Permeable Pavers: Managing Toronto’s Stormwater in Style
For decades, the "concrete jungle" of Toronto has had a water problem. When a heavy summer storm hits, the rain hits our roofs, runs down our driveways, and floods the city storm sewers. The result? Overwhelmed infrastructure and, far too often, wet basements.
To combat this, the City of Toronto has become increasingly strict. If you are applying for a Front Yard Parking pad or widening your driveway, you will likely see a mandatory requirement: The surface must be permeable.
Many homeowners panic when they hear this. They picture ugly plastic grids filled with gravel or industrial-looking asphalt.
But at Tekton Landscapes, we see permeability as an opportunity, not a limitation. Modern permeable driveways in Toronto can look exactly like high-end cobblestone or sleek modern slabs—the only difference is the "hidden engineering" underneath.
How Do Permeable Pavers Work?
Standard interlock is installed on a base of limestone screenings (crushed rock dust) which packs down like cement. It is designed to shed water off the surface.
Permeable paving is designed to let water flow through the surface.
The Joints: We use pavers with slightly wider spacer bars (nib spacers).
The Joint Material: Instead of sand (which clogs), we sweep in tiny granite chips (High Performance Bedding or HPB).
The Base: This is the magic. We excavate deeper and install a base of clean, angular stone (no dust). This creates a massive underground reservoir.
When it rains, the water disappears instantly between the stones and is stored in the gravel base below, where it slowly absorbs back into the natural soil. No puddles, no runoff, no ice patches.
Style Without Compromise
You do not have to sacrifice curb appeal for eco-friendliness. The top manufacturers have embraced this technology.
1. The Historic Look (Unilock Town Hall)
For older homes in Cabbagetown or The Annex, we love using Unilock Town Hall. It looks like a distressed, historic clay brick that has been there for 100 years. But because it has permeable spacers, we can install it to handle 100% of the stormwater runoff.
2. The Modern Look (Techo-Bloc Aquastorm or Pure)
For contemporary homes, we use large-format permeable slabs. These offer the clean, linear aesthetic of a modern driveway but are fully compliant with city stormwater management landscaping rules.
The "Winter Bonus" No One Talks About
While the City mandates permeable pavers for flood control, our clients love them for a different reason: Winter Safety.
On a traditional asphalt driveway, melting snow pools on the surface and re-freezes overnight into a sheet of black ice. On a permeable driveway, that meltwater drains immediately into the ground before it can freeze.
The Result: You use significantly less salt (which protects your car and garden) and have a slip-free surface all winter long.
Meeting City Requirements
If you are applying for a permit to park in your front yard, eco-friendly paving is usually non-negotiable.
Compliance: The City of Toronto typically requires the paving material to be permeable to approve a new parking pad.
Soft Landscaping: Remember, while permeable pavers help with water, they do not usually count towards your "Soft Landscaping" percentage (the 50/75 rule). You still need green borders! (See our previous post on Front Yard Parking for details).
Future-Proof Your Home
Climate change is bringing more intense storms to Toronto. Installing a permeable driveway isn't just about satisfying a bylaw officer; it is about protecting your home’s foundation from flooding.
Contact Tekton Landscapes to upgrade your curb appeal with a driveway that works as hard as it looks.