Protect the environment while creating an outdoor space you'll love with these options.
As environmental consciousness grows among Twin Cities homeowners, more families are seeking ways to create beautiful outdoor living spaces that also protect and enhance the natural environment. At Minnesota Landscapes, we're passionate about helping homeowners make sustainable choices that benefit both their families and Minnesota's unique ecosystem.
The good news is that choosing eco-friendly paver options doesn't mean compromising on beauty, durability, or functionality. In fact, many sustainable hardscaping solutions offer superior performance while reducing your environmental impact and often saving money over the long term.
Minnesota's landscape faces unique environmental pressures, from urban stormwater runoff that threatens our beloved lakes to the urban heat island effect that makes our summers increasingly uncomfortable. Traditional hardscaping approaches often exacerbate these problems, but thoughtful material choices can actually help solve them.
Stormwater Management Crisis
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, urban stormwater runoff is one of the leading threats to Minnesota's 11,842 lakes and 69,200 miles of rivers and streams. Traditional impervious surfaces like conventional concrete and asphalt prevent rainwater from naturally infiltrating into the ground, leading to:
Urban Heat Island Effect
The Metropolitan Council reports that Twin Cities urban areas can be 2-8 degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas due to heat-absorbing surfaces. This urban heat island effect increases energy costs, reduces comfort, and can even pose health risks during extreme weather events.
Habitat Fragmentation
As our communities grow, natural habitats become increasingly fragmented. Thoughtful hardscaping choices can help create corridors for wildlife movement and provide habitat for pollinators and other beneficial species.
Permeable pavers represent perhaps the most significant advancement in sustainable hardscaping technology. Unlike traditional solid surfaces, permeable pavers allow water to infiltrate through the surface and into underlying soil layers, closely mimicking natural ground conditions.
How Permeable Pavers Work
Permeable paver systems consist of three key components:
Types of Permeable Pavers
Pervious Concrete Pavers: Manufactured with controlled porosity that allows water to pass through while maintaining structural strength. Ideal for driveways and heavy-use areas.
Interlocking Concrete Pavers with Gaps: Traditional-looking pavers installed with wider joints filled with permeable materials like gravel or specially designed plastic grids filled with soil and grass.
Porous Asphalt Systems: While less common for residential applications, porous asphalt can be appropriate for larger driveway installations.
Grid Systems: Plastic or concrete grid systems that can be filled with gravel, grass, or other permeable materials, combining functionality with green space.
Benefits for Minnesota Properties
Using recycled materials in paver manufacturing reduces demand for virgin resources while diverting waste from landfills. Many recycled paver options offer performance advantages over traditional materials.
Recycled Concrete Pavers
Manufacturing pavers from recycled concrete aggregate offers several environmental benefits:
Recycled Glass Aggregate Systems
Crushed recycled glass can be used as aggregate in concrete pavers or as decorative surface material:
Recycled Plastic Components
While not suitable for entire pavers, recycled plastic components can be incorporated into:
Benefits Beyond Environmental
While less common for typical residential patios, porous asphalt deserves consideration for specific applications, particularly larger driveways and access areas.
When Porous Asphalt Makes Sense
Performance in Minnesota Climate
Porous asphalt requires careful consideration of Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles:
Natural stone represents the ultimate in sustainable hardscaping materials, offering centuries of proven performance with minimal environmental impact when sourced responsibly.
Minnesota's Natural Stone Heritage
Minnesota is blessed with abundant natural stone resources:
Sustainability Advantages
Longevity: Natural stone installations can last centuries with minimal maintenance, making them perhaps the most sustainable choice over their lifecycle.
Local Sourcing: Minnesota stone reduces transportation impacts while supporting local economies.
No Manufacturing Impact: Unlike manufactured materials, natural stone requires no energy-intensive production processes.
End-of-Life Value: Stone can be reclaimed and reused indefinitely, never becoming waste.
Biodiversity Support: Natural stone provides habitat for beneficial insects and creates microclimates that support plant diversity.
Types and Applications
Flagstone Patios: Large, flat stones create naturalistic patio surfaces with wide, plantable joints.
Fieldstone Walls and Borders: Rounded stones create rustic boundaries and raised planting areas.
Cut Stone Systems: Precisely cut stone offers formal appearance with natural material benefits.
Gravel and Crushed Stone: Natural aggregates for pathways and permeable surfaces.
The Twin Cities metropolitan area receives an average of 30 inches of precipitation annually, with spring snowmelt creating additional challenges. Eco-friendly pavers can significantly reduce the environmental impact of this water:
Reduced Runoff Volume: Permeable systems can reduce runoff by 30-100% compared to traditional surfaces, dramatically reducing the burden on storm sewer systems during heavy rainfall events.
Improved Water Quality: Natural filtration through soil layers removes pollutants, chemicals, and debris before water reaches groundwater or surface waters.
Flood Mitigation: Distributed water infiltration reduces peak flows that cause flooding in low-lying areas throughout the Twin Cities.
Minnesota's summers are becoming increasingly hot, with climate change projections suggesting more frequent extreme heat events. Eco-friendly pavers can help:
Light-Colored Materials: Natural stone and light-colored concrete pavers reflect rather than absorb solar radiation, keeping surfaces cooler.
Evapotranspiration: Permeable systems that incorporate vegetation provide natural cooling through plant transpiration.
Thermal Mass Reduction: Smaller individual pavers with gaps store less heat than continuous surfaces like poured concrete or asphalt.
