Nonwoven Geotextiles for Weed Control

The photograph is a needle punched  "Syntex Strength Class A, Filter Class 1 Nonwoven Geotextile".

There are two types of nonwoven geotextile. One is a spun bonded which is sold for applications including drainage and weed control or even as a separation barrier. The other type is a needle punched in either polyester or polypropylene and are made for applications including drainage, separation, reinforcement of soils.

The main difference is a light (20-100gms) spun bonded fabric is not suitable for any engineered application nor is it suitable for use as a weed control fabric unless it is fully covered by pebbles or bark or is of a very heavy grade, and then the product will no longer allow sufficient air and water to penetrate. Every spun bonded weed matting we have come across fails quickly from UV and after 6-12 months (simulated UV exposure) it will fail in tensile strength and generally turn to dust. 

The same holds true for heavier grade nonwoven geotextiles but to a lesser extent. Generally a strength class A geotextile should last 6-24 months under direct sunlight, however unless the fabric is manufactured specifically for UV resistance over a specified period it will eventually fail (fine particles of polyester or polypropylene), an environmental hazard.

A nonwoven geotextile such as our "Syntex Class A" (as seen in the photograph) can be used for weed control providing it is covered by pebbles or used under grass pavers. This is a great solution because a nonwoven has a high water flow rate and will also prevent soil from mixing with pebbles and bark. Plus, if covered it will essentially last forever. The downside is, especially with bark, that wind and raking may expose the fabric. If this is a concern use our Noweed weed mat instead because it is designed to last exposed.

A weed control matting such as our Noweed is designed to last many years under direct sunlight. As a tight weave care must be taken to ensure sufficient water is available by placing irrigation at the plant or under the fabric. A downpour will tend to allow the water to sit on top of the fabric for a period of time. Noweed is a commercial grade product but is successful for home gardeners proving they understand that water will filter through slowly, in order to stop weed growth. Over time the fabric performs better once it has weathered slightly.

So in conclusion, use a nonwoven (whether spun bonded or needle punched) in applications where the product is covered. We still see no advantage in choosing a light weight spun bonded for anything, it may be cheaper but you'll eventually be paying to redo the job. Let us know if you have had success.