2022 Permeable Pavers Cost | Pervious Concrete & Asphalt Pavement Cost

Reviewed and approved on February 22, 2021, by Tom Grupa and 3 expert masonry contractors on HomeGuide.

Permeable pavement cost

Permeable pavers cost $10 to $30 per square foot installed. A 2-car pervious concrete driveway costs $4,600 to $9,200 on average or $8 to $16 per square foot. A 2-car porous asphalt driveway costs $4,000 to $7,500 on average or $7 to $13 per square foot.

Permeable pavement cost comparison
Pavement type	Average cost per square foot
Permeable stone pavers	$10 – $30
Pervious concrete	$8 – $16
Porous asphalt	$7 – $13
Concrete grass grid	$4 – $12
Plastic grass grid	$5 – $9

*Total installation cost.

Permeable, porous, and pervious pavements allow water to pass through them.

Permeable often describes paver stones with gravel in between and a low-drainage rate.
Porous often describes asphalt with voids inside with good drainage.
Pervious often describes concrete and gravel-grids that drain water the fastest.

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Permeable pavement cost
Permeable pavers cost
- Concrete vs. plastic
Pervious concrete driveway cost
- Asphalt driveway
Pervious concrete cost vs. concrete
Porous paving parking lot cost
Permeable pavers pros and cons
Pervious pavement maintenance cost
Frequently asked questions
DIY permeable pavement installation cost
Hiring a permeable pavement installer
Masonry Contractors Near Me

Permeable pavers cost

Permeable pavers cost $10 to $30 per square foot installed, depending on the type and design complexity. Permeable concrete paving blocks have gravel-filled joints for the water to filter through. Permeable paver installation includes an aggregate base for water infiltration.

The following table is an average cost to install a permeable paver driveway.

Average permeable pavers cost
National average cost	$9,400
Minimum cost	$1,400
Maximum cost	$25,000
Average range	$4,000 to $17,000

*Based on 23 project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

The material cost of pavers depends on the material, size, finish, and texture.

Get free estimates from paving pros near you. View Pros

Pervious concrete pavers cost

Concrete grid pavers cost $4 to $12 per square foot, while plastic grid pavers cost $5 to $9 per square foot. Both grass paver types allow water to flow into the honeycomb-shaped grid system while grass grows through the grid. Other filling options for permeable-grid pavers are gravel or sand.

Pervious concrete pavers cost
Grid paver type	Average cost per square foot
Concrete	$4 – $12
Plastic	$5 – $9

*Total install cost.

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Pervious concrete driveway cost

A 2-car pervious concrete driveway costs $4,600 to $9,200 on average or $8 to $16 per square foot. A 2-car permeable paver driveway costs $5,500 to $17,000 or $10 to $30 per square foot.

Impervious driveway pavers cost 15 to 20% more than traditional paver stones.

Pervious driveway cost comparison - chart

Pervious concrete driveway cost comparison
Type	1-car (288 SF)	2-car (576 SF)	3-car (864 SF)
Permeable pavers	$2,800 – $8,500	$5,500 – $17,000	$8,500 – $25,000
Pervious concrete	$2,300 – $4,600	$4,600 – $9,200	$6,900 – $13,800
Porous asphalt	$2,000 – $3,700	$4,000 – $7,500	$6,000 – $11,200
Concrete grass grid	$1,100 – $3,500	$2,300 – $6,900	$3,500 – $10,000
Plastic grass grid	$1,400 – $2,600	$2,800 – $5,200	$4,300 – $7,800

*Total install cost. Removing old driveways adds $1 to $3 per square foot.

Permeable asphalt driveway cost

A porous or permeable asphalt driveway costs $7 to $13 per square foot or between $2,800 and $5,200 installed. In comparison, a standard asphalt driveway costs $3 to $7 per square foot installed, or 50% less.

Porous asphalt costs $50 to $95 per ton for materials only. Permeable asphalt has no fine-ground stones or sand and requires an 18” to 24” deep large-stone base. Well-maintained porous asphalt lasts 15 to 30 years.

