How a Permeable Driveway Boosts Curb Appeal—and Solves Drainage Issues

Owning a home comes with a list of to-dos, including exterior maintenance. It’s common for driveways to crack and need repair over time, but if you're redoing yours, then it may be worth looking into different materials.

Driveway materials can be impermeable or permeable—so traditional concrete and asphalt, or a pervious solution that allows rainwater to pass through. There are a host of benefits to utilizing the permeable option, from returning water to the ecosystem to less weather-related damage.

Ahead, we spoke with experts in the field to better understand what permeable driveway materials are, their many benefits, and whether they can boost your curb appeal. 

What Is a Permeable Driveway?

Permeable driveway materials allow rainwater to seep directly into the soil below.

“This reduces runoff, which minimizes erosion of surrounding areas, and helps mitigate the risk of flooding,” says Olivia Harris, president of Invisible Structures, a company that designs and manufactures these materials.

Essentially, using permeable materials means rainwater won’t just sit on top of your driveway, where it can then run off into your storm drainage or towards your home’s foundation.

“Permeable solutions work by using a specially prepared base layer of crushed stone and gravel beneath the surface that acts as a reservoir and filter,” says Ross Hulstein, owner of Enviroscapes, a full-service landscape contractor. “Water passes through the paving, is retained in this layer, and gradually infiltrates the soil.”

Different Types

One of the benefits of permeable driveway materials is that there are many options to choose from. It really depends on what you’re looking for and how you want the driveway to complement your existing design.

Plastic Interlocking Pavers

Interlocking plastic porous pavers are a popular option with a grid-like structure that can be filled with grass or gravel.

“Once installed, a grass-covered permeable driveway can look almost like a continuous lawn; the paving system is hardly noticeable,” says Harris. “This is a great choice when the goal is to make the driveway visually disappear into the homeowner’s existing landscaping.”

Permeable Concrete and Asphalt

If you prefer a more traditional look, but still want the benefits of a permeable driveway, then consider permeable concrete or asphalt. These “look almost the same as traditional materials, but have a more granular and porous texture,” says Hulstein. 

Semi-Permeable Concrete or Stone Pavers

“Also popular are concrete and stone modular slabs with gaps, which create a clean, grid-like pattern,” says Hulstein. With this option, traditional pavers are installed on top of a permeable gravel base, with wider gaps that allow water to penetrate between the pavers and down into the gravel base. 

Landscape architect Paul Blanding recommends Grasspave in particular, which he's used in some of his projects.

Two-Track Driveway

Utilizing a two-track driveway combines traditional and permeable options. “The tire track areas are paved, and the middle strip is planted,” says Blanding. 

Benefits

Switching from a conventional driveway to a permeable one offers many benefits to your home and the surrounding landscape.

Allows Water Back Into the Ecosystem

A driveway made with permeable materials is incredibly eco-friendly.

“With permeable systems in place, water can replenish our local ecosystem,” says Blanding. “We want to encourage water to soak into the ground as much as possible before it reaches the sewer, where it must be treated and cleaned before re-entering the ecosystem.”

Improve Property Drainage

Water seeping back into the ground means it’s not pooling into puddles on your driveway or running off where it shouldn’t.

“Permeable paving solves the problem of standing water on the surface,” says Hulstein. “After rain, no puddles form on the path, there's no icing in winter, and water doesn't run toward the foundation.”

Less Driveway Damage

According to Harris, some permeable materials allow for expanding and contracting with temperature changes. This “helps them avoid cracking and other types of damages caused by freeze-thaw cycles,” she says. 

Reduces Heat

Using permeable driveway materials can effectively reduce heat buildup, especially in highly urban areas.

When water passes through permeable driveways, it allows for surface cooling through evaporation. In some cases, a permeable surface can be 15 to 30 degrees cooler than an asphalt surface. 

More Personalization

There are many customization options to personalize your driveway and integrate it seamlessly into your existing landscape design.

“Grass-filled porous pavers blend effortlessly into lawns or gardens, while gravel-filled options provide a natural, textured look,” says Harris. “Some permeable paving systems can even be installed in curved or custom configurations, so the driveway becomes an intentional component of the homeowner’s landscape design, rather than a visual interruption.”

Curb Appeal

Of course, elevating your home's curb appeal, should you decide to sell later, should be top of mind when making these improvements. 

But are buyers interested in permeable driveways? “Yes, especially for buyers who pay attention to durability, environmental impact, and the overall quality of engineering solutions on the property,” says Hulstein. “These buyers often understand that a permeable driveway is not a decorative element, but a thoughtful investment in the long-term performance of the home."

Blanding agrees, noting that eco-conscious individuals will appreciate permeable driveway materials. “Whether it's highly functional or not, it's always a good look for its eco-conscious presentation to the neighborhood,” he says.