Installation Guide

Geotextile Prep

Lay a geotextile in the base of the area where Glavel will be installed. A nonwoven geotextile that weighs 4oz/yd with 120 grab tensile strength is recommended. This helps keep Glavel separated from other materials and fines over time. 

Install Glavel

Install Glavel into the specified area. If bags are being used, they can be moved around site with an excavator or crane and emptied directly into the specified area. If Glavel is being used in bulk it can be moved into the specified area with a loader, excavator, bobcat, etc. Avoid driving machinery over Glavel as much because that may cause overcompaction. 

Level Glavel

Depending on the size of the specified install area, Glavel should be leveled by small machinery such as a bobcat with a laser leveler attached or by hand with rakes. Leveling the area to a rough flatness will ease the compaction process. Installation should be phased in 16” precompacted lifts to ensure even compaction is achieved.

Glavel Lightweight Insulation

Compact Glavel

Compaction is done with a lightweight vibratory plate (<200lbs). The compaction ratio is 30% which can be achieved with 4-5 full passes with the lightweight plate compactor. Additional compaction beyond 30% will increase material consumption but will not change the material properties in Glavel’s carrying capacity. Successful compaction can achieve a grade of ±1”.

Glavel Subslab Insulation

Cover with Geotextile and Vapor Barrier

Complete the installation by wrapping the top and sides of the installed Glavel with a geotextile an vapor barrier.

Building A Sustainable Net Zero Future

As cities pursue ambitious net zero goals, addressing embodied carbon — the emissions tied to building materials — is essential for meaningful progress. Low embodied carbon materials, like Glavel’s foam glass gravel, bridge the gap between policy and impact by reducing upfront emissions, enhancing durability, and aligning with circular economy principles. Discover how sustainable materials can transform cities into models for a low-carbon future.

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Building Resilience

Breaking the carbon cycle in construction is key to building climate-resilient communities, requiring a shift to low embodied carbon materials and electrified manufacturing to combat climate change.

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