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Pervious concrete cost vs. concrete

Pervious concrete costs $8 to $16 per square foot installed, while plain concrete costs $4 to $8 per square foot.
A 24'x24' pervious concrete driveway costs $4,600 to $9,200, while a regular concrete driveway costs $2,300 to $4,600.
Pervious concrete initially costs double, but reducing extra drainage offsets those costs.

Pervious concrete cost vs. plain concrete - chart

Pervious concrete cost vs. concrete
Factor	Pervious concrete	Regular concrete
Cost per square foot	$8 – $16	$4 – $8
24'x24' driveway cost	$4,600 – $9,200	$2,300 – $4,600
Lifespan	20 – 40 years	30 – 40 years
Gravel-base depth*	12” – 36”	4” – 8”

*Base depth of pervious concrete depends on the local soil type. Clay soils need a deeper base.

Tax rebates for permeable pavements are available in some locations.
Some cities require a $50 to $200 permit to install permeable pavement systems.

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Porous paving parking lot cost

Permeable pavers for a parking lot cost $3,000 to $9,000 per space of 300 square feet, including installation. Paving a 10-car permeable parking lot costs $12,000 to $48,000 on average, depending on the pavement type.

Costs of pervious or permeable parking lot surfaces
Type	Per parking space	10-car lot
Permeable pavers	$3,000 – $9,000	$30,000 – $90,000
Pervious concrete	$2,400 – $4,800	$24,000 – $48,000
Porous asphalt	$2,100 – $3,900	$21,000 – $39,000
Concrete grass grid	$1,200 – $3,600	$12,000 – $36,000
Plastic grass grid	$1,500 – $2,700	$15,000 – $27,000

*Includes materials and installation.

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Permeable pavers pros and cons

Permeable pavement reduces stormwater runoff, filters pollutants from groundwater, and provides environmental benefits. Disadvantages of permeable pavement include a higher installation cost, regular maintenance, and incompatibility with all soil types.

Permeable pavement pros and cons
Pros	Cons
Used as a stormwater management system Prevents flooding & drain problems Reduces standing water & ice formation Less surface heat than impervious surfaces Minimizes erosion Less mosquito breeding Improves local water quality Refills groundwater table Reduces the need for drainage infrastructure, irrigation systems, and retention ponds Reduces landscaping watering costs Reduces the amount of storm drains needed.	Requires specialized installation and equipment Not suitable for clay soils Less effective on sloped land Clogs without maintenance

Pervious pavement maintenance cost

Pervious pavement maintenance costs $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot on average for pressure washing with vacuum-sweeping service. Homeowners can also rent pressure washers at $50 to $100 daily from hardware stores.

Permeable pavements require regular maintenance and cleaning to prevent clogging and increase longevity.

Keep the pavement free from sand, soil, and other debris.
Inspect the pavement after storms to ensure proper drainage.

Permeable pavement maintenance
Pavement type	Maintenance
Pervious concrete & porous asphalt	Vacuum sweeping in spring and fall Pressure wash if deeply clogged No sealcoating like regular pavements Deicing materials only since abrasives clog pavement
Permeable pavers	Keep gaps free of dirt & debris Sweep or vacuum every 3 months Refill spaces with gravel as required Replace gravel when fully clogged or uncleanable Replace damaged pavers right away
Grass pavers / gravel grids	Mowing, fertilizing, watering, & seeding grass Adding more sod, gravel, or sand Surface sweeping only to remove debris

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Frequently asked questions

What is permeable pavement?

Permeable paver systems are permeable pavers, pervious concrete, or porous asphalt. All three systems enhance groundwater infiltration, limit water runoff, filter out groundwater pollutants, and use a stone aggregate base below as a reservoir before the water seeps into the soil or city drains.

Pervious concrete and porous asphalt are regular pavements without fine-grain materials like sand, so they become porous. Water goes down through the surface.
Permeable pavers are brick or concrete pavement stones with gravel-filled spaces in between for water infiltration into gravel layers below. Permeable pavers have a lower drainage rate than porous or pervious systems. Also known as “permeable interlocking concrete pavements” (PICP).

