Permeable vs. Non-Permeable Surfaces: What’s the Difference?

What’s Beneath Your Feet Matters More Than You Think

When most people think about paving, they imagine the surface: smooth concrete sidewalks, asphalt roads, or stone patios. But few stop to consider what happens beneath their feet—how these materials interact with water, air, soil, and the environment.

That difference matters more than ever in 2025, as cities face rising temperatures, flash floods, and worsening soil degradation. The choice between permeable and non-permeable surfaces isn’t just about aesthetics or cost—it’s a question of climate resilience, ecological impact, and even long-term maintenance.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

• The core differences between permeable and non-permeable surfaces
  
  
• Why this distinction matters for stormwater, soil, and heat
  
  
• The benefits of using wood pavers and other permeable pavers in your next project
  
  
• How to decide which type is right for your application
  
  

What Are Non-Permeable Surfaces?

Non-permeable (or impervious) surfaces are materials that completely block water from passing through. These include:

• Traditional concrete slabs
  
  
• Asphalt
  
  
• Brick or stone laid on compacted, sealed bases
  
  
• Tiled patios with mortar joints
  
  

Water hits these surfaces and has nowhere to go—so it runs off the edge, carrying pollutants, overwhelming storm drains, and causing erosion.

🔴 Downsides of Non-Permeable Surfaces:

• Increased stormwater runoff
  
  
• Higher risk of flooding in urban areas
  
  
• Erosion at the edges of the pavement
  
  
• No water infiltration = dry, compacted soils
  
  
• Traps heat (urban heat island effect)
  
  
• Doesn’t recharge groundwater
  
  

In cities where over 40% of the land surface is paved, the cumulative effect is dramatic. These surfaces contribute to flash floods, degraded water quality, and overheated neighborhoods.

What Are Permeable Surfaces?

Permeable (or pervious) surfaces allow water and air to flow through them into the soil below. Instead of directing rainwater to storm drains, they filter it naturally—reducing runoff and mimicking the way nature handles rain.

Types of permeable surfaces include:

• Porous asphalt or porous concrete
  
  
• Gravel or crushed stone
  
  
• Interlocking permeable pavers
  
  
• Wood pavers
  
  

The key isn’t just the material itself, but how it’s installed—usually over a graded, open-aggregate base that temporarily holds water and lets it slowly infiltrate the soil.

✅ Benefits of Permeable Surfaces:

• Reduced runoff and flooding
  
  
• Cleaner waterways (natural filtration)
  
  
• Better soil health and groundwater recharge
  
  
• Cooler surfaces (less heat absorption)
  
  
• Compliance with green building codes and stormwater regulations

The Rise of the Permeable Paver: Function Meets Design

One of the most flexible and design-friendly options in the permeable category is the permeable paver—a modular surface material (like bricks, stones, or wooden blocks) laid with gaps or open joints.

When installed on a permeable base, these systems look like traditional hardscapes but act like mini eco-systems. Rain seeps between the joints into a sublayer of gravel or sand that filters and holds the water before it returns to the ground.

They’re ideal for:

• Driveways
  
  
• Patios
  
  
• Parking lots
  
  
• Walking paths
  
  
• Equine and agricultural surfaces
  
  

Wood Pavers: The Natural Permeable Paver You’ve Been Waiting For

Wood is often overlooked as a paving material—but with the right species and design, it becomes a powerhouse of both beauty and functionality.

At Proflow, we use black locust—a naturally durable, rot-resistant hardwood that doesn’t require chemical treatments. When shaped into modular blocks and installed over a permeable base, it becomes one of the most sustainable paving options on the market.

Why Wood Pavers Work So Well in Permeable Applications:

• Installed with gravel or open-joint systems
  
  
• Water drains through the joints, not absorbed by the wood
  
  
• Avoids surface pooling and erosion
  
  
• Gentle on feet, hooves, and paws
  
  
• Naturally sequesters carbon for decades
  
  
• Biodegradable at the end of its life
  
  

Wood pavers have been used historically in cities—like early 1900s New York and Chicago—because they were quieter, cooler, and better for horses. Today, with modern engineering and environmental demands, they’re making a strong comeback.

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(Nicolson pavement, alternatively spelled "Nicholson" and denominated wooden block pavement and wood block pavement, is a road surface material consisting of wooden blocks. Samuel Nicolson invented it in the mid-19th century. Wooden block pavement has since become unfavored because of its poor surface quality and high cost of maintenance.)

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Use Cases: When and Where to Use Each

✅ Use Permeable Pavers When:

• You want to reduce runoff or comply with stormwater regulations
  
  
• Your project is in an urban area prone to flooding or heat
  
  
• You want a softer, more natural look and feel
  
  
• Sustainability is a key part of your project vision
  
  
• You’re working in equestrian, agricultural, or park settings
  
  

⚠️ Use Non-Permeable Surfaces When:

• Absolute waterproofing is required (e.g., under buildings)
  
  
• You're on a steep slope where water needs to be directed away
  
  
• Budget and short-term installation speed are more important than long-term environmental benefit
  
  

Even in these cases, combining non-permeable and permeable zones can greatly improve ecological performance.

A Note on Installation: The Base Makes the Difference

A common mistake is to install permeable pavers (like wood or stone) on a non-permeable base. This defeats the purpose and can cause pooling or failure.

To unlock the benefits:

• Use graded open-aggregate base layers
  
  
• Include geotextile fabric to prevent mixing with subsoil
  
  
• Maintain joint spacing with sand or stone chips
  
  
• Ensure water has somewhere to go (avoid trapped zones)
  
  

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.

This is especially important for wood pavers, which shine when given proper drainage and airflow.

Conclusion: The Future Is Permeable, and the Material Is Natural

As cities evolve and environmental awareness grows, the way we pave our spaces must change too. The shift toward permeable pavers isn’t a trend—it’s a necessity driven by real challenges: flooding, climate change, heat islands, and ecosystem degradation.

Among permeable options, wood pavers stand out for their unique blend of durability, sustainability, and visual warmth. By allowing the ground to breathe and water to flow, they restore a natural balance beneath our built environments.

Whether you're designing a driveway, revitalizing a park path, or building equestrian infrastructure, choosing a permeable paver system—especially with wood pavers—means paving the way for a greener, cooler, and more resilient future.

💬 Want to Learn More?

Contact our team at Proflow to discover how our black locust wood pavers can transform your next project—naturally and beautifully.