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Professional installers often include a deep layer of crushed gravel under permeable pavers to allow more runoff to soak through into the soil below. Many installations will include multiple layers of gravel, with coarser aggregate at the base and finer aggregate that sits on top of that bottom layer. Above the gravel, you’ll often find coarse sand that helps reduce paver shifting over time. Some permeable paver designs include a water collection system set into the gravel layer to route runoff to a safe area for disposal.

The best way to stop your pavers from sinking is to ensure you've properly compacted the base layers. Use your paver compactor and work over the base layer several times to create the hardest possible base. If the soil and sand of your base are compact, you’ll experience less shifting and sinking.

On average, concrete costs less than pavers for the same project. Standard broom-finished concrete costs from $2 to $15 per square foot. Stamped concrete costs between $8 to $28 per square foot. On the other hand, pavers cost from $8 to $50 per square foot. For any of these materials, the cost depends on which concrete finish or paver you choose. Keep in mind that the layout complexity, amount of site preparation, and location factor into the cost, too.

You should place a layer of thick landscaping fabric directly over the concrete slab and then a thin layer of leveling sand over that to protect the pavers from moisture. For border pavers, you should plan on locking them in place with polyurethane adhesive. This will prevent them from shifting under foot traffic.