WOVEN AND NON-WOVEN GEOTEXTILES: DIFFERENCES

Geotextiles are employed in the hardscaping sector to improve soil stability. They are made of synthetic materials, usually polyester or polypropylene. Geotextiles are designed to serve the following five purposes: 1.) Dissolution 2.) Strengthening Filtration 3. 5. Drainage and 4. Protection. (Read our blog post on "5 Ways A Geotextile Can Improve Your Hardscape Design" for more information.) We'll discuss the main distinctions between woven and non-woven geotextiles in this blog post.

Woven geotextiles

Narrow film strips are woven together to create woven geotextiles. They serve the purposes of reinforcement and separation. Tensile strength, or the resistance a material possesses to breaking under tension, is the term used to describe woven geotextiles. In general, the feel and appearance of woven materials is more plastic-like. They have a very high load capacity and are frequently used for roads and parking lots despite being largely impervious and without drainage.

Non-woven geotextiles

Separation, filtration, and drainage are a non-woven geotextile's three main purposes. Instead of weaving, these fabrics are made by a procedure called needle punching. Non-woven fabrics have a more felt-like feel and appearance and are identified by their weight (3.4 oz. per square yard, for example). They provide permeability and are frequently employed in applications where filtration and drainage are crucial considerations.

On a single webpage, you can get all the information you need to know about hardscaping fabrics and grids. Find it right here!

Here is a quick summary of each benefit:

TRAITS OF WOVEN GEOTEXTILE

• Separation
• Reinforcement
• High capacity for load
• Tensile strength is referred to
• Impermeable 
• Plastic-like

TRAITS OF NON-WOVEN GEOTEXTILE

• Separation 
• Filtration
• Drainage Measured in Terms of Weight
• Permeable 
• Felt-like

For your hardscape application, choosing the appropriate type of geotextile will help enhance the overall design and essentially extend its longevity. By being knowledgeable and selecting the product best suited for your project, you can prevent callbacks regarding settling or drainage issues. For a convenient reference on the various textiles and grids on the market, download our free Geotextile & Geogrid Pocket Guide.