A revitalization project was underway for a historic mountain lodge in the hills of North Carolina. The renovation consisted of additional guest rooms, a new pool and spa, as well as the construction of an expansive outdoor event area. The remodel also required a much-needed upgrade to the parking area and the narrow and steep mountain drive that led to the lodge.

The driveway had experienced significant erosion caused by both stormwater and traffic, and because it was the only route in and out of the lodge, was a serious concern and safety issue. This application required a driving surface that would support guest vehicles and delivery traffic, as well as infiltrate stormwater and prevent runoff.

The project’s contractor reached out to his local distributor looking for possible solutions and was referred to NDS.

PERMEABLE PAVERS SOLVE EROSION CONCERNS

The NDS team knew a simple stone drive would rut and erode over time, and the use of asphalt or concrete would not work well with the aesthetics of the lodge so they recommended NDS EZ Roll gravel pavers as the most ideal solution.

Capable of blending in with the beautiful natural environment of the mountains, the gravel pavers would provide an excellent, low maintenance surface that could handle the rigors of ongoing traffic up and down the steep grade and through the parking lot.

The NDS EZ Roll gravel pavers can handle the heaviest loads, offering a compressive strength of 500,000 lbs. when filled – which is more than ASHTO H-20 – one of the industry’s highest load capacities. In addition, the pavers are designed to reduce runoff and infiltrate stormwater, eliminating the issue of erosion previously encountered and resolving the team’s main concern.

DELIVERY AN EASY HAUL

Manufactured in preassembled rolls of approximately 4 ft. x 150 ft.  – for a total of almost 600 sq. ft. each, the product comes palletized, making it much easier to deliver than other products. This was particularly beneficial for the lodge because the pallets were brought in with a U-haul truck since the narrow drive and mountain roads make it near impossible for tractor-trailer deliveries.

While the project had a tight turnaround, the pavers were available locally, and delivery was quick, so the NDS team was able to ensure installation took place on time and as planned.

For the finished stone, the customer chose a high-end slate chip brought in from the NE part of the U.S. It visually matched the extensive stonework around the property and offered an attractive solution for the lodge.

Not only did the driveway and parking area blend in well with the greenery and landscape, the final outcome offered a safe and effective solution to incoming and outgoing traffic. The customer was so pleased with the process, he is planning to install another 3,000 sq. ft. for an additional parking area during the next phase of renovations.