• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Rock Solid Landscape & Irrigation

  • Home
  • Careers
  • Reviews
763-398-0739
Financing

Follow

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Landscaping
    • Design & Installation
      • Fire Pit & Patio Installation
      • Retaining Walls, Walkways, and Steps
      • Perennial Gardens
      • Water Features
      • Outdoor Lighting
    • Our Process
    • Our Work
  • Sprinklers
    • Installation & Design
    • Service & Maintenance
    • Certification & Products
  • Lawn Care
  • Photo Gallery
  • About Us
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • FAQ
    • News & Events
  • Resources
    • Who We Work With
    • Sprinkler System How-To’s
    • Irrigation Rebates
    • Plant Catalog
    • Yard Waste Disposal
    • Financing
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Send A Message
    • Give Feedback

The Plus Side of Permeable Pavers

June 16, 2022 by Rock Solid

permeable paver patio

Your hardscape design is crucial to the overall flow and usability of your yard. It creates the blueprint for your space and it helps defines walkways and spaces for entertaining, outdoor cooking, or just relaxing. With that in mind, beautiful, distinguished landscapes tend to use pavers to create and attractive designs. The pavers can be laid in tasteful patterns or unique layouts.

However, water pooling up on your newly installed backyard space or on your walkways is unsightly and damaging to your hardscape over time. To protect your investment and keep your landscape looking amazing well into the future, we suggest using permeable pavers.

Permeable pavers are the top eco-friendly choice and can be used in all the same ways as non-permeable pavers.

What Are Permeable Pavers?

Permeable pavers are designed to allow increased drainage of water. Unlike pervious and porous pavers, which allow some water to seep through the paver, permeable pavers have wider joints between the pavers to allow water to be directed between the pavers and into the permeable layer underneath.

All three, pervious, porous, and permeable, are layered over a deep layer of stone aggregate that collects the excess water before it is either piped away or absorbed into the soil layers. Compact, fully saturated ground cannot always keep up with the amount of rainwater during a storm, so the aggregate acts as a reservoir until it can be dissipated.

How Are Permeable Pavers Different?

Non-permeable pavers are usually molded from concrete and sand creating a smooth surface. Think patio surfaces or around pools. They provide a near even surface makes it easy to slide your chair away from the outdoor patio without getting stuck on an edge. The joints between the pavers tend to be slimmer and filled with sand like Polymeric Sand.

Permeable pavers are made of brick, stone, or concrete, but function by being laid over a properly installed base. As mentioned above, the deep gravel base and wider joints allows for deeper penetration of the water run-off and prevents pooling. Walkways need at least 6-8 inches of gravel or crushed stone underneath, whereas patios and driveways need 12-18 inches. Then, the wider joints are filled with pure sand or pea gravel to smooth the surface.

The permeability of the pavers also reduces the chance of cracking from the winter thaw/freeze process.

Where to Use Permeable Pavers?

Permeable pavers can be used anywhere, but are ideal where you’d have a high level of water run-off or pooling if you had used traditional pavers. Another place to use these pavers is in areas with a minimal slope which results in potential flooding or large puddles.

Permeable paver installation is a little more involved than standard paver installation. And to maintain a flat surface, a proper installation and packing of the sub-layers is essential. It’s best to hire a professional, such as the Rock Solid team to get the right depth and proper leveling.

Why Use Permeable Pavers?

Stormwater management is the main reason!

Permeable pavers limit runoff and downstream erosion. It also helps minimize pollution into our waterway by filtering toxins and pollutants.

Other important reasons to install permeable pavers include:

  • Reduce the risk of flooding in your yard
  • Speed up the snow melting process. (And who doesn’t want that in our Minnesota spring)
  • Safety! They minimize ice build-up on your walkways. Plus, there is a cost saving of using less ice-melt!
  • You can reduce your Minneapolis stormwater utility fee by up to 45%. To learn more, visit the City of Minneapolis’s website to read about the stormwater credit and how permeable pavers can be used to apply.

Overall, permeable pavers are the smart, eco-friendly choice. They limit water runoff and pollution right at the source — your yard! And even though they seem easy at first glance to install, the precision needed for the groundwork is best left to a professional.

We’d love to help you design your ideal landscape and reduce your stormwater fee by starting with the right hardscape for your landscape. Contact us to today to get your free quote.

Share this post:

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on LinkedInShare on Email
Previous Post
Next Post

You might also enjoy...

The Advantage of Boulder Retaining Walls
Sprinkler 101 — Which Sprinkler System Should You Use for Your Yard
Entryway patio and pillars in front of house, shown in the evening with porch lights onHardscape Landscaping Trends to Connect You with Nature
Home lit up with low-voltage outdoor lightsOutdoor Lighting Improves Your Nightscape
Large retaining wall in yard5 Ways Landscaping Improves Home Value

Filed Under: Blog Posts Tagged With: Landscape Design, Landscaping, Patios, Pavers, Planning

Primary Sidebar

Get Started on Your Lawn Care & Landscape Today!

Let Rock Solid show you how to make the most of your lawn and landscape. From professional landscape design and installation to irrigation and lawn care, we’ve got the talent, equipment, and know-how you need.

Contact us for a free estimate!

  • * indicates required field
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Award for Minneapolis Best Lawn Service in 2019

Footer

Looking for financing options?

Special Financing Available*

More info

*Subject to credit approval. Ask for details.

MN Landscaping ReviewRave reviews…

See what our customers are saying and let us know what you think! Read testimonials…

Rock Solid Advice

Sprinkler Winterization and Maintenance

The Advantage of Boulder Retaining Walls

Sprinkler 101 — Which Sprinkler System Should You Use for Your Yard

The Plus Side of Permeable Pavers

Five Reasons You Need A Smart Sprinkler System

No Mow May? Spring Lawn Care Tips

Hardscape Landscaping Trends to Connect You with Nature

More from our blog…

Connect with us!

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Contact Us

2308 135th Lane NW
Andover, MN 55304
763-398-0739

Send a message

Website by Uncorked Design LLC
Copyright © 2023 Rock Solid Landscape & Irrigation