When you need to reinforce grassed surfaces such as overspill parking, access paths, or lawns, it’s important to choose the right ground‑reinforcement system. At Farm Forestry, we offer a range of high-performance products from turf mesh to heavy-duty reinforcement meshes and porous pavers that protect and stabilise delicate grass areas while keeping a natural finish.
In this post, we’ll explore the key options, explaining when and why to use each, and how they benefit your site in the long term.
Why Reinforce the Ground?
Without reinforcement, grassed areas exposed to traffic (vehicles or foot) quickly suffer rutting, smearing, and compaction. Reinforcement systems help by:
- Distributing loads over a wider area
- Protecting the root zone
- Preserving surface appearance
- Offering permeability (water drains naturally)
- Integrating with the turf for a clean, green look
These benefits make reinforced grass ideal for car parks, field access, footpaths, and even lawn areas used by vehicles.
Key Reinforcement Solutions from Farm Forestry
1. Turf Reinforcement Mesh
One of the most commonly used solutions, turf reinforcement mesh, is a durable polyethylene grid that lies on top of the grass, allowing roots to grow through and anchor into it over time.
- Our Turf Reinforcement Mesh (2 m × 25 m) is made from UV-stabilised, recycled polyethylene. It’s ideal for lawn reinforcement, footpaths, and occasional vehicle use.
- Because the mesh weaves into the grass, once the grass grows through the apertures, the mesh virtually disappears, creating a subtle but strong reinforcement layer.
- Fixing is simple, common “U” pins or pegs can secure the mesh to the ground.
Use cases: Car park overspill, lawn parking, buggy/wheelchair paths, slope stabilisation.
2. Heavy-Duty Reinforcement Meshes (GP Flex Series)
For more heavily used grass surfaces, such as regular car access or high footfall paths, Farm Forestry offers GP Flex meshes in several grades:
- GP Flex 1000 (1000 g/m²) is suitable for pedestrian areas, wheelchair routes, and very occasional car parking.
- GP Flex 1400 (1400 g/m²) provides extra strength and slip resistance for less-frequent car parks, walkways, and equestrian paths.
- GP Flex 1800 (1800 g/m²) is our premium heavy-duty option, designed specifically for parking areas. It features an oscillated polyethylene mesh reinforced with EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) to improve traction and slip resistance by 33% (tested to BS 7976-2). Ideal for areas prone to wear, rutting, or slippage.
Key benefit: These meshes combine high load-bearing capacity with slip-resistant surfaces, making them ideal for both vehicles and pedestrians. All GP Flex meshes are SUDS-compliant, allowing water to drain naturally.
3. Porous Pavers (“Grid Pave”)
For very high load or permanent vehicle routes, fully porous pavers are a strong option.
- Gridpave is made from 100% recycled plastic (PP/PE) and supports heavy loads — up to 18 tonnes per square metre when correctly installed in the ground.
- These pavers can be filled with sharp gravel or seeded with grass, making them flexible for both “green” parking zones and more stable surfaces.
- Because of their strength and permeability, they’re ideal for SUDS-compliant car parks, permanent driveways, or emergency vehicle access routes.
Choosing the Right Solution: What to Consider
When deciding which reinforcement system to use, ask yourself:
- How heavily will the area be used?
- Occasional cars = turf mesh
- Regular vehicles = GP Flex 1400 or 1800, or pavers
- What type of load do you need to support?
- Pedestrians or pushchairs = lighter mesh
- Cars or emergency vehicles = GP Flex 1800 or grid pavers
- Do you want a completely natural look?
- Grass-reinforcing meshes preserve a green surface
- Pavers can be seeded or gravelled
- Ground conditions / drainage
- If flooding or water retention is a concern, SUDS-compliant products (mesh, pavers) are a strong choice as water can drain naturally.
Installation Best Practices
- Prepare the ground by mowing and clearing any debris.
- Lay the mesh/pavers on a flat surface. Mesh should overlap slightly to maintain tensile strength.
- Pin down mesh securely (using “U” pins or “T” pegs).
- Seed or let grass grow through mesh if needed; give it ample time to integrate before heavy use.
- Regularly inspect the area for wear or mesh uplift, especially after high use.
Conclusion: Reinforcement That Works and Looks Natural
At Farm Forestry, our ground reinforcement solutions strike a balance between durability and aesthetics. Whether you’re protecting an overspill car park, a garden path, or a lawn area, our turf mesh, GP Flex heavy-duty meshes, and porous pavers provide long-term stability without compromising the natural feel of the landscape.
If you’d like help choosing the best reinforcement products for your project, or need advice on installation, our team is ready to support you every step of the way- Call us on 01588 650 496.
