Driveway Pavers vs Patio Pavers: Is There a Difference in Hinsdale, IL?

Choosing the right driveway or patio pavers will ensure that your new outdoor space will be adequate for the intended use, and that it will stand the test of time. Not all pavers are created equal. When you’re looking at driveway pavers vs. patio pavers: is there a difference, in Hinsdale, IL?

On the surface, driveway pavers and patio pavers can look the same. Many manufacturers of concrete pavers offer the same styles, colors, textures and finishes in both types; however, under the surface, there are significant differences.

Dimensions

Driveways take a lot of heavy use by vehicles, foot traffic, equipment and harsh chemicals such as de-icing salts. The compressive weight of vehicles can quickly cause the wrong pavers to shift and crack. This means the first thing you want to look for is whether a paver is thick enough to withstand the heavy loads that will be applied to it on a daily basis. Most contemporary driveway pavers range between 2-⅜” to 3-⅞”” thick. The thickness of the paver determines the thickness of the base: a thinner paver is more fragile. It requires more support, and therefore a thicker base.

In addition to being thicker, driveway pavers are also often smaller than patio pavers - again, to prevent cracking due to the weight of vehicles. A large format square or rectangular paver would have to be even thicker than a more modestly sized paver to stand up to vehicular traffic. This would increase the cost of the pavers and make installation more difficult.

By contrast, patio pavers can be thinner and larger since they don’t support as much weight. You can find large format concrete patio pavers, for example 24”x24” squares; and these are relatively thin, at just 2” thick. If you want to go ultra-thin (for example, to overlay a poured concrete slab with attractive pavers without creating a significant transition to another outdoor space or the home) choose porcelain tile, which can be as thin as .75” and yet still give you a modern oversized look (16”x38” or 24”x24”).

Of the pavers that are offered for multiple residential uses (driveways, patios, walkways, pool decks), most are available in thickness and size combinations suitable for any application. This means you can buy enough pavers for your entire hardscape without wondering if you’re using the right paver in the right place.

Permeable vs. Impervious Surfaces

Another key difference between driveway pavers and patio pavers is that many driveway pavers are offered as “permeable” options. This doesn’t mean the pavers themselves soak up water. Rather, the spacing between them is slightly larger; the jointing sand used allows water to seep through; and the underlayment is specially designed to slowly percolate water through the base material into the ground below.

There are several advantages to permeable pavers. First, you avoid puddling and flooding like you would find on a solid-surface hardscape. The larger joints between permeable pavers also let trapped heat escape, making for a cooler surface underfoot.

If your patio is situated on the north side of the home where it receives less sunlight, choosing permeable driveway pavers may be a great solution that will keep the patio drier than if water and snow had to slowly evaporate over time.

Which is Best?

In short, if you want a more heavy-duty paver installation (for example, you’ll have a hot tub or other heavy element on your patio), you can use driveway pavers anywhere (just be prepared for higher installation costs, since footings need to be deeper and you will need more base materials to support the weight).

However, do not use regular patio pavers on a driveway as they simply won’t stand up to the demands.

When in doubt, call us, and we’ll show you the best options for your style, budget, and needs!