To help the homeowner comply with local regulations limiting the total amount of impervious surface to 50 percent, Tim Allen, the owner of T&K Outdoors, Inc., recommended a pervious, pour-in-place pavement for this residence near the city of Bemidji, Minn. Porous Pave XLS, which is 100 percent recycled rubber chips with an elastic binder, was used for the pool surround, patios and walkways because it is slip-resistant and impact-absorbing as well as pervious. Its 29 percent void space also helps eliminate standing puddles.

A two-man crew installed a base course of 4''-6'' of aggregate before pouring 1,600 square feet of the XLS material at 1.5''-deep.

The project also included a driveway and front walkway installed with 1,600 square feet of the XL formulation poured at a two-inch depth. A more heavy-duty material, it consists of 50 percent stone aggregate and 50 percent recycled rubber chips with a binding agent.

Near the city of Bemidji in Northern Minnesota, a 10,000 square-foot wooded lot, just 1,000 feet up from the shores of Lake Andrusia, offers an idyllic setting for a beautiful 5,000 square-foot home. Just one problem. Local building codes limit the total amount of impervious surface on residential properties to 50 percent.

That left no allowance for a paved driveway, patio or pool area – unless they were installed with a permeable or pervious paving material. Tim Allen, owner of T&K Outdoors, Inc., was the landscape contractor who solved the problem.

''The township gives only a 50 percent credit for permeable pavers, so they were not an option. We had to go with a pervious alternative,'' said Allen. ''I had done more than 75 projects with Porous Pave. I had confidence in recommending it to the homeowner.''

Made in the U.S.A., the pavement material is highly porous, flexible and durable, and is poured in place like concrete. The XL formulation consists of 50 percent recycled rubber chips and 50 percent stone aggregate with a binding agent. XLS is 100 percent recycled rubber chips with a more elastic binder. Engineered with 29 percent void space, the product infiltrates stormwater on site by allowing water to flow through its surface, filter down through the compacted aggregate base on which it is poured, and then seep into the soil.

A two-man crew installed a base course of 4-6 inches of aggregate for the pool surround, patio and walkways and 14-20 inches for the driveway to maximize retention.

They then poured 1,600 square feet of two-inch-deep XL for the driveway and front entry. To create a non-slip surface that is also more impact absorbing for the patio, walkways and pool surround, Allen used the XLS formulation at 1.5 inches deep on another 1,600 square feet.

''Because it is porous, there are no standing puddles of water around the pool,'' said Allen. ''With the rubber chips and textured surface, it is a safe, slip-resistant pavement. I recommend and install it for playgrounds as well as pool areas.''

The one-quarter inch chips from discarded tires are infused with dyes and UV inhibitors to make the colors fade resistant. Allen created a custom color by combining standard redwood and tan color chips. ''It looks great. It complements the stone of our exterior,'' said the homeowner. ''The pool area and walkways are comfortable to walk on and do not get slippery when wet.''

The cost to contractors for the material only, not including shipping and installation, is about $4 to $6 per square foot.

''It was a five-day job, two for prep and three for the pour,'' said Allen. ''Installing pavers for an equivalent size project would take twice as long.''