Woven vs Nonwoven Geotextile Fabric | Choosing the Correct Geotextile for Your Project

Geotextiles are a crucial part of hardscape projects to separate, reinforce, and allow for drainage, and filtration. Though not every type of fabric is suitable for every application in a hardscape project and there are several variables that need to be considered when deciding on the fabric to use.

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Woven geotextile fabric is made of polypropylene filaments connected to a network that provide more stabilization strength than the non-woven geotextile. This geotextile is going to provide separation, filtration, and reinforcement strength when installed.

Woven geotextile fabric will be used in heavier dynamic and static load projects such as driveways to add additional reinforcement to the base by spreading the load out over a greater area. Where the subsoil is soft and unstable or water is less likely to permeate through a subgrade, woven geotextile is likely what you will opt for as drainage into the subgrade is not as important. However, this does not mean that drainage is not important for that particular project. Drainage is always important, and since we are not getting the proper drainage that we would need when deciding to opt for a woven geotextile, we need to install a drainage system for that project using perforated or solid pipes and drains to collect that water and exfiltrate it out of the system. Otherwise you are creating a reservoir for that water to stand and cause issues over time.

Non woven geotextile fabric is made of polypropylene fibers that are randomly connected through a network. These fibers are small components of the network creating a felt-like feel to it. This geotextile is going to provide separation, filtration, and drainage when installed.

The main difference between woven geotextile vs non woven geotextile is the drainage and reinforcement property. Non woven geotextile is a water permeable landscape fabric. With drainage being the aspect in which non woven geotextile fabrics excel when compared to woven geotextile, this becomes a primary focus for areas of projects that require that drainage ability. This means projects that experience pedestrian traffic, low dynamic loads, low static loads, hard subgrades, and require the ability to drain freely, then non woven geotextile fabric is the best option.

This is key in projects that require the separation of material from cross-contamination while possessing the ability to allow water to drain through it such as a French drain. In this application, a perforated drainage pipe is surrounded by a clean stone and wrapped all the way around with a non woven geotextile filter fabric. The water from the surface can permeate through the non woven geotextile, through the clean stone, and into the drainage pipe. This ensures the filtration of water through the fabric without displacing any of the material around it. The same can be said in hardscape projects that require the same function.

Another hardscape application that is specific to non woven geotextile would be a concrete overlay. We know that the base of our concrete overlay is a hard material that does not require stabilization or reinforcement. What we require is for any water that enters the system to drain through and filter out of the system. This is why a non woven geotextile is always recommended in this application.

When installing a geotextile, the minimum overlap from one piece to another is 12" with this increasing as the softer the subgrade is. In addition to this, the pieces should be shingled away from a foundation meaning the pieces from the foundation should be placed under the next piece. This allows the water to travel from piece to piece away from the foundation without moving underneath a piece of fabric. As the geotextile is rolled out and cut, the pieces need to be in tension as the base material is being prepared on top of it. This means that all of the wrinkles need to be removed before dumping gravel on top and preparing your base. It is best to limit the amount of cutting of the fabric as possible. It is also important when installing a fabric for your project, that it will wrap up the sides of the project to further provide separation of the subgrade from the sides into the base material.

[mtbiker]

The clearest and best explanation I've read through all my searches.

[spruce_goose]

One of the better explanations I've come across. I think a lot of so-called 'experts' are actually pretty confused by these product differences, but this is spot on.

[JJ_eats_wings]

Everybody has different learning styles. This is perfect for me.

Very few channels summarize knowledge and explain why. But you do. I like it.

[DH-fodx]

So informative! I have been trying to determine which material to use in a1000ft gravel driveway over hard compacted clay, and I've been told by different contractors the benefit of both. I am big on technical specifics and appreciate the great detail and explanations you gave. Woven it is for me. Thank you for the assist.

[markpinther]

Fantastic explanation of the WHY to use fabric with the included image was really helpful. Nice work.

[frankrodriguez]

Excellent explanations. I like the way you cover every single detail about both materials and the proper install. Looking forward to see more of your videos. Very instructional. Thanks a lot.

[LuminairPrime]

TLDR: non-woven is for drains. It separates the soil types and extends the life of the gravel. Thicker fabric is for when the thinner stuff would rip during install. Lap the fabric over itself so it stays together. And for what it's worth, when I dug up an old drain, the fabric (and spikes) had shifted all over the place, so when I installed it back, I used a bead of polyurethane sealant (Quad Max) to fasten the fabric laps together.

[G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Very comprehensive. Thanks for clearly (though perhaps too quickly) distinguishing between the two types of i wish I would have found your channel before I watched all of those other - less satisfying - videos.

[javedsheikh]

You are a highly knowledgeable and detailed tradesman. I watch your videos alt. I learn many things from you. Because you have so much detailed information to share your slightly faster speech pattern is sometime
S hard to focus on when I want to not miss any detail you share. I have to rewind many times to fathom everything you share. If you could slightly decrease your speech it would be
Awesome. If you can’t no worries. I would still love to listen to your videos. Congratulations you are an intelligent individual

[Reelphresh]

Thank you for your expertly explained video. You well informed me on the two types and I greatly appreciate it.

[EverettDiane]

Great explanation of proper usage for us amateurs. Very helpful!

[carlw]

Yet again another very useful and informative video!!! Thanks.
Mike's a hardscape monster 😀

[tspfull]

I am building a raised paver patio with a 3' high retaining wall and 40x10 permeable paver patio on top. I initially planned to use woven (SRW SS5) all throughout because i have a mix of sandy and clay soils and thought that would be best for stability. After excavation I saw that the base of the retaining wall had most of the clay and the soil higher was much more sandy. After that experience and watching your video I decided to use the woven under the wall to help stabilize the soil that has more clay content. I am already planning to use biaxial geogrid to stabilize patio area so I will use non woven behind the wall drainage aggregate and in the patio area since drainage is more important there. The geogrid will help to tie the patio and wall together.

[jimhendrix]

My first vid watch!! Awesome information and wicked editing!! Gud job my friend

[jmpersic]

Wow, this was a really good overview of these materials. Thanks!

[GRDDAN]

Wow just learned something new. It’s kinda common sense but I appreciate to learn thank you.

[frizellculley]

I have studying this problem for some time. This is dame help… thank you ☺️

[amandadewet]

Choose your own listening speed. Go to settings on youtube select speed. Tap top right on screen, tap on the gear like image. Pick your speed.

[geofantex]

Very great video, this is what i like. And i found that the non-woven geotextile like what we supplied 3‘ x 100' roll.

[mitchellkasdin]

So to clarify with having spoken to a manufacturer, the non-woven is geo textile has good flow through rates. I recall a 92% permeability property, but since the fabric is on the ground the rate of absorption into the soil is a determining factor. The ground will absorb at a given rate, although you have a permeable substrate. Therefore, pouring a drink through the material onto the ground is not how the material necessarily works. There are also different weights or thickness for the non woven geo textile, depending on the application. Soil types, slope or pitch would increase or decrease the flow-through of liquids, water, fruit juice, etc. I’ve also used fabric staples and punctured the woven geo textile throughout when doing xeriscape over large areas. The woven geo textile is much less money then non woven.