(Brick-lined TrueGrid driveway | Photo courtesy of Burton Restoration)
TrueGrid Pro Plus is a permeable paving system designed to help reshape infrastructure with a focus on improving environmental health while providing protection from erosion. The creator of TrueGrid and the company’s CEO, Barry Stiles, had a very personal reason to develop the product.
“Barry Stiles was profoundly impacted when his child battled cancer. This life-changing experience led him to scrutinize the toxins present in everyday environments and rethink how infrastructure could contribute to a healthier world. Determined to make a difference, Stiles envisioned a paving system that not only served functional needs but also minimized environmental harm and reduced exposure to harmful substances,” said Joe Burton of Burton Restoration, a local general contractors firm that focuses on restoration projects that often incorporate TrueGrid.
TrueGrid utilizes a patented interlocking grid system made from 100% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The grid structure is designed with thick-walled cells and integrated flex joints, which allow it to withstand high traffic and heavy loads, including commercial vehicles.
The system works by capturing and filtering stormwater, providing ground stabilization, supporting vegetation growth and preventing cracks or erosion. “Instead of shedding water like traditional pavement, TrueGrid allows rainwater to infiltrate through the surface, reducing flooding and erosion. The grid structure prevents rutting and soil displacement, making it ideal for driveways, parking lots, and industrial applications. Some installations use TrueGrid with grass or gravel, creating a natural aesthetic while maintaining durability,” said Burton.
Discussing the factor of durability and future maintenance, Burton said, “The built-in flex joints help TrueGrid adapt to ground movement, preventing cracks and damage common in concrete and asphalt. TrueGrid can last 25 to 60+ years, often outlasting asphalt and performing as well as or better than concrete.”
A local project that has seen promising results is the restoration of the Bend nonprofit Think Wild. Burton Restoration utilized TrueGrid technology in the restoration, resulting in a number of benefits, while also creating the first ADA compliant walkway and parking area in Deschutes County that does not rely on concrete or asphalt.
The Think Wild restoration utilized 1,840 square feet of TrueGrid Pro Plus, resulting in: 5.46 tons of CO₂ being saved, 2,429 pounds of recycled plastic being reused and 4,404 gallons of stormwater detained.
“This project is groundbreaking because it demonstrates that ADA-compliant surfaces can be achieved without traditional paving materials, setting a precedent for future sustainable infrastructure projects in Deschutes County,” said Burton. “TrueGrid qualifies for four LEED certifications (Stormwater Management, Recycled Content, Innovation & Design, Materials & Resources), reinforcing its environmental impact.”
An additional project shows the versatility of TrueGrid; Burton Restorations was approached by a homeowner with a wooden deck in severe disrepair. The deck was supporting a layer of two-inch brick pavers, and it became clear that improper load management had made the deck unstable, with rot compromising its structural integrity.
With a series of modifications, Burton Restoration installed a TrueGrid deck. Three years later, the homeowners are happy to report that the deck has none of the issues it had in the past.
Now with the Think Wild restoration, Burton Restoration is confident that we’ll see more eco-friendly paving projects in Deschutes County — now that TrueGrid has achieved this milestone.
