Woven Vs Non-Woven Geotextile Fabric: Which is Best?

For more difference between woven and non woven geotextileinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Geotextile fabrics are making a huge difference to modern construction by stabilising the ground, improving drainage and filtration, separating aggregates and spreading imposed loads. Ensuring you choose the right geotextile fabric for your project means understanding the differences between them &#; a key one being whether they are woven or non-woven.

Woven Geotextile

Woven geotextile fabric is made by weaving polypropylene tapes together. Using this crisscross pattern makes the fabric super-strong but limits its drainage capabilities compared with the non-woven variety. The strength and hardwearing qualities of woven geotextile, such as that in the Groundtex product range, give it a high tensile strength, making it suitable for use under patios, paths, parking areas and for other applications where a high strength but economical membrane is essential.

Non-Woven Geotextile

Although non-woven geotextile has a lower tensile strength than the woven type, it still offers great strength, durability and excellent drainage properties. Non-woven geotextile is a felt-like fabric made by thermally bonding polypropylene or a mixture of polypropylene and polyester fibres and then finishing using needle punching, calendering and other methods. This type of geotextile fabric is easier to cut, has a high water permeability rate and does not lose strength over time, in the same way as the woven fabric does, when used below ground. This makes it ideal for use beneath driveways and roads and in land and stormwater drainage systems, where long-term ground stabilisation and filtration is required.

Within the Product That Works range Drivetex, with its strength and longevity, is best for areas subject to vehicular traffic, whilst Draintex, with its superior drainage and filtration qualities that allow water through but keep soil and silt out, is ideal for lining land (French) drains and wrapping water attenuation and soakaway crates. For more demanding projects with high volumes of traffic expected or large imposed loads, our Earthworx NW fits the bill.

Geo Fabric Product Selector

Woven or non-woven, geotextiles can be a landscaper&#;s best friend. Whether you need ground stabilisation, separation of sub-base layers, aggregates and other materials, or drainage and filtration, there is now a geotextile fabric that&#;s right for the job. Make sure you select the right one each time with our handy Geo Fabric Product Selector.

And don&#;t forget to download our Landscaping That Works &#; Your Essential Guide to Weed Control & Geotextile Fabrics too.

Find out more about how the geotextile fabrics from Product That Works can work for you by contacting our helpful and expert team on 197 or .

Written by Joshua Venters | Layfield Geosynthetics

The use of geotextiles has steadily grown over the past century. Geotextiles were initially derived from existing textiles readily available on the market, such as carpet back and upholstery fabric. Manufacturers have modified geotextiles to provide increased benefits to roadway construction. While there are two main types (wovens and nonwovens), there often needs to be more clarity about which product to use on your Jobsite. Common misconceptions about the functions of a woven geotextile vs. a nonwoven geotextile can often lead to added confusion. This tech note will detail the two main types of geotextiles and their functions.

For more information, please visit dimple sheet.

Woven geotextiles:

First-generation woven geotextiles were made of slit tapes. Slit tapes are extruded flat yarns woven at 90-degree angles to yield a durable textile. Due to their wide smooth surface, they have very poor water permittivity and low soil interaction properties. These factors make them a poor choice for civil applications, especially in wet conditions. 

Over time, the development of high-performance woven geotextiles has led to a more effective material. These developments have improved flow rates and higher interaction coefficients, making them more suitable for civil applications by providing separation, confinement, and reinforcement. They also allow for enhanced filtration and drainage.

Nonwoven Geotextiles:

Similar to wovens, nonwoven geotextiles are made using a synthetic textile. However, they have a more random structure produced by the interlocking of fibers. Wovens and nonwovens are used in similar applications, leading to confusion. The easiest way to identify the difference between a woven and nonwoven geotextile is by its physical attributes. Nonwoven geotextiles look and feel like felt, with the characteristic &#;fuzzy&#; look to the material.

When it comes to manufacturing a nonwoven geotextile, many different methods are used today. The most common manufacturing method is needle-punching. Needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles are made by taking a large number of small fiber fibers and using a barbed needle to interlock the fibers together. Nonwoven geotextiles provide separation, filtration, and drainage functions when used in a civil application.

The differences between woven and nonwoven geotextiles can be challenging when looking at material specifications. Generally, wovens have higher strength values, while nonwovens have higher flow rates and permittivity. The easiest way to distinguish the difference between the two materials is by starting with elongation. Nonwovens will have much higher elongation than woven. A nonwoven specification will list the elongation as greater than 50%, while a woven will be listed as between 5% and 25% if listed.

The following chart shows two examples of standard specifications for traditional and nonwoven materials. There are significant differences regarding their elongation and permittivity. However, tensile strengths are similar because they are manufactured from similar materials. All of these items are important to consider when choosing the correct type of geotextile for your application. It&#;s essential to ensure you use the right product for the right reasons.

Weight of Nonwovens:

Another point of confusion is the weight of the differences between woven and nonwoven geotextiles. In both examples below, the weights are not listed. The weight of a woven geotextile is rarely specified. The reason is that they are typically used to provide separation and reinforcement and are not dependent on weight.

Conversely, the weight of a nonwoven geotextile is often specified, which is why you will typically hear or say, &#;I am looking for an 8oz, 4oz, 10oz, etc.&#; Nonwoven geotextiles have been measured by their weight for a long time, meaning the finished product would be 8oz per square yard. The remainder of the specifications, which include the strength, puncture, etc., would directly result from the product weight.

As the use of geotextiles has grown and developed, the manufacturing processes have also changed. Now, most nonwovens can be manufactured with a lighter weight and still achieve the same strength properties, reducing costs. There are always exceptions, such as in the case of using nonwovens as cushion geotextiles underneath geomembranes. In such instances, the puncture, weight, and thickness properties are more critical than the permittivity and strength properties.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of dimple sheet made in china china. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.