Cellular glass gravel: what it is and what it is used for

Cellular glass gravel is a building material tested and authorised in accordance with European standards: recycled glass ground into a fine powder is mixed with a mineral activator and baked in a kiln at 950°C like a giant cake. This causes micro air bubbles to form, which, once broken up like gravel, can be used for drainage and thermal insulation.

Ideal for creating crawl spaces under slabs, perimeter insulation for underground walls, insulation for flat roofs, light fillings and gardening, it is still little used for insulation and drainage in swimming pools.

This material is easy to install, does not alter over time, has high compressive strength, is impermeable to water and vapour, and is capable of thermally insulating the reinforced concrete structure of the swimming pool from the external temperatures of the subsoil. It contributes significantly to energy savings by increasing the usability of the pool in the intermediate seasons. It is resistant to chemicals, recyclable, ecological and environmentally friendly.

Compaction of 30% of the initial thickness can be done with a vibrating plate or a non-vibrating roller. It is advisable to lay the cellular glass gravel between two layers (lower and upper) of geotextile.