How to Choose the Right Paver Thickness for Your Project: A Complete Guide Using 30 mm (1.18”) and 60 mm (2.36”) Proflow Permeable Pavers™

It determines how well your surface performs under pressure, how long it lasts, and how much maintenance it will need over the years.

At Proflow Permeable Pavers™ , we keep it simple and high-performance with two paver thicknesses, both made from ultra-durable black locust wood:

• Half Height Paver: 30 mm / 1.18”
  
  
• Full Height Paver: 60 mm / 2.36”
  
  

Both options are strong enough to last 50+ years, even under demanding outdoor conditions. And contrary to common misconceptions, the 30 mm (1.18”) paver is perfectly capable of handling pedestrians, and light utility vehicle traffic — making it one of the most efficient and sustainable paving materials available.

Let’s break down how to choose the right one for your specific project.

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🧱 Paver Thickness Isn’t About Strength — It’s About Use Case

In traditional paving materials like concrete or brick, thickness is a major factor in durability. But with black locust, a naturally rot-resistant hardwood with compressive strength higher than concrete, both thicknesses offer long-term structural performance.

The choice between 30 mm (1.18”) and 60 mm (2.36”)  is more about:

• Project type
  
  
• Installation method
  
  
• Desired surface profile
  
  
• Aesthetic or budget goals
  
  

🔍 Your Two Options: Half Height (30 mm/1.18”) and Full Height (60 mm/2.36”)

Paver Type

Thickness

Supports Vehicle Traffic

Lifespan

Best For

Half Height Paver

30mm / 1.18”

✅ Yes

50+ years

Patios, rooftops, pathways

Full Height Paver

60 mm / 2.36”

✅ Yes (Heavy-duty)

50+ years

Farms, driveways, equestrian paths, service roads

🪵 1. Half Height Paver (30 mm/1.18”): Slim Profile, Heavy Performance

Despite its lighter appearance, the Half Height Paver is engineered to handle real-world loads, including light utility vehicles, bikes, and everyday foot traffic. It’s also easier to transport and install, making it ideal for both residential and commercial use.

✅ Best Uses:

• Garden paths and terraces
  
  
• Rooftop gardens and balconies
  
  
• Urban courtyards
  
  
• Bicycle paths
  
  
• Commercial pedestrian walkways
  
  

💡 Benefits:

• Fully load-bearing for light utility vehicles
  
  
• Easier to install thanks to lighter weight
  
  
• Requires less excavation — perfect for renovation or shallow-depth applications
  
  
• Compatible with pedestal systems for rooftops or elevated decks
  
  

⚠️ Note:

For extra-heavy use (e.g., tractors, horse trailers, or forklifts, cars, trucks), 60 mm (2.36”) may provide additional stability and load dispersion. But in most residential and urban projects, 30 mm (1.18”) is more than enough if there will be no heavy cars, trucks, or forklifts.

💪 2. Full Height Paver (60 mm/2.36”): Built for the Toughest Environments

When maximum performance and load-bearing capacity are essential, the Full Height Paver is the go-to choice. With double the thickness and the same black locust durability, it’s ideal for extreme-use scenarios.

✅ Best Uses:

• Farm and ranch roads
  
  
• Horse stables, paddocks, and arenas
  
  
• Driveways with frequent or heavy vehicle traffic
  
  
• Industrial yards and equipment zones
  
  
• Commercial plazas with delivery access
  
  

💡 Benefits:

• Greater mass helps distribute heavy loads more evenly
  
  
• Better stability on loose, sloped, or soft subbases
  
  
• Preferred for hooved animals, high-turning forces, or frequent loading/unloading zones
  
  
• Long-term performance under dynamic weight and friction
  
  

🌍 3. Climate and Soil Adaptability: Both Thicknesses Hold Up

Whether you live in a cold, wet climate or a dry, hot one, both paver options deliver exceptional longevity. Black locust naturally resists:

• Rot and fungal decay
  
  
• Freeze-thaw cycles
  
  
• Moisture infiltration
  
  

🐎 4. Special Applications: Equestrian and Agricultural Use

Heavy equipment, hooves, and high traction areas demand more than just strength — they require grip, comfort, and durability.

