Outdoor Stone Carpet: Permeable for Balconies, Terraces and Paths
For outdoor areas, Terra System installs open-pore natural stone carpet systems that let rainwater drain away – on balconies, terraces, paths and wash areas.
Discuss your stone carpet projectStone carpet consists of small, carefully selected natural stones bound with solvent-free binders. Outdoors, we give it the right properties for the job: open-pore and permeable where water should drain, or sealed and liquid-tight where the substrate needs protecting.
Permeable instead of sealed
Thanks to its open-pore structure, rainwater drains through the surface instead of standing on it, so no puddles form. With a suitable sub-base, the stone carpet is fully permeable.
LGA Bautechnik measured the water infiltration: the infiltration rate k* of the samples was between 0.354 and 0.534 cm/s – many times the minimum of 0.01 cm/s required for sports grounds.
As strong as paving
LGA also tested the compressive strength to DIN 18136, on granite and coloured-quartz surfaces 2 to 5 cm thick. Depending on grading and thickness, values range from 5.2 to 14.4 MN/m², which the test report places in the usual range for outdoor paving stones.
| Sample | Grading | Thickness | Compressive strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granite | 1–3 mm | 2 / 4 / 5 cm | 12.57 / 9.07 / 9.92 MN/m² |
| Granite | 2–4 mm | 2 / 4 / 5 cm | 14.40 / 8.21 / 9.22 MN/m² |
| Granite | 3–7 mm | 2 / 4 / 5 cm | 10.68 / 5.23 / 5.51 MN/m² |
| Coloured quartz | 2–3.5 mm | 2 / 4 / 5 cm | 12.18 / 6.81 / 5.85 MN/m² |
Systems for outdoor use
Depending on location and load, we choose one of the outdoor SCS systems:
| System | Application | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| SCS-001 | Outdoor areas and wash areas (floors) | Open-pore, drainage possible (with suitable sub-base) |
| SCS-011 | Outdoor areas and wash areas with higher mechanical loads (floors) | Open-pore, drainage possible (with suitable sub-base), partial sealing for stability |
| SCS-111 | Outdoor areas (floors) | Sealed pores, no drainage, liquid-tight |
| SCS-013 | Sheltered outdoor areas (walls) | Partial sealing |
Where outdoor stone carpet is used
- Balconies
- Terraces
- Entrances, paths and access routes
- Wash areas
- Outdoor stairs
- Sheltered walls
Benefits outdoors
- Seamless look
- Colourfast, because the colour comes from the natural stone itself
- Slip-resistant and abrasion-resistant
- Quick and easy to clean
- Robust and durable
- Combines well with other materials
Surfaces for vehicles
For areas with vehicle traffic – paths, squares and traffic areas – we use the PWS systems from our paths and squares range. They are permeable, elastic and dimensionally stable under heavy traffic loads, with up to 40 % void content. The Testing Institute for Transport Infrastructure at TU Munich has studied resin-bound pavements of this kind for traffic areas with a share of heavy vehicles.
How your project runs
- 1
Enquiry
Area, location and substrate – photos welcome.
- 2
Advice
Choice of SCS system: permeable or liquid-tight, colour and grading.
- 3
Quote
Your quote, based on area, sub-base and system.
- 4
Installation
Seamless installation by our team.
Outdoor stone carpet: FAQ
Is stone carpet permeable?
+
Yes, the open-pore systems SCS-001 and SCS-011 are permeable with a suitable sub-base. LGA measured infiltration rates of 0.354 to 0.534 cm/s – many times the 0.01 cm/s minimum required for sports grounds.
Can stone carpet be laid on a balcony?
+
Yes. Balconies and terraces use the outdoor systems SCS-001, SCS-011 or – where the substrate must be protected by a liquid-tight surface – SCS-111.
How strong is outdoor stone carpet?
+
LGA measured compressive strengths of 5.2 to 14.4 MN/m², depending on grading and thickness – in the usual range for outdoor paving stones, according to the test report.
Can vehicles drive on stone carpet?
+
For areas with vehicle traffic we recommend the PWS systems from our paths and squares range. They are permeable and dimensionally stable under heavy traffic loads.
What does outdoor stone carpet cost?
+
The price depends on the area, the existing substrate and sub-base, the system and the choice of stone. Send us dimensions and photos and we will send you a concrete quote.
How is outdoor stone carpet cleaned?
+
Stone carpet is quick and easy to clean. Because the colour comes from the natural stone itself, the surface stays colourfast.
Downloads and test reports
Stone carpet for your outdoor area?
Tell us about the area, location and substrate – we will recommend the right system.
Discuss your stone carpet project