting point because it is positioned for lighter vehicle use and everyday home applications. For larger paved areas, sloped driveways, or heavier-use conditions, PRO PLUS is the stronger option

Can TRUEGRID be used with heated walkways?

Yes. TRUEGRID’s heated-walkway guidance says the system can be paired with electric cables or hydronic tubing, allowing snow and ice to melt while water drains through the pavers instead of pooling on the surface.

 

Commercial paving has been dominated by materials like concrete and asphalt for as long as they’ve been around. These materials are somewhat inexpensive, durable, and professional-looking enough to suit many business owners’ needs.

However, while these materials are suitable as pavement options, they’re far from the gold standard of pavement in 2021. New advancements have been made in commercial paving that completely surpass anything asphalt or concrete has to offer. Unfortunately, many businesses are still stuck in the dark ages when it comes to their commercial pavement.

In case you were unaware of the superior alternative to either concrete or asphalt, let’s take a look at how traditional pavement materials stack up against more new-age paving materials like permeable commercial pavers.

The Problem with Traditional Pavement

The reason most business owners still gravitate towards asphalt and concrete is that they simply don’t know any better. These materials have been used to pave walkways, parking lots, and other commercial areas for decades. They also perform at an average level when it comes to durability and functionality. There are, however, many problems with asphalt and concrete.

For starters, these materials require constant maintenance. They do not stand up well in extreme temperatures, with asphalt melting in high temps and concrete cracking in low temps. Asphalt and concrete both need to be resealed every 3 to 5 years, and resurfaced every 10 to 15 years.

Neither resealing nor surfacing are inexpensive procedures, and these costs can add up drastically over the lifetime of the pavement. Not only that, asphalt and concrete parking lots also need to be repainted when the lot lines inevitably wear out. In addition to the extensive maintenance costs of asphalt and concrete pavement, they also require additional drainage systems, in most cases.

You can get away with having a concrete pathway without any drainage, however, parking lots, curbs, and other large areas of concrete usually require drainage grates, and/or sloping so that stormwater will naturally filter into the road or another area where it can be drained. Some businesses even have detention ponds located on their property where stormwater is held until it can be slowly released back into the local sewer system.

This is expensive to install and cuts into the amount of land you can use for other purposes like additional parking spots. Neither asphalt nor concrete are considered eco-friendly either, with both releasing a lot of carbon into the air as they are produced.

Permeable Pavers Are the Future of Commercial Paving\

As environmental awareness and eco-friendliness become higher priorities for many businesses, the type of pavement we use will become one of the main focus points for builders and architects. Permeable plastic pavers are one of, if not the most eco-friendly paving material on the market.

The commercial pavers produced by TRUEGRID, for example, are made from 100% plastic. They take far fewer resources and time to install, leading to an overall healthier process from production to installation. Eco-friendliness is far from the only valuable trait these pavers possess, though.

TRUEGRID products such as TRUEGRID PRO PLUS, TRUEGRID PRO LITE, and TRUEGRID ROOT permeable pavers are proven to be more durable than concrete and asphalt over the long-term. In terms of sheer strength, even when empty, they can handle the full weight of a monster truck jumping off a ramp and landing on them, without breaking.

TRUEGRID permeable pavers also require almost zero maintenance throughout their lifetime, and can last 40 to 50 years before needing to be replaced. The land utilization you gain with TRUEGRID pavers is also a huge plus for commercial business owners.

The pavers are almost 100% permeable, so they can drain stormwater through them at an incredible rate. This allows the water to filter through the gravel within the pavers and drain into the water table below naturally, without putting a burden on local sewer systems.

It also eliminates the need for an above-ground detention pond, as all water drainage needs are taken care of directly below the pavement itself. That means you get to use 100% of your land for whatever you want.

TRUEGRID permeable pavers use permanent plastic markers for parking lot lines and other designs, which means no repainting lot lines. The installation is also incredibly quick, with smaller projects able to be completed in less than a day. Even large lots can be completed in a handful of days, as opposed to the weeks it would take to complete a big concrete or asphalt lot.

Commercial Paving Has Taken a Big Leap Forward in 2021

When you stack up the negatives of asphalt and concrete against the positives of products like TRUEGRID permeable commercial pavers, it’s safe to say that permeable pavers are poised to take over the commercial pavement industry.

Clients are already raving about their permeable pavement, citing the stylistic beauty, cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and low maintenance requirements, among other benefits. If you’re about to install pavement on your commercial property, you can’t go wrong with TRUEGRID commercial pavers. Contact TRUEGRID today for a quote and join the many businesses making the switch to permeable pavement.

