Rain, rain, go away, but preferably into the ground
Permeable paving systems allow precipitation to filter naturally into the ground.
The system can cut down on stormwater runoff, erosion, and lawn drainage issues.
Permeable paving comes in several forms, including pavers and pervious aggregates.
Paver installation allows water and air to permeate the ground between each tile and through the gravel below.
Some homeowners enjoy tax rebates for installing permeable paving systems.
The more we learn about the impact of stormwater runoff and the related costs of landscape drainage, the more permeable paving systems make a lot of sense. Permeable pavers and permeable paving materials allow rain and melted snow to filter through covered ground and avoid flooding into the roads, streams, and other nearby waterways. So, whether you're looking for driveway ideas or a new patio design, here's what you need to know about permeable paving systems.
As highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency, permeable paving comes in two forms:
Permeable paving materials such as pervious concrete and asphalt
Pavers configured over gravel, stone, sand, or grass that encourage water filtration
Think about the last time a deluge of rain hit your natural stone patio or traditional asphalt driveway. The water likely rushed to the storm drains, into your garden, or toward your foundation.
Permeable paving systems either feature porous materials or arrange pavers with spaces to allow water to flow directly into the ground. Since the system slows down the flood of water, it also filters out rock salt, chemicals, fertilizer, and levels of bacteria that can harm local waterways.
While there are many uses for permeable paving around the outside of your home, patios and driveways are both favorites. The cost to install a patio with permeable pavers ranges between $10 and $30 per square foot—which falls on the higher side than traditional pavers. This price means the cost to pave a driveway will also increase, but try not to be deterred by their higher-than-average upfront costs. There are both cost-effective and environmental benefits to permeable pavers.
Some of the biggest pros of installing permeable paving systems include:
Durability: The even spacing of permeable pavers makes them ideal for high-traffic zones such as driveways that handle multiple heavy vehicles.
Less damage: They decrease the chance of lawn and foundation damage from lawn erosion, rock salt, and other chemicals.
Flood prevention: Permeable pavements help manage stormwater by releasing it slowly into the ground versus directing it towards storm drains. The even distribution of stormwater into your land can prevent flooding and reduce runoff water — the extra water that flows across the surface because there is more water than ground to absorb it.
Rustic aesthetic: Because of their customizable placement, homeowners can lay paving stones in a pattern that allows grass to grow between them. This creates a natural, rustic aesthetic in driveways and walkways.
Environmentally friendly: Permeable paving systems are one solution to building an eco-friendly driveway. They’re sometimes made from recycled materials, helping to reduce your carbon footprint. The base of these systems also act as a filtration system by removing or reducing pollutants from stormwater.
Fewer pests: A lower chance of drainage issues leads to fewer pest issues.
Tax rebates: Some local areas offer tax rebates for installing permeable pavers.
While permeable paving systems offer homeowners many benefits, you may want to consider the downsides.
Cost: The installation cost for permeable pavers is typically more than you’d pay for traditional concrete or asphalt driveways.
Extra maintenance: Permeable pavers require routine maintenance to keep them from clogging. Sand and other particles can build up and block the space between the pavers, but scheduling maintenance once or twice a year can prevent clogs.
Installing permeable pavers requires some expertise, so in most cases, we recommend hiring a local paving specialist to do the job right. The process takes a bit longer than installing pavers yourself, primarily due to their relationship with the surrounding ground.
For example, installing permeable pavers and paving materials requires pros to excavate deeper into the ground to add a layer of stone aggregate such as gravel. You may also need to test the density and makeup of the soil below your current patio or driveway to ensure stability and proper filtration.
Lastly, permeable pavers must lay in an even, predetermined pattern with equal amounts of space between each tile. In order to get that rustic yet clean look you desire, it's best to have a professional handling the measurements.
You'll find permeable paving systems made of a range of materials. Each system requires a unique installation to allow the water and air to seep into the ground and in some cases, grass to grow through them. The most popular types of permeable pavers include:
Pervious asphalt
Pervious concrete
Brick
Cinderblock
Natural stone
Plastic
Remember, when you choose permeable pavers, their spacing and the underlying gravel offer the permeability. Pervious asphalt and concrete, however, are manufactured with larger particles to ensure that water can pass through, similar to groundwater. Plastic permeable pavers typically leave room for grass or other ground cover lawn alternatives to grow through them.
Imagine designing your hardscape to your heart's content without worrying about puddles in your lawn. Design a permeable driveway, for example, with pavers, pervious concrete, pervious, asphalt, or grass strengthened by plastic permeable tiles. Additionally, designing a recycled asphalt driveway cuts down on your carbon footprint—as it is both easier to manufacture and permeable to water.
Permeable paving and pavers are best:
In regions with local tax rebates
Lawns without a natural slope or a slope facing your foundation
Driveways prone to heavy snow, ice, and other precipitation
Walkways, patios, and outdoor dining areas
Homeowners seeking a rustic look that blends with the natural aesthetic of their landscape
