What type of geotextile should be used for silt fence installations?

For silt fence installations, the appropriate type of geotextile is woven slit film. This material is specifically designed to provide adequate filtration while allowing water to pass through, thus preventing sediment from migrating offsite. Woven slit film geotextiles are durable and have a structured design that enhances their effectiveness in controlling erosion and sedimentation at construction sites.

Using woven slit film ensures that the silt fence functions properly by retaining fine sediments while allowing water to drain, thereby preventing ponding behind the fence. In contrast, woven monofilament and nonwoven geotextiles do not possess the same balance of permeability and strength required for silt fences, making them less suitable options for this application. While nonwoven geotextiles are effective for other erosion control applications, they typically do not perform as well under the stresses placed on a silt fence, such as water flow and sediment load.