Concrete is a familiar choice for most homeowners when it comes to driveways, patios, and walkways. Though this material is difficult to install and takes plenty of energy and man-hours, it’s still often used on properties nationwide.
Sadly, that’s not where the cons of using concrete end. Rain and water aren’t capable of going into the ground if there’s concrete in the way. That makes this material impervious. However, it also forces water runoff to find its way to permeable surfaces. This journey creates damage along the concrete and requires a better solution.
Fortunately, permeable pavers are the answer to this problem. Pervious pavers let the water go through to the ground. In some cases, they even allow grass to grow within the pavement. This type of paving solution helps the environment, looks attractive, and saves your home exterior from water damage.
If you’re interested to learn more about permeable driveway options, keep reading our blog. We’ll help you make this decision that influences your property and more. If you need paver driveway installation in South Florida, contact our team. We have years of experience with similar tasks that will help us find the best solution for your case.
What Does Permeable Mean?
We understand if the first question you thought of was, “What does permeable mean?”. Permeable is not a word that’s used daily, and it’s no wonder it escapes our minds from time to time.
Firstly, permeable and pervious have quite similar meanings. Porosity shows how many open spaces a rock has and whether some cracks and cavities hold water. Permeability, however, measures how easily a fluid can go through a rock.
In the world of permeable driveways and pervious concrete, they are essentially the same.
Concrete or Brick Pavers Are a Hit
Concrete pavers are an option worth mentioning when it comes to permeable driveways. These blocks are strategically placed with small gaps between them. This allows water to go into the ground without causing damage to the patio or walkway.
Using concrete or brick pavers allows you to improvise with your backyard’s design. With different colors, you can create fun layouts and visually attractive, unique patterns. You can even allow grass to grow in between by leaving bigger gaps. Let your imagination go wild, and see what’s your favorite design.
Concrete and brick pavers have their differences besides the color. Firstly, concrete is sturdier than brick. Still, both materials are quite durable and won’t fall under heavy traffic.
Choosing these pervious pavers will help your grass driveway, too. Allowing water to come to the ground naturally means you’ll need less irrigation in the nearby areas. Help the environment and save yourself from lawn work in one move.
Grass Driveways Have Something to Offer
Grass fields are a fan favorite. We all love backyard fields of grass that are flawlessly hedged and look picture-perfect. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out like that.
Most grass driveways end up as fields of mud, puddles, and digging holes. Living in a damp area guarantees you’ll have plenty of water to handle, and nature doesn’t care about the visual appeal of your backyard. On top of that, having pets and maintaining a yard is mission impossible. No matter how much we train them, our furry friends love digging holes, snooping around, and hiding their treasures in the ground.
Luckily, there is a way to avoid all these flaws of grass and ground.
Paving an area with plastic grids creates a stabilized grass pavement surface that stays fresh even during the rainiest days. With this type of paving, you’ll get to enjoy a grass driveway no matter what kind of weather’s happening.
The plastic grid lays on top of a sub-base whose detention area can hold water when needed. If having a puddle-free grass driveway isn’t enough, remember that your dog won’t be capable of digging holes anymore. So, you can say goodbye to all the dirt this action carries.
Pervious Concrete
If you enjoy the look of concrete but wish to avoid its impermeability, there is a solution for you. Pervious concrete is a mixture of stones and concrete that looks like the real thing but allows water to go through to the ground. And it’s perfect for those too attached to the familiar look of concrete.
Still, keep in mind that this material requires maintenance. You must keep sediment from accumulating in the pores of the concrete to avoid further damage. In some cases, the accumulation is too deep to stop, and the only solution is to replace the now impermeable pavement.
Keep this option in mind and see how it ranks among the competition.
Plastic Grids
Plastic grids are worth considering if you’re looking for an alternative that won’t set your wallet back for too much. They have a few benefits we should mention when talking about pervious pavers.
Plastic grids are:
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- 100% permeable
- Have industrial strength
The first step in installing this pavement solution is creating a sub-base of gravel. It should be 2 to 4 inches deep and serve as the area that holds water temporarily. This prevents flooding when there’s heavy rain. On top of the sub-base, you place the plastic grid, which is filled with gravel.
Also, some of the plastic grids you’ll find on the market are made from 100% recycled plastic. This means you’re using an environmentally-friendly product.
Gravel and Loose Stones
Why change something if it isn’t broken? Gravel has been used as part of permeable pavers for centuries and works quite well. It’s likely the most common pervious natural solution for this issue, and you can understand why.
Gravel has been used to support all kinds of traffic throughout the years. So, it doesn’t matter if you’re building a simple pathway, a driveway to the garage, or a full road; gravel can take it.
Of course, this option doesn’t leave you much room for improvisation when it comes to design. Still, gravel is far from unattractive when used properly. Give this old-school option a shot if you’re in need of a quick natural solution for your driveway.
Contact Cricket Pavers
No matter which type of permeable pavers you decide on, you’ll likely need the help of professionals. Don’t leave your property in the hands of beginners. Instead, hire pros that know what they’re doing.
Our team at Cricket Pavers has years of experience installing all kinds of paving solutions for homes across the States. So, if you’re in need of a company that offers a driveway pavers design service, look no further. We’ll be more than happy to help you find the paving that fits your home the best and install it to perfection.
Give us a call, or visit our website for more information. And be sure to check out our blog. We publish interesting articles that may help you find new ideas for your property.