Permeable brick pavers for residential driveway

What is the lifespan of permeable pavement?

Most types of permeable pavement last 20 to 40 years on average, depending on the pavement materials, installation quality, and maintenance frequency.

Permeable pavement lifespan
Pavement type	Average lifespan (years)
Permeable interlocking pavers	20 – 35
Pervious concrete	20 – 40
Porous asphalt	15 – 30
Concrete grid	10 – 20
Plastic grid	20 – 60

What's the difference between pervious, porous, and permeable pavers?

Pervious, porous, and permeable pavers are different paving systems that reduce stormwater runoff. Each paver type has a different installation process and application, depending on the soil and site conditions. Pervious concrete drains faster than porous asphalt or permeable pavers.

Pervious, porous, and permeable paver differences
Paver type	Features
Permeable stone paver system	Most common type Gravel-filled joints drain water between paver stones Concrete or clay brick pavers Architectural appearance Good for heavy traffic Lowest infiltration rate
Porous pavers (grass- or gravel-grid pavers)	Water drains through a cellular grid system Concrete or plastic honeycomb design Grids filled with dirt, gravel, sand, or grass Vegetation grows through open cells Reduces soil compaction
Pervious pavers	Drains through open voids in the stone’s surface Highest infiltration rate of all systems Made from natural stone Bonded with organic compounds & UV inhibitors Allows tree roots and microbes to interact

Do permeable pavers only work for driveways?

Permeable pavers are installed in various locations such as driveways, sidewalks, garden paths, patios, parking lots, pool decks, and other backyard landscaping projects.

Where to use permeable pavers:

Use permeable pavers around garden boundaries to supply more groundwater to plants.
Avoid plastic and only use stone-based permeable pavers near backyard grills and firepits.
Avoid using permeable pavers near a home foundation. Permeable paving traps water in the ground below instead of channeling water away to keep the foundation dry.

How much does Topmix Permeable concrete cost?

Topmix Permeable concrete or similar types cost $8 to $16 per square foot installed. Topmix is a patented concrete blend from Tarmac, a United Kingdom company, currently unavailable in the United States. Other pervious concretes are available from U.S. suppliers like Cemex in this price range.

How much does Ecoraster® cost?

The Ecoraster® permeable paving grid system costs $6 to $16 per square foot installed, depending on the surface type, base depth, and site accessibility. Finishing options include filling the grid with vegetation, sand, gravel, or paver-stone blocks. Filling the grid with sod slightly reduces costs.

Ecoraster cost
Grid type	Average cost per square foot
Gravel-filled or sand-filled	$6 – $8
Paver stone-filled	$12 – $16

*Includes materials and installation.

Ecoraster paving grid benefits:

20-year warranty
Made from 100% recycled plastics
Low maintenance
UV-resistant and frost proof
Great cold weather performance
Supports loads of 82 tons per square foot

How much do TRUEGRID^® pavers cost?

TRUEGRID® pavers cost $6 to $9 per square foot with sand, gravel, or sod installed in the open grids. Alternatively, TRUEGRID^® ROOT^™grass-stabilizing grids let existing grass grow through when installed with heavy rollers. TRUEGRID® permeable pavers are eco-friendly, durable, and aerate the soil.

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DIY permeable pavement installation cost

Most permeable pavement installations are not DIY projects because they require specialized training and equipment. Hire a qualified contractor to evaluate the exact paving requirements for the property and prevent drainage problems.

DIY-friendly gravel-grid permeable paving systems cost $3 to $7 per square foot to install. Homeowners can buy gravel grids online or at local home improvement stores, and install them with moderate digging.

Plastic grids cost $2 to $4 per square foot.
Gravel prices add $1 to $3 per square foot, depending on the depth.

