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If you're designing a new patio in an area with poor drainage, permeable pavers made from porous materials may help prevent water issues. Most permeable pavers feature a gravel-only aggregate base instead of a concrete base to allow water to flow through instead of getting trapped. While beneficial in some cases, permeable pavers come with higher initial costs and greater load-bearing limitations compared to traditional pavers.

When many homeowners think of pavers, they think of concrete stone pavers laid in sand. Clay brick is a close second in terms of the look most people want in their outdoor living spaces when they consider such a project. The good thing is that every material of paver is super durable and rated to last a long time.

Gravel driveways last the longest. With proper installation and routine maintenance, they can last upwards of 100 years. To make sure they last as long as possible, gravel driveways should be properly graded and leveled during installation and repair. The natural material is extremely durable, but the grooves make it challenging to remove snow and easy for weeds to grow through the cracks. Still, this is nothing an afternoon DIY project can’t fix and lends to the fact that their easy maintenance helps gravel driveways last even longer.

The maximum lippage or height difference between interlocking pavers is 1/8 inch or 3 millimeters. Any higher than that could become a hazard or impact the area’s ability to drain water properly. Some building codes or types of interlocking pavers could require even less of a height difference, so check with your local regulations and the manufacturer to clarify.