Large-scale landscaping projects such as the installation of Pavers can quickly run to thousands of dollars, and many of the most sustainable Paver products will be premium.
If you have a tight budget, and who wouldn’t? Below are some tips to keep your planet’s costs low.
Shopping
Many sustainable paving products don’t just buy what’s available in hardware stores, but it’s not necessarily the case. for example, Granitrete Prices It is on average higher than decomposed granite, but significantly lower than purchasing concrete pavement. Site preparation costs are an important part of any pavement project. They may vary both depending on local soil conditions and the type of paving system installed. Therefore, it is difficult to generalize the relative costs of various pavement systems.
But I’m looking strictly Materials costporous pavement tends to be the cheapest ecopaver options, followed by Transparent concreteIntegrated permeable pavement is the most expensive. You can earn the lowest price by carefully researching manufacturers and contractors before committing.
Recent research Permeable pavement can increase initial installation costs, but it shows that reduced maintenance and stormwater management costs can make it economical over time. for example, Lifecycle Cost Analysis Considering long-term maintenance and stormwater treatment costs, permeable pavement is found to be more cost-effective than traditional pavement.
Be confused and take a long view
There’s more to it than prepayment. Don’t forget the life cycle of the product you are considering. Concrete patios will crack and stain over time and will eventually need to be replaced. On the other hand, permeable pavement is Not affected by freeze-thawing cycle. Additionally, deicing products are rarely needed to save maintenance costs. Products can also be removed Danger for pets.
At the very least, a porous or permeable pavement system can save a little money on billing for wastewater utility. However, if you have a very large project, you can also save on the costs of building and maintaining a retention pond. This is a project that costs much more than most paving projects.
Remember all three Rs
It’s easy to focus on the most eco-friendly products you’ll buy. But the most eco-friendly course is to buy less in most cases. You will definitely choose sustainable paving for your project, but be careful to consider how much area you actually need to pave. Paving can save you money by preparing your site and materials. It also uses less natural resources and helps to recharge groundwater. If you really want to mow a small area, consider replacing the grass with beautiful native shrubs and ground cover plants instead of paving.
Reducing the size of your pavement project can also make reuse easier. It’s easier to source used pavers for smaller projects than big projects. Check your local construction salvage store for landfilled pavement or use websites such as Freecycle planet To find homeowners and contractors removing old bricks or splitting concrete. Not only will you close your recycling circle, you can get the ingredients for free.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on June 18th, 2019, and was updated in May 2025.