Get matched with top pavers and hardscaping pros in Gilbertville, IA

Gravel is crucial to your paver patio’s drainage, meaning it plays a massive role in the lifetime of your patio. Gravel holds the pavers in place and allows water to move away from your patio to prevent erosion or stone damage. 

Without gravel, your paver patio will need replacing much sooner, and in the meantime, water damage and potential weed growth will cause you a lot of headaches.

Standard paver sizes that measure 2 3/8 inches are appropriate for placing over concrete. However, always make sure you are not making the area too thick for daily use. A large step between your lawn and the patio can be a tripping hazard, and you need to be able to open and close all doors that swing over the top of the installation.

Most professional permeable paver installations take between 2 and 7 days, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Small patios or walkways may only take a few days, while large driveways with deep base layers, edging, and drainage components can take a full week or more. Weather, access to the site, and whether demolition is needed also affect the timeline.

Whether it's worth it to install a heated driveway depends on how often you'll use it, your lifestyle, and your budget. If you live in a mild climate with little snowfall, then installing a built-in heated driveway system may not be worth it. If you live in a region that experiences mild snowfall, then a portable mat could work better. However, if you live in a region with heavy snowfall, it makes sense to invest in a built-in heated driveway.