Summer is coming up, which means it’s food truck season. Food trucks can be an incredibly lucrative business and they’re poised to be especially profitable during the warm months of 2021, as COVID-19 restrictions loosen up and eager customers return.

Whether you own one or more food trucks yourself and you want to dedicate an entire parking lot to your business, or you’re simply renting out an existing lot to food truck owners, the quality of your lot can have a big impact on business.

Customers are much more likely to stop by a food truck parked on a clean-cut, flawless lot than they are a busted-up, disheveled lot filled with potholes and cracks. For those of you looking to update your lot to improve food truck business this year, it’s just not as simple as resurfacing your asphalt or concrete.

In fact, there are a variety of different materials and additional features you should consider if you want to maximize your profit. In case you’re looking to optimize your food truck parking, let’s go over 7 best practices that will set your lot apart from the rest:

1. Seating

It almost goes without saying, but you’d be surprised how many parking lots with food trucks in them don’t have any available seating for customers. Even if you own a different business and are simply renting out part of your lot to a food truck, having seating arrangements can go a long way to attracting food truck owners. Hauling in a few picnic tables should do the trick, but feel free to get more creative, as well.

2. Be Cool

Seating and shade go hand in hand. Nobody wants to sweat buckets in the hot sun while trying to enjoy their meal. If your seating doesn’t already come with patio umbrellas attached, try setting up a canvas or some pop-up canopies for people to sit under.

LAso, the surface temperature of your lot is important. Asphalt and concrete het super heated in the summer, absorbing the hot sun and raising teh temperature of the surrounding air. Use a gravel or grass filled permeable pavement like TRUEGRID and your lot temperature will drop dramatically. Be cool in the summertime.

3. Drainage

Not only will a proper drainage system prevent puddles from forming after a rain shower, it will keep stormwater from infiltrating and damaging your lot. Parking lot drainage can take the form of sloping the lot towards the road where water can drain into a sewer grate, or you could have drainage grates installed in the lot itself for a bit more effective solution.

Another excellent way to drain your lot is to build it with permeable pavers. This will allow water to drain directly through your parking lot and into the soil below, which is less costly than having additional drainage included in your food truck parking construction.

4. Build a Multi-Purpose Lot

A multi-purpose lot can be used for much more than just parking food trucks and customers. If you’re operating year-round, you want a lot that can handle all people and events.

Think farmer’s markets, Christmas tree lots, firework stands, outdoor movie screenings, and more. The best way to do this is by completing your food truck parking construction with materials that are unaffected by different types of weather and temperature fluctuations.

5. Permeable Gravel Pavers

 

Asphalt and concrete are prone to water damage, rutting, cracks, unraveling, potholes, and other common types of damage. Permeable gravel pavers, on the other hand, will suffer none of these issues and are perfect for food truck parking. Products like TRUEGRID PRO PLUS pavers are snapped into place over a pit of gravel, with more gravel being laid over the top and pressed into the empty cells.

The additional gravel locks the pavers into place and provides a smooth, stylish, and level surface for customers to drive on. The pavers are also 98%-permeable and provide a built-in drainage system, making for a high-quality lot that will last around 40-50 years with minimal maintenance.

TRUEGRID PRO and TRUEGRID PRO LITE pavers do not absorb sunlight like asphalt does, preventing the dreaded “heat-island” effect that afflicts so many asphalt lots. They also utilize permanent plastic markers for lot lines, eliminating the need for repainting.

6. Permeable Grass Pavers

If you have a grass lot, stabilizing it with the TRUEGRID ROOT paver system is the perfect way to optimize it for food truck parking. These pavers are installed by simply driving over them to press them into the soil. After two weeks, the grass will grow right through them and you won’t be able to see them.

You’ll have a grass lot that can handle vehicle and foot traffic without taking any damage. This is ideal for food trucks and lets people feel a little more connected to nature as they eat and enjoy themselves.

7. A Big Sign

Having at least one big, flashing sign that can advertise the food trucks to passing traffic is essential to drawing in as many customers as possible. You could opt for a digital sign, but a manual sign will work as well. Your sign can be situated on the ground outside the food trucks or installed higher in the air on a pole.

Use These Tips to Get the Most Out of your Food Truck Lot

Food truck success depends a lot on food truck parking. Whether you own a truck yourself or you want to rent out your lot to other food trucks, make sure to implement as many of the tips in this article as you can to maximize your success.

If you want to use the best material for building a food truck parking lot, nix the asphalt and contact TRUEGRID today for a quote on durable, stylish, eco-friendly pavers that are sure to impress.