Still have questions? Ask a pro. View Pros

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Hiring a permeable pavement installer

Before hiring an installer, make sure to:

Collect estimates from three paving companies to compare prices.
Browse reviews from their previous work on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau(BBB).
Choose companies with experience installing permeable paving.
Pervious-concrete installers should have pervious-concrete certification from the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
Grid-system installers should have taken installation courses from the grid manufacturer or other LEED construction courses.
Porous-asphalt installers should have certification from asphalt-training programs like the State Department of Transportation.
Landscapers installing permeable paving-stone systems should have a current general contractor’s license and certification from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute.
Beware of ultra-low bids for low-quality work.
Select only insured, bonded, and licensed contractors.
Never make full upfront payments. Follow a payment schedule instead.
Ask for a written copy of the detailed estimate, contract, and warranty beforehand.

Questions to ask

Can you give me local referrals to see examples of your work?
How many permeable paving systems have you installed?
Will you pull all the permits for this project?
Does this paving design meet all the local building code requirements for stormwater drainage?
How much site preparation will you do, and how should I prepare for it?
How long will this porous pavement system last?
Are all materials and labor costs in this quote? What other costs can I expect?
Does your estimate include cleanup charges?
What does your warranty cover?
What’s your daily work schedule, and when should the project start and finish?

Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted permeable pavers:

Get free estimates

+ 23 Sources

Mike Gunther at J&M Concrete Contractors. Personal communication. (2021).
Kevin McBee at Pervious Paving Contractors. Personal communication. (2021).
Garret Johnson at First Team Construction. Personal communication. (2021).
Tom Schillinger at HMA Contracting Corp. Personal communication. (2021).
Mike Riggs at Progressive Hardscapes. Personal communication. (2021).
Glen Izett at Fairfax Contractor. Personal communication. (2021).
Eric at Restuccia Excavating, Inc. Personal communication. (2021).
Niki Wilson at Burns & Son's Concrete, Inc. Personal communication. (2021).
Jack Dearborn at HMA Paving & Contracting. Personal communication. (2021).
Ellise Gasner at LID Permeable Paving. Personal communication. (2021).
Doug McCluskey at EJ Prescott. Personal communication. (2021).
Abel Rivas at Best Landscaping Construction. Personal communication. (2021).
The complete guide to permeable paving systems. (2020).
https://www.truegridpaver.com/complete-guide-permeable-paving-systems%ef%bb%bf/
Are pervious, permeable, and porous pavers really the same? (2013).
https://stormwater.wef.org/2013/10/pervious-permeable-porous-pavers-really/
Permeable pavement: The pros and cons you need to know. (2017).
https://greenblue.com/na/permeable-pavement-the-pros-and-cons-you-need-to-know/
How do permeable pavers work? (2020).
https://www.nitterhousemasonry.com/pavers/how-do-permeable-pavers-work/
How to: Here’s what you should know about permeable pavers. (2015).
https://www.totallandscapecare.com/business/article/15038625/how-to-heres-what-you-should-know-about-permeable-pavers
Porous asphalt paving - Cost and environmental benefits. (2017).
https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog/bid/55431/porous-asphalt-paving-cost-and-environmental-benefits
University of Maryland Extension - Howard County Master Gardeners. "Permeable pavement fact sheet." PDF file. (2016).
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/master-gardeners/Howardcounty/Baywise/PermeablePavingHowardCountyMasterGardeners10_5_11%20Final.pdf
CTC & Associates LLC, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Research & Library Unit. "Comparison of permeable pavement types: Hydrology, design, installation, maintenance and cost." PDF file. (2012).
https://www.uni-groupusa.org/PDF/Wisconsin%20TSR-2011-permeable-pavements.pdf
Types of permeable pavement. (2018).
https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Types_of_permeable_pavement
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. "Understanding porous asphalt - Pioneer Valley sustainability toolkit." PDF file. (n.d.).
http://www.pvpc.org/sites/default/files/files/PVPC-Porous%20Asphalt.pdf
The complete guide to plastic pavers. (2020).
https://www.truegridpaver.com/the-complete-guide-to-plastic-pavers/

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