NDS EZ Roll® Grass Pavers – An Overview

If you’re looking for a green, permeable surface that supports vehicles while maintaining a natural turf look, the NDS EZ Roll® Grass Pavers system is a top choice. This guide walks you through how it works, where it works, installation tips, plus a real-world case study to illustrate success in the field.

What Are EZ Roll® Grass Pavers?

EZ Roll® Grass Pavers are roll-out honeycomb plastic panels designed for turf surfaces that must carry vehicle loads — from golf carts, to emergency access lanes, to landscaped parking. Unlike traditional paving (asphalt/concrete) or loose gravel, this system lets turf survive and thrive beneath traffic while maintaining permeability and green aesthetics.

Key Features & Performance

• Exceptional strength: Unfilled compressive strength approximately 53,683 psf; supports H-20 and H-25 loads when properly engineered.
• Roll format: Available in large rolls (e.g., 3.96 ft × 152 ft covering ~602 sq ft).
• Honeycomb cell structure: Each 2 ft × 2 ft section features 72 nested hexagonal cells with shared walls to protect the root zone and reduce compaction.
• Permeability & turf friendly: Because infill is soil (not sand), the system supports healthy turf growth, allowing infiltration of water and reducing runoff.
• Sustainable manufacturing: Made in USA, HDPE with UV inhibitors, made with recycled content; contributes to LEED credits.

Applications & When to Use It

EZ Roll® Grass Pavers excel in any scenario where you want a green surface that can handle traffic — while preserving turf and promoting drainage. Common uses include:

• Emergency vehicle access lanes and fire apparatus roads
• Overflow parking and event lawns
• Golf cart paths, lawn-parking, maintenance access roads
• Driveways or lanes in environmentally sensitive areas where runoff reduction is a priority

Because the system maintains permeability, it helps reduce stormwater runoff and supports sustainable site design — a big plus for landscape architects and specifiers.

Installation Overview

1. Prepare the subgrade. Confirm the soil will drain and bear the expected loads, correct as needed.
2. Roll out the panels. EZ Roll® comes pre-assembled in rolls; lay out, connect via top-down locking tabs, and trim as required.
3. Add infill and plant turf. Use a suitable soil media, then seed or sod. The turf grows through the honeycomb cells and is protected from compaction.
4. Finish and maintain. Monitor turf establishment, check for any damaged sections, and maintain like standard turf area — mowing, fertilizing, and spot-repair as needed.

Design Tips & Considerations

• Soil & drainage matter: Even though the paver adds strength, the subgrade and drainage still must be managed. Poor draining soils may need an under-drain.
• Edge restraint: At transitions (e.g., to sidewalk or asphalt) use proper edge containment to keep the panels and turf stable under traffic.
• Turf selection: Choose a hardy turf species suited for traffic and wear — e.g., tall fescue or turf-type rye in many climates.
• Maintenance access: Plan for mowing, edging, and potential turf repair even though the system protects the root zone.
• Sustainable landscape benefit: Because the surface remains green and permeable, it supports landscape goals and stormwater management objectives.

Case Study Snapshot

Project: A municipal park required overflow parking for events but didn’t want to sacrifice lawn aesthetics or increase impervious area.

Solution: They installed NDS EZ Roll® Grass Pavers over the event zone. Rolls were connected, soil infilled, seeded, and after a few weeks the turf established. The system supported compact SUVs, event vehicles, and pedestrian flow without rutting or mud build-up.

Result: The park retained a natural lawn appearance between events, handled traffic when needed, and the vision of “green parking” turned into reality. Maintenance was minimal – just standard mowing and an occasional reseed in high-traffic zones.

Maintenance Guidelines

• Mow according to turf species; avoid scalping.
• Fertilize and irrigate as appropriate – though good drainage helps moderate watering.
• Inspect for any damaged panels or turf areas after heavy use; replace panels if necessary.
• Overseeding high-traffic zones annually or bi-annually helps maintain turf cover.

FAQs

For more detailed technical legend, installation drawings, and specification documents, refer to NDS’s official literature on EZ Roll® Grass Pavers.