New! Surface Stone Samples

Royal Blend 3/8"

Delaware Valley 3/8"

Ocean Peeble

Pocono River

Tipple Red 3/8"

Recycled Brick Chips 3/8"

3/8" Koblenz Granite

Gravel-Lok Helps Feed the Trees

12 Year Review

The following pictures are from a project installed over 12 years ago.  The wet look has vanished leaving the natural stone appearance.  The system remains strong with no visible signs of weakening.  There were no loose stones on the top surface and the system is performing the same as when it was first installed.  Since the bonding agent creates a solid monolithic surface in some areas a few cracks were visible.  It is recommended to install expansion joint cut into the system to allow additional movement from freeze-thaw cycles. After inspection there is no doubt the porous system will withstand another 12 years.

Gravel-Lok Driveways

Gravel-Lok can also be utilized for driveway applications.  Just like any pavement surface the system is only as good as the foundation it is built upon.  When installing a Gravel-Lok driveway it is recommended to increase the depth of the cellular confinement system to a 3" (SG300 / EP300) or greater cell depth.  This will allow for increased water storage as well as the increased strength required for low speed and low volume residential driving surfaces.  The approximate structural number SN when using the SG300 / EP300 is around 2.0.  When using Cell-Tek's SG400 Stabilizer Grid the system will achieve a SN of 3.4.

Structural Number:  SN

EP300 / SG300  =  2.0

SG400  =  3.4

For extra strength a geogrid reinforcement can be utilized for improved base performance.  The Gravel-Lok bonding agent adheres the stones with the geogrid much in the way wire mesh does with concrete.

Keep in mind that the system is still gravel.  So every day use and turning on the driving surface over time will cause some surface stones to come loose.  It is impossible to prevent this from happening and will vary according to a variety of factors.  This includes type of stone, size of stone, type of driving, weight of vehicles, turning, climate conditions and other factors which contribute to the everyday use of a driving surface.

Areas which take the most abuse can be repaired by applying more Gravel-Lok.  Additional Gravel-Lok can be applied to these areas when doing the initial installation or later on.  When applying Gravel-Lok on a new driveway a two coat process can be exercised by applying the initial coat and after it tacks up install a thin overlay coat for increased bonding on the top surface.  You will reduce the square foot coverage when doing a driveway application.  Most likely you should yield a coverage of about 10 sft per gallon.  This all depends on the amount of traffic the system will be subject to.

The Gravel-Lok Natural Stone Porous Paving System is an incredible solution for controlling stormwater runoff and and creating decorative and durable paving surfaces.

Gravel-Lok Sample Making Kit

Gravel-Lok Press Release

Cell-Tek announces the launch of their
 New bonded aggregate system, Gravel-Lok

Crofton, MD, August 2009 - Cell-Tek Geosynthetics, manufacturer of geo-cellular confinement systems, announces the launch of their new bonded aggregate system, Gravel-Lok.  This innovative product is the ultimate solution to bond together a wide variety of aggregates including washed stone and pea gravel creating a permeable decorative pavement system without sacrificing the strength.  

Gravel-Lok is a single component, moisture curing liquid scientifically designed to bond together a wide variety of aggregates.  When combined with Cell-Tek's SG Stabilizer Grid base support system the result is a permeable natural stone, durable pavement which can be utilized in a wide variety of civil, residential and industrial applications.  It is an attractive alternative for municipalities, parks and other government projects.  Gravel-Lok creates a permeable decorative natural pavement system which is just as strong as traditional hardscaping with half of the expense. 

A homeowner in Maryland was searching for a solution for a shady area in their yard where they couldn't get grass to grow.  Pavers were going to be too costly and gravel or mulch would have required too much maintenance.  The homeowner approached their contractor, Life Time Pavers, who suggested Gravel-Lok and it was the perfect solution.  The cost of the project was about 45% less than traditional hardscaping.  The owner of Life Time Pavers says "With the system being completely porous, it was the ideal choice to help preserve the natural water flow to the root system of the existing trees.  The natural beauty of the stones and functionality of the space exceeded the customers expectations."   

The system is very simple to install.  The 900 sft project was installed in 2 days.  The contractor excavated the area and then laid down a non-woven geofabric followed by Cell-Tek's 2" Stabilizer Grid.  The grid was then filled with #57 stone open graded aggregate which allows for maximum permeability.  The stabilizer grid confines the infill to prevent lateral movement of the stones and adds strength to the overall system.  The next step was to cover the grid with the decorative stone.  The customer chose 1" Delaware Valley River Jack stone as the earth tone colors blended nicely with the landscape.  The final step was the bonding system.  Gravel-Lok was poured over the stones which bonded them together and in 24 hours the surface was fully functional.

The Gravel-Lok system can be applied to patios, walkways, driveways, streetscapes, nature trails, parking lots, golf cart paths and many more applications.  The beauty of the system is that it creates a flat pavement which is wheelchair and stroller friendly meeting ADA compliance.  The product is also environmentally friendly and non-toxic.  It is an ideal solution for those looking for a less expensive, natural, completely permeable, maintenance-free area.

About Cell-Tek Geosynthetics

Cell-Tek Geosynthetics is an exclusive manufacturer of geosynthetic products used in a multitude of Green Building Applications.  Their systems are the ideal choice when dealing with Load Support, Earth Retention or Slope Protection.  Additionally, Gravel-Lok offers an affordable, eco-friendly product to help keep untidy gravel in place

Applying Gravel-Lok with Watering Can

Solve Beach Pollution with Gravel-Lok

Gravel-Lok: System Cross Section

Product History

In the mid 1990's our chemical laboratory was approached by several historical societies about the problem of bonding together pea gravel for most of the pathways located at their historical public properties.  Back in the late 1700's and 1800's traditional pathways and driveways were constructed of loose decorative stone and pea gravel.  Portland cement was not available until the late 19th century, so most public pathways were crushed gravel or pea gravel mixed with sand or clay.  The problem was how to maintain the historical appearance of the architecture of that time, and making the pea gravel ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) compliant to meet the building practices of the 21st century   The end result had to be a natural crushed gravel or pea gravel surface that is held in place and wheelchair friendly.  The surface would have to withstand the everyday pedestrian traffic associated with public buildings and tourist locations.

The only answer was a moisture curing liquid polymer which became inert after curing.  The polyeurethane liquid enabled the bonding of a wide variety of aggregates and creates a long lasting pavement surface.  Initial projects installed back in the mid 1990's are still performing today without any required maintenance.  The resin is strong enough for driveways as well, but other considerations should be taken when creating a pavement supporting vehicular traffic.

Today the product is available to contractors, builders, architects and homeowners for use across a wide variety of applications.  Visit www.Gravel-Lok.com to learn more about this exciting  product.