Geotextiles

Choosing the Right Geotextile Membrane for Your Project

At County Building Supplies, we supply geotextile membranes and weed control fabrics for professional landscapers, builders and DIY customers. Whether you're installing a gravel driveway, creating garden paths or preparing planting areas, choosing the right membrane can help improve ground separation, filtration and weed management.

Woven vs Non-Woven Geotextile Membranes

Woven and non-woven geotextiles are designed for different landscaping and ground preparation applications.

• Woven geotextiles: Manufactured using interlaced fibres, these are commonly used for ground separation and stabilisation in suitable landscaping applications. County stocks Groundtex Woven Geotextile in 1 x 15m and 2 x 25m rolls.
• Non-woven geotextiles: Manufactured using bonded fibres, these can provide separation and filtration in suitable drainage and groundworks applications. County stocks Drivetex Non-Woven Driveway Membrane in a 2.25 x 25m roll.

The correct membrane depends on ground conditions, drainage requirements, expected loads and the manufacturer's intended application.

Geotextile Membrane vs Weed Control Fabric

Although both products are used in landscaping, geotextile membranes and weed control fabrics don't always serve the same purpose.

Geotextile membranes are commonly used to separate soil from aggregate layers and help maintain the performance of suitable ground constructions.

Weed control fabrics are primarily designed to help suppress weed growth in garden borders and landscaped areas while allowing water to pass through. County stocks Weedtex Weed Control Fabric in a 1 x 15m roll.

For driveways or other load-bearing applications, choose a membrane specifically suitable for the proposed ground construction rather than relying on a general-purpose weed control fabric.

Using Geotextiles Beneath Gravel

Geotextiles are commonly installed beneath gravel paths and driveways to help prevent soil and aggregate layers from mixing. This can help maintain separation between materials and reduce contamination of the aggregate layer.

For driveway applications, consider vehicle loading, sub-base construction, ground conditions and drainage. The membrane should be installed according to the manufacturer's guidance, including any required overlaps and protection from damage during construction.

How Much Geotextile Membrane Do You Need?

Measure the length and width of the area to calculate its surface area in square metres. For example, an area measuring 5m by 4m covers 20m².

Allow additional material for overlaps, edges and cutting waste. Check the roll dimensions and manufacturer's installation requirements before ordering.

Need Advice?

Not sure which geotextile membrane or weed control fabric you need? Visit your local County Building Supplies branch or contact our team for help choosing a suitable product and checking availability.