How to Build Dog Kennel Floors Using Ecogrid

I’ve been working for Terrafirm Enterprises for over five years and have
helped numerous customers install Ecogrid in their dog kennels.

Gravel underbase for drainage

Dog Kennel Flooring: Building a Better Kennel Floor

How do you keep an outdoor kennel dry and mud-free? What’s the best way to
stop your dogs from digging?

Every few weeks, we get questions from dog owners asking about using Ecogrid
for dog kennels. There must be a lot of muddy dogs out there! We have had
success using it for the past few years, so I thought I would write an article
about why the Ecogrid system is a great choice for your kennel.

Ecogrid (Ecoraster) is a plastic, permeable paving system that helps control
mud and stormwater runoff. It’s been used for years in horse and equestrian
facilities, and it is very easy to adapt it for use in a dog run or kennel.

Ecogrid Specifications

Easy to install and doesn’t need any extra tools or staking
Lightweight and can easily be cut with a saw
Made of 99% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a type of plastic that is stabilized so that it won’t break down
UV-resistant
Resistant to urine and feces
Can withstand extreme cold and hot temperatures
Won’t become brittle.

Outdoor dog kennel with Ecogrid

Preparation Before Installing Ecogrid

Time Required: One day or less
Difficulty: Medium
Cost: Depends on where you live

Materials

Gravel: Washed/clear gravel is the best; avoid crush-and-run or decomposed granite—it will harden up, making it impossible for water to drain
Ecogrid: The el30-weight is the lightest
Sand: Coarse, non-compacted sand will drain the best
Fence (optional)

Tools

Shovel
Maybe a wheelbarrow to carry the gravel and sand
Rake for leveling the sand

Step-by-Step Instructions to Install Ecogrid for Your Dog Kennel

Level the area by trimming any grass or weeds. Although the area can be sloped, it is a good idea to try to level it.
Put down a layer of gravel. We suggest putting a few inches of it under the grid. If you have clay soil, gravel will really help with the drainage! You should use a clear or washed gravel—something without mud and dust. Try to level everything out so there aren’t huge gaps beneath the grid. Remember, the secret to successful flooring is in the subbase!
Lay down the grid on top of the gravel.
Next, pour sand on top of the grid. We suggest coarse, non-compacted builder’s sand, sometimes called construction sand. Put down a few inches of sand above the grid to create a nice bedding. The grid is great because it stops sand from washing out. Some customers like to use gravel on top of the grid, but I do not recommend this if your dog likes to eat gravel.

Advantages of Sand

Aside from providing good drainage, sand is cheap to replace, so you can
shovel up the sand around the dog poop and discard it. It is also easy to add
in more sand later.

A Customer Using Ecogrid in His Kennels

I was surprised to find that my customer had uploaded a video using Ecogrid to
build his kennel floors. It appears he used wire to stop his dogs from digging
under the kennel. I would advise against this because wire is far too rough
and can hurt dogs.

The wiring aside, you can see how the Ecogrid really improved the kennel
flooring. He put down gravel, grid, and sand in that order.

Sand, Ecogrid, and Gravel

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How the Ecogrid Works

The grid separates your upper level or footing level (made of sand) from the
lower level, which is usually gravel. Water and urine pass through the sand
and drain into the gravel away from your dogs. Because water moves through
sand quickly and then moves through the gravel before it reaches the soil,
there will not be enough time for mud to form.

Using Sand and Gravel

Gravel

When you are building with gravel, we suggest you use 3/4 inch gravel or
stone. These larger pieces of gravel allow water to flow around them, so water
and urine vanish into your subbase. A washed gravel or stone is the best
choice because there is less stone dust. When there is a lot of dirt and stone
dust, the ground becomes hard and impermeable.

Some people like pea gravel, but, in my opinion, it rolls too much and doesn’t
make a good base. Some customers tell me they have no issue with it, but if
you have a dog that eats gravel, pea gravels are easy to grab. If your dog
eats gravel, I suggest you don’t use it and find a substitute instead.

The great thing about using the Ecogrid for a kennel or run floor is that it
holds the gravel in place and stops your dogs from digging. This helps you
save money because you won’t have to keep putting down more gravel year after
year. Another reason the grid helps is that it stops dogs from digging a
tunnel and escaping.

Sand

Use coarse, non-compacted sand, also called construction or builder’s sand.
The sand allows water to drain through. Sand is great because it can be easily
removed and discarded when it is dirty. You want a few inches of sand above
the grid to create a nice bedding.

Pros and Cons of Alternative Flooring Options

Grass and Wood Floors

I’ve learned from talking to my customers that grass floors and wood floors
are a huge mistake! Wood floors, or sheets of plywood, can splinter. Some dogs
chew on wood too. Grass is also a bad idea. It may look beautiful, but within
a few days or less, the grass will be worn down, the dogs are digging to
China, and there is mud everywhere! Or, if it’s a dry season, there will be
dust.

Concrete Floors

Concrete is also problematic. First off, laying a slab of concrete down is
costly and time-consuming. Not every dog owner can build their own cement
slab. Furthermore, some municipalities won’t allow it without permits. In
addition to this, concrete is slippery and can be extremely uncomfortable for
older dogs.

Another problem with concrete is cleaning. In colder weather, concrete can
stain. It also doesn’t allow for rain and urine to drain, so everything just
puddles in one place and causes a stinky mess. Still, many people love
concrete because they think it is easy to clean compared to using only gravel
as their flooring.

If you decide you still want to go with concrete, you should lay down the
Ecogrid beside your concrete slab. To do this:

Dig down about 6 inches into the ground.
Put down a few inches of the washed stone gravel, then the grid, and then the sand.
This gives your dog a great place to play and an alternative to the cold, hard concrete. Plus, when you hose off your slab, the water run-off now has a place to go.

Belle