Artificial grass decking tile 3 or 4 cm HZ "Green Artificial Grass"

Water permeability, also known as hydraulic conductivity, describes the ability of a porous material to absorb and allow the passage of water. In the case of floor coverings, this is measured by the water infiltration rate, which indicates the quantity of water that, under the influence of gravity, penetrates and percolates through the material within one hour.

A scale ranging from 1 to 5 is used for classifying water permeability. A rating of 1 corresponds to a water infiltration rate of 0 mm/h, indicating nearly complete water impermeability. In contrast, a rating of 5 represents high water permeability with an infiltration rate of approx. 1000 mm/h – meaning around 1000 litres of water per square metre per hour can be absorbed. This classification is based on test results from representative tiles that have been interpolated for the respective product.

The water permeability of a material may change over time, particularly if the pore structure becomes blocked by external influences. This can occur, for example, when sand penetrates the surface or due to insufficient cleaning, as is often the case with livestock mats.

High water permeability, with ratings between 3 and 5, offers significant advantages in outdoor applications. In newly designed areas, elaborate drainage systems or surface gradients are often unnecessary, as rainwater can seep directly through the tile covering. This prevents puddle formation and ensures that the area remains permeable. Additionally, since the underlying substrate is not sealed, this property contributes to the environmental friendliness of the covering.

Tiles with low or no water permeability, classified with ratings 1 and 2, are thus only suitable for indoor use or covered spaces.

Thermal insulation, also known as heat insulation, refers to measures that reduce the exchange of heat between an object or space and its surroundings. This heat transfer occurs through three physical mechanisms: conduction, radiation and convection.

Conduction describes the transfer of heat by direct molecular contact within a material. Substances with low thermal conductivity, such as insulating materials, reduce this effect. Radiation occurs via electromagnetic waves and can be influenced by materials that reflect or absorb heat. Convection refers to the transport of heat by moving fluids or gases and can be minimised by appropriate material structures.

A key parameter for thermal insulation is thermal conductivity, measured in watts per metre per Kelvin (W/(m-K)). It indicates the amount of heat that passes through a material one metre thick in one second when there is a temperature difference of one Kelvin between its two sides. The lower the value, the better the insulating properties of the material.

Rubber has a thermal conductivity of between 0.13 and 0.18 W/(m-K), depending on its composition. The thermal conductivity of WARCO rubber granules is between 0.14 and 0.07 W/(m-K). These values are based on measurements taken on representative samples and interpolated for the product.

The actual thermal conductivity of rubber granulate slabs is significantly influenced by the density, texture and thickness of the material. A thicker slab with a pronounced drainage profile and a density of 800 kg/m³ will have a significantly lower thermal conductivity than a compact 8 mm thick slab with a density of 1200 kg/m³.

For comparison: Highly insulating materials such as extruded polystyrene (XPS), glass wool or mineral wool have a thermal conductivity of around 0.03 W/(m-K), while dense natural stone such as marble has a much higher value of around 2.8 W/(m-K).

Resistant to frost and freezing water within the material – no cracking, tearing or breaking.