• Use Full Height in paddocks, horse paths, or agricultural service roads where constant pressure and turning force are expected.
  
  
• In lighter-use rural areas, Half Height performs beautifully, especially with compacted base support.
  
  

Black locust wood also provides better traction and surface comfort for hooved animals than concrete, helping reduce fatigue and injury.

🛠 5. Subbase & Installation Tips: Permeability Is Essential

Because Proflow pavers are permeable by design, they must be installed on a permeable base system to ensure proper drainage, structural integrity, and long-term performance. This system typically includes layers of clean, angular crushed stone that allow water to pass through and infiltrate into the ground below — helping prevent runoff, flooding, and erosion. To maintain consistent drainage performance in all soil types, an underdrain system should always be included beneath the aggregate layers. This ensures that excess water is efficiently captured and redirected, preventing saturation, freeze-thaw damage, and long-term instability under the pavers.

Use Type

Recommended Permeable Base Structure

Pedestrian only

10–15 cm (4–6") compacted open-graded aggregate

Car traffic (60 mm)

15–25 cm (6–10") compacted clean crushed stone 

Heavy traffic (60 mm)

25–40 (10–16") cm permeable base with geotextile

🔧 Key Installation Requirements:

• Use clean, angular aggregate with void spaces to enable water flow — avoid sand or stone dust bedding layers.
  
  
• Include a geotextile separation fabric below the base to prevent soil migration.
  
  
• Maintain joint spacing between pavers to support water infiltration and material flexibility.
  
  
• Use permeable joint filler (e.g., crushed stone or glass grit) instead of polymeric sand.
  
  

🟩 Pro Tip:

Unlike traditional hardscaping, permeable systems like Proflow are engineered to manage water. That means you’re not just installing a surface — you’re improving drainage, reducing urban runoff, and helping recharge local aquifers.

Both the 30 mm (1.18”) and 60 mm (2.36”) Proflow pavers must be part of a full permeable paving system to function as intended, which typically includes layers of permeable base material and underdrains to ensure proper drainage, prevent water buildup, and maintain long-term structural integrity. Installation must also comply with local building codes and stormwater regulations, which often specify standards for permeable paving systems to ensure environmental safety and performance.

♻️ 6. Sustainability with No Compromise

Both our paver thicknesses offer:

• Long term carbon sequestration (each m² stores carbon instead of emitting it)
  
  
• No toxic finishes or sealants — just natural black locust durability
  
  
• Reusability — the pavers can be removed and reused decades later
  
  
• No kiln drying — lower embodied energy than traditional materials
  
  

👉 This means your project isn’t just strong — it’s climate-friendly, waste-conscious, and future-proof.

✅ Final Decision Guide

Project Type

Recommended Thickness

Garden path / patio

30 mm (1.18”) Half Height

Rooftop deck

30 mm (1.18”) Half Height

Residential driveway

60 mm (2.36”) Full Height

Bike or pedestrian trail

30 mm (1.18”) Half Height

Horse path or equestrian surface

60 mm (2.36”) Full Height

Agricultural road or barn access

60 mm (2.36”) Full Height

Urban plaza, Roadways

60 mm (2.36”) Full Height

🌿 Built to Last — No Matter What You Build

Both our 30 mm (1.18”)  and 60 mm (2.36”) black locust pavers offer:

• Lifespans exceeding 50+ years
  
  
• Structural reliability for real-world demands
  
  
• Compatibility with modern, permeable, and eco-conscious construction methods
  
  

Whether you’re designing a sustainable driveway, building a tranquil rooftop, or paving a horse stable, you don’t need to compromise strength for beauty — or sustainability for performance.

Need help choosing the right paver thickness for your site?
Let us know the project type, soil condition, and expected traffic — and we’ll recommend the best combination for long-term success.

🟩 Proflow Pavers: Stronger by Nature.