What is Flexamat?
Flexamat is a vegetated concrete block mat with an erosion control blanket underlayment. The concrete blocks are locked together and embedded into a high-strength geogrid. The mat allows for flexibility due to the 1.5 spacing between the blocks and it also allows for optional vegetation growth. It’s easy to transport and install because of how it’s packaged into rolls.
It is a permanent erosion control solution that has a wide variety of applications such as preventing shoreline erosion. The mat is not only designed to control erosion but also provides a stable driving or walking surface. There are different types of Flexamat including Standard, Plus, and 10NW as well as different types of interlocking geogrid. The appropriate type depends on needs, site conditions and application. There is even a flame-resistant Flexamat that has been developed for applications that might encounter controlled burns or wildfires.
Uses for Flexamat
Flexamat is primarily used to stabilize slopes, channels, low water crossings, inlet/outlet protection, and shorelines. It can protect any area where soil can be moved by water runoff. There are many applications and uses for Flexamat including:
Airport Erosion Control: Meets FAA height restrictions and requirements for use in obstacle-free areas adjacent to runways, taxiways, and ramps.
Department of Transportation: It offers a permanent solution to roadside erosion. Flexamat is utilized on new highway construction and by the maintenance departments for repairs.
Drivable Surfaces: It provides a stable driving surface for access roads, boat ramps, low water crossings, and parking areas.
Energy: It is frequently used by energy and utility companies for low water maintenance crossings at wind farms and other remote sites.
Flood Control: It’s rapidly installed for emergency flood control and is an important component of flood mitigation plans in hurricane and tropical storm-prone areas.
Inlet & Outlet: It provides the best solution for inlet and outlet protection at storm water pipes.
Landfills: Protect letdowns, perimeter ditches, and spillways with Flexamat. Flexamat can be driven over with vehicles and equipment. It offers a flexible, vegetated solution.
River and Streambanks: Will stabilize stream and riverbanks while maintaining their natural environment.
Schools: Flexamat can be mowed with commercial mowing equipment all while providing support for the turf, which prevents rutting. Drainage areas are notoriously difficult to maintain and often become overgrown. Flexamat enables safe maintenance of these areas.
Shorelines: Stops erosion caused by waves, ice, burrowing muskrat/nutria, and other aquatic species. Permanently armor shorelines against erosion while aesthetically conforming to the landscape.
Flexamat erosion control is an innovative and cost-effective solution to some of the toughest problems out there when it comes to controlling water flow and protecting lake and pond banks and shorelines. It’s made up of a natural coarse surface, is a high-performance solution, wildlife safe, easy and fast to install, and allows stormwater infiltration.
Reasons to Choose Flexamat
There are many reasons to choose Flexamat as a solution for protecting lake and pond banks and shorelines, as well as other areas. It is an environmentally-friendly solution, working with nature and not against it. The establishment of perennial vegetation works to increase infiltration of stormwater runoff into the soil, which increases the removal of pollutants found in road and parking lots runoff through filtration and phytoremediation. Since it offers Phytoremediation, it also reduces thermal impact.
Flexamat is quick to install and easy to maintain. The roll design makes the installation process simple. It’s safe to mow over and will conform to the landscape. Vehicles can drive over it. Pedestrians and wildlife can also safely walk across. It aesthetically conforms with the surrounding landscape.
Flexamat reduces construction costs, discourages graffiti, improves water quality, and offers high performance.
Flexamat is sold globally. Flexamat is considered an effective and long-term solution.