If you’re thinking about paving a driveway, patio, courtyard, or another area, it’s important to know the pros and cons of the available materials. Concrete suppliers sell two main types of paving stones: permeable pavers and non-permeable ones. Here are some of the differences between the two.

Key Features of Permeable & Non-Permeable Pavers

1. Water Runoff

As their name suggests, non-permeable pavers don’t allow water to seep through them into the earth. For this reason, driveways built with non-permeable materials should be sloped so water doesn’t just stand around. Permeable pavers, on the other hand, are porous, allowing water to filter back into the soil underneath.

2. Maintenance & Longevity

These days, both permeable and non-permeable pavers can be built to last for years. In general, permeable materials require more upkeep, since the material can erode from the joints and be swept away. Non-permeable pavers require less maintenance, especially when polymeric sand is used in the joints. Polymeric hardens when dry but becomes soft when wet, which means it holds up well against erosion caused by freeze and thaw cycles. It also keeps weeds from growing in the cracks between stones and discourages ants from nesting in the joints.

3. Environmental Factors

Because permeable pavers allow water to sink through pores back into the earth, they help filter out pollutants as they recharge the water table. They also help avoid pooling water during periods of heavy rainfall, which can become a breeding ground for insects and a source of contamination for nearby ponds, streams, and lakes. Non-permeable materials can easily create standing water if they aren’t carefully designed to slant toward flowerbeds or grass.

For anyone looking for help with paving around Mayfield and upstate New York, Miller’s Ready Mix Concrete & Block is the perfect concrete supplier to meet your needs. They provide high-quality materials at rock-solid prices, including precast concrete, masonry supplies, and more. To get in touch, visit their website or call the concrete suppliers at (518) 661-5601.