Membranes

Membranes and geosynthetics go into the ground under roads, car parks, drives, arenas and drainage to separate, filter, reinforce or seal. Most jobs start with a geotextile: non-woven for filtration and separation, woven for a strong separating layer under stone. Where the ground is soft, add a geogrid or geocell to spread the load.

Read the buying guide and questions
  • Non-woven geotextiles: Don & Low Lotrak 80 to 300, Geoworks MultiTrack 700 and 1000, and a 4.5m x 10m handy pack
  • Woven geotextiles: Lotrak Base, FasTrack 609A, FasTrack Orange and Rhyno GW609, in 4.5m x 100m rolls
  • Equestrian arena geotextiles from Fiberforce, in 2.2m, 4.5m and 5.5m widths
  • Biaxial geogrids (20/20, 30/30 and 40/40), ProtectaWeb geocells and a 5.1m x 40m geosynthetic clay liner
  • Brands: Don & Low, Geoworks, Fiberforce, Greenfix and Visqueen
How much membrane do I need? To wrap a tank, with 15% for overlaps

Size of the tank, in metres

Not sure of the size? It's usually on your drawings.

A guide only. Which membrane, and any tape, depends on the job: call 0121 351 3230, or send your drawings for a free take-off.

Shop by type

Woven and non-woven compared

WovenNon-woven
Made fromInterlaced polypropylene tapesNeedle-punched polypropylene fibres
FeelSmooth, like plastic sheetSoft, like felt
Graded byTensile strengthWeight
StrengthHigher, with little stretchLower
Water flowLowerHigh
CuttingTougher to cutEasy to cut
Best forSeparating and supporting stone under roads, car parks, drives and pathsFiltering and separating round drains and soakaways, and where water needs to pass through

Geogrid or geotextile

They do different jobs. A geotextile is a fabric that keeps soil and stone apart and filters water. A geogrid is an open plastic mesh that the stone locks into, so it reinforces the layer and spreads the load; soil and water pass straight through it. On firm ground a geotextile is often enough. On soft ground use both: the geotextile keeps the reinforced stone clean, so the layer stays at its full thickness.

The geogrids in this range are biaxial, equally strong in both directions, for roads, car parks, gravel drives and ground improvement. Uniaxial grid is strong in one direction only and is used for retaining walls and slopes.

How to lay

Dig out and grade the ground first. Lay the geotextile flat, straight onto the prepared ground, then place the stone over it. Where a geogrid is used as well, it goes in the sub-base above the geotextile, with the stone spread and levelled over it. Follow the maker's laying guide for overlaps and stone depth.

Questions about membranes

What is the difference between woven and non-woven geotextile?

Woven geotextile is made from interlaced polypropylene tapes, so it is strong and stretches little, which suits separation under roads and car parks. Non-woven geotextile is needle-punched fibre, so water passes through it easily, which suits filtration round land drains, soakaways and under arenas. Many sub-bases use either, so choose on whether filtration or strength matters more.

Which geotextile goes under a driveway or car park?

A geotextile under the sub-base stops the stone sinking into the soil below. Lotrak Base woven is made for this, and Lotrak 300 non-woven is a heavier option where larger stone is used. On soft ground, add a geogrid in the sub-base to spread the load. Choose on the ground. Woven suits separating and supporting stone over weak or wet soil. Where water stands or drains poorly, non-woven lets it pass through more freely.

What size are geotextile rolls?

Most rolls here are 4.5m wide by 100m long. Lotrak 300 also comes in 2m x 50m and 2m x 100m rolls, and there is a 4.5m x 10m non-woven handy pack for small jobs such as a single soakaway.

Which geotextile goes round soakaway crates?

Wrap soakaway crates in non-woven geotextile. It lets water pass out into the ground while stopping soil washing into the crates. For an attenuation tank, which holds water rather than letting it soak away, follow the crate maker's guidance on the wrap and any liner. Not sure which grade you need? Send your drawing for a free drawing take-off.

Pricing a whole job? Send your drawings for a free take-off, ask for a trade quote or call 0121 351 3230.