The polyethylene (PE) geocell is offered in two heights: 10 cm and 15 cm, both textured and perforated, in extended 4 × 6 m panels. Both share the same material (HDPE), sheet thickness (1.5–1.7 mm), and weld spacing (44.5 cm). The height changes the depth of cellular confinement and, with it, the bearing capacity of the system. This comparison helps you decide which height suits your project: surface stabilization of slopes and light roadways or deep reinforcement under higher loads.
🎯 Choose the variant in 10 seconds
- If your case is slope protection, surface erosion control, or pedestrian pathways: go to the 10 cm height variant
- If your case is subbase reinforcement, vehicular roadways, or vegetated retaining walls: go to the 15 cm height variant
What to consider before choosing the variant
Both variants share the same material (HDPE), sheet thickness (1.5–1.7 mm), weld spacing (44.5 cm), color (black), high UV protection, and extended panel format (4 × 6 m). The decision comes down to confinement depth and the type of infill. These are the most important criteria:
- Main function: surface erosion control requires low heights; subbase stabilization and reinforcement under load require greater heights. The general rule is that the height should be at least equal to the maximum aggregate diameter of the infill.
- Type of infill: topsoil and grass work with 10 cm; 1–2 inch gravel or subbase aggregate requires 15 cm to properly confine the particle and leverage the arching effect.
- Surface load: pedestrian and occasional vehicles with 10 cm; permanent roadways, parking lots, and construction access with 15 cm. Greater height better confines the aggregate and distributes the load over the subsoil.
- Ground slope: on slopes steeper than 30%, increase to 15 cm to improve infill anchorage and reduce the risk of washout from intense runoff.
- Complete system: it is advisable to install non-woven geotextile as a separation-filtration layer under the geocell, especially on soft or rocky soils. The geocell provides confinement; the geotextile prevents mixing of layers.
10 cm height variant: the light one for erosion and pedestrian roadways
- Ideal surface confinement for topsoil and grass
- Two-person handling: lighter to transport and install
- Sheet thickness 1.5–1.7 mm: robust structure
- Tensile strength ≥ 20 MPa per sheet and weld ≥ 100 N/cm
- Insufficient for permanent vehicular traffic
- Shallow depth to confine gravel larger than 1 in
The 10 cm format is the standard option for surface erosion control on garden slopes, parks, and landscaping projects. It works very well with topsoil and grass, where the system becomes invisible once the cover grows. It is also used on pedestrian paths and areas of occasional transit, where the load is low and the priority is to stabilize the surface.
15 cm height variant: the deep one for reinforcement and vehicular roadways
- Deep confinement: ideal for subbase gravel
- Weld peel strength: 2130 N
- Suitable for vehicular roadways and outdoor parking lots
- Better performance on slopes steeper than 30%
- Higher infill volume per m² than the 10 cm variant
- Oversized for garden slopes with grass
- Heavier handling of the extended panel
The 15 cm format is the specification for projects where the geocell acts as structural reinforcement: subbase for vehicular roadways, outdoor parking lots with confined gravel, construction access with medium traffic, or vegetated retaining walls with granular infill. The greater height better utilizes the arching effect between cells and distributes the load over the subsoil, reducing the necessary subbase thickness compared to a solution without a geocell.
Variant Comparison Table
The two variants are identical in material, thickness, weld spacing, color, UV, and panel format. The difference lies in the panel height and, consequently, the confinement depth.
| Feature | 10 cm height | 15 cm height |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal Use | Erosion and pedestrian pathways | Reinforcement and vehicular roadways |
| SKU | 671265 | 747867 |
| Material | HDPE | HDPE |
| Panel Height | 10 cm (4 in) | 15 cm (6 in) |
| Sheet Thickness | 1.5–1.7 mm | 1.5–1.7 mm |
| Weld Spacing | 44.5 cm | 44.5 cm |
| Spot Welding | ≥ 100 N/cm | ≥ 100 N/cm |
| Cell-to-cell connection | 120 N/cm | 120 N/cm |
| Sheet Yield Strength | ≥ 20 MPa | ≥ 20 MPa |
| Weld Peel Strength | — | 2130 N |
| Finish | Textured and perforated | Textured and perforated |
| Color | Black | Black |
| UV Protection | Yes (high) | Yes (high) |
| Extended Panel | 4 × 6 m | 4 × 6 m |
Use Case → Recommended Variant Matrix
| If your case is… | Recommended Variant |
|---|---|
| Garden slope with grass or vegetative cover | → 10 cm |
| Pedestrian path or occasional traffic area | → 10 cm |
| Surface erosion control on canal bank or ditch | → 10 cm |
| Subbase reinforcement on light to medium traffic road | → 15 cm |
| Outdoor parking lot with confined gravel | → 15 cm |
| Vegetated retaining wall or slope steeper than 30% | → 15 cm |
Before deciding on height, consider the infill aggregate. The practical rule is that the cell height should be equal to or greater than the maximum aggregate diameter: if filling with 1 in (25 mm) gravel, the 10 cm cell is sufficient; if using 2 in (50 mm) or larger gravel, go up to 15 cm. If the cell is shorter than the particle, it will escape from the top, and the confinement effect, which is the reason for the geocell's existence, will be lost.
Do not install geocells directly on soft ground or ground with a lot of fines without geotextile underneath. Without the separation layer, fines from the subgrade migrate into the granular infill, contaminating it, and the geocell loses bearing capacity within a few months. The investment in non-woven geotextile under the geocell is small compared to the difference it makes in the system's lifespan.
10 or 15 cm for your slope or roadway?
Tell us the type of work (slope, roadway, parking lot, vegetated wall), the slope, the infill aggregate, and the area in m² to cover. You will receive the exact height recommendation and, if applicable, complementary geosynthetics (geotextile under the cell) for your system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many m² does an expanded panel cover?
Each expanded panel covers 24 m² (4 m × 6 m). The number of panels depends on the total area and overlaps. As a practical reference, calculate the projected area (m²) and add 5–10% for overlaps and cuts on irregular edges; for slopes with a high gradient, increase the factor to 12–15%.
What infill is suitable for each height?
For 10 cm: topsoil with grass, fine gravel (5–10 mm), or lightweight aggregates for paths. For 15 cm: 1–2 in (25–50 mm) gravel, SUB-1 type subbase aggregate, or stabilized soil for roadways. Compact the infill up to the top edge of the cell; do not let it overflow, as it loses its confinement effect.
Does it need to be anchored to the ground?
Yes, especially on slopes. Anchoring is done with J or U metal rods driven through the perimeter cells and with an internal pattern according to the slope: every 1–1.5 m on gentle slopes and every 0.5–0.75 m on slopes greater than 30%. On flat roadways, the weight of the infill is usually sufficient; in vegetated retaining walls, it is combined with intermediate ties between panels.