Using pavers instead of conventional cement to construct your driveway is quite uncommon. It is understandable if you have certain questions about what paver thickness would be considered appropriate. So, how thick should driveway pavers be?
How Thick Should Driveway Pavers Be?
On average, pavers should be about 2 3/8 inches or 60.3 mm thick. Depending on which materials you are laying the pavers on, the thickness could vary slightly, but ultimately they should be around the 2 inch to 3 inch range.
What are Pavers?
Pavers are paving stones, tiles, bricks, and concrete tiles used for by builders for exterior flooring. You can add pavers in your backyard, driveway, or even as a pool landscaping idea for small or large yards. When applied accurately, they can be extremely durable and stylish. Pavers can come in all shapes and sizes, and they have been used as flooring materials for thousands of years.
Installing pavers by yourself can be more trouble than it's sometimes worth. Questions like how thick should driveway pavers be, and how thick of a base do I need? can have the most experienced homemakers puzzled. Pavers can also get loosened easily if they are not installed properly, but can be fixed easily with a couple of instructions. Luckily, we have provided some answers, and we hope they are not as confusing or as complicated as you thought.
Thin Paver vs. Thick Pavers
Whether it be in your driveway or your garden, pavers were designed to be used to bear heavyweight. Thick pavers tend to be stronger, and they often outlast thin pavers. Thick pavers are less likely to crack under intense weight and won’t need to be replaced every few years or so.
A minimum of 2 inches is recommended for basically any paving work. Anything thinner will crack under intense load and give room for weeds to sprout.
How Thick Should a Paver Base Be?
The typical paver base should be around 4-6 inches thick. It should consist of a layer of crushed concrete mixed with a soil base. The paver base is arguably as important as the pavers themselves. Without a strong crushed concrete base, pavers won’t properly lock in place and bear load properly.
Do Pavers Make for a Good Driveway?
Yes, they do. Interlocking pavers with a great and solid base will be able to bear heavy weights. Pavers tend to last a couple of decades, at least. Provided everything is in order, pavers should require little to no maintenance. In fact, they are so simple and straightforward to use; anyone can install them. You can also easily remove oil stains from pavers with a few instructions, so it’ll be easy to clean off any car oil that gets onto to.
Is it Cheaper to Lay Concrete or Pavers?
Pavers are often made of solid stone, brick, or concrete. By default, buying and installing them tends to cost more than using concrete for your driveway. Even though they might put an initial strain on your wallet, they tend to be the more pocket-friendly option out of the two in the long run. Concrete driveways will need to be redone every few years or so. Pavers could last you decades before giving you any real problems.
Bottom Line
So, if you’re thinking about adding pavers onto your driveway, it’s important to do your research prior to getting them laid. One of the questions that you should ask is, “How thick should driveway pavers be?” On average, pavers should be about 2 3/8 inches or 60.3 mm thick. Depending on which materials you are laying the pavers on, the thickness could vary slightly, but ultimately they should be around the 2 inch to 3 inch range. You can also always consult a professional that lays pavers on driveways to ensure that you’re getting the right thickness for your home.