Even hardscaped areas can contribute to local biodiversity:
Pollinator Pathways: Joints between pavers can be planted with native wildflowers and grasses that support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Microhabitats: Natural stone provides shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife.
Native Plant Integration: Eco-friendly hardscaping can be designed to incorporate native Minnesota plants that support local ecosystems.
While eco-friendly pavers sometimes carry higher upfront costs, the total cost of ownership often favors sustainable options:
Permeable Pavers:
Recycled Material Pavers:
Natural Stone:
Several Twin Cities municipalities offer financial incentives for sustainable hardscaping:
Stormwater Utility Credits: Cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul offer reduced stormwater fees for properties that manage runoff on-site.
Rain Garden and Permeable Surface Rebates: Some suburbs offer direct rebates for installing permeable surfaces as part of comprehensive stormwater management systems.
Property Tax Benefits: Green infrastructure improvements may qualify for property tax advantages in some jurisdictions.
Energy Savings: Cooler surfaces reduce air conditioning costs during hot summers.
Maintenance Reduction: Well-designed sustainable systems often require less maintenance than traditional alternatives.
Property Value: Sustainable features increasingly appeal to environmentally conscious buyers, potentially increasing resale value.
Utility Savings: Reduced stormwater fees can provide ongoing monthly savings.
Choosing locally sourced materials dramatically reduces the environmental impact of transportation while supporting the local economy:
Aggregate Sources: Minnesota has numerous gravel pits and quarries that provide base materials for paver installations.
Manufacturing Facilities: Several concrete paver manufacturers operate in Minnesota and surrounding states, reducing transportation distances.
Natural Stone Quarries: Minnesota's active quarries provide limestone, granite, and sandstone options that require minimal transportation.
The environmental impact of material transportation can be significant:
Choosing materials sourced within 200 miles of your Eagan, Apple Valley, or White Bear Lake project can reduce transportation-related environmental impact by 70-90%.
Eco-friendly pavers work best when integrated with native landscaping that supports Minnesota's natural ecosystems:
Native Plant Partnerships: Hardscaped areas can be designed to direct water toward native plant beds that provide natural filtration and habitat.
Pollinator Gardens: Joints between pavers can be planted with native wildflowers that bloom throughout the growing season, supporting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Rain Gardens: Permeable hardscaping can be integrated with rain gardens that capture and filter stormwater runoff.
Wildlife Corridors: Thoughtful design can create pathways that allow small wildlife to move safely through developed areas.
Low-Growing Options for Joints:
Border and Edge Plants:
Our landscape design team can help integrate native plants with your sustainable hardscaping to create a cohesive, environmentally beneficial outdoor space.
The environmental benefits of eco-friendly pavers compound over their lifetime:
Water Quality Improvement: Years of natural filtration improve groundwater quality and reduce pollution in local waterways.
Carbon Sequestration: Permeable systems that incorporate vegetation continue to sequester carbon throughout their lifetime.
Habitat Development: Wildlife populations adapt to and benefit from sustainable hardscaping over time.
Microclimate Benefits: Cooler surfaces and increased vegetation create more comfortable outdoor environments.
Maintenance Costs: Well-designed sustainable systems often require less maintenance than traditional alternatives over their lifetime.
Utility Savings: Ongoing reductions in stormwater fees and energy costs provide continuous financial benefits.
Replacement Costs: Durable materials like natural stone and high-quality permeable pavers often last longer than traditional alternatives.
Property Value: Sustainable features continue to gain value as environmental consciousness grows among homebuyers.
Eco-friendly paver systems often have more complex installation requirements than traditional hardscaping:
Drainage Design: Permeable systems require careful attention to subsurface drainage and grading.
Base Preparation: Sustainable systems may require specialized base materials and installation techniques.
Integration Challenges: Connecting permeable and traditional surfaces requires expertise to prevent water damage.
Code Compliance: Municipal regulations for sustainable hardscaping continue to evolve, requiring up-to-date knowledge.
At Minnesota Landscapes, our design-first approach ensures that sustainability is integrated into every aspect of your project:
Site-Specific Design: We assess your property's unique conditions to recommend the most appropriate sustainable options.
Material Selection: Our relationships with local suppliers ensure access to the best sustainable materials available in Minnesota.
Integration Expertise: We seamlessly integrate hardscaping with exterior lighting, tree placement, and landscape features.
Long-term Support: Our maintenance services ensure that your sustainable hardscaping continues to perform optimally for decades.
Not every eco-friendly option is appropriate for every site. Professional assessment should consider:
Soil Conditions: Clay soils may require different approaches than sandy soils for permeable systems.
Slope and Drainage: Steep slopes or poor drainage may limit permeable paving options.
Use Patterns: High-traffic areas may require different materials than occasional-use spaces.
Aesthetic Goals: Sustainable options should complement your overall landscape design and home architecture.
Minnesota's harsh climate requires special attention to material selection:
Freeze-Thaw Resistance: All materials must withstand repeated freezing and thawing cycles.
Salt Tolerance: Deicing salts can damage some materials, requiring careful selection for driveways and walkways.
UV Resistance: Intense summer sun can fade or degrade some materials over time.
Moisture Management: Materials must handle everything from dry summers to wet springs without degrading.
Define Your Goals: Consider both functional needs and environmental objectives for your outdoor space.
Assess Your Site: Professional site analysis ensures appropriate material selection and design.
Set Your Budget: Include both initial investment and long-term maintenance costs in your planning.
Choose Your Team: Work with professionals experienced in sustainable hardscaping techniques.
We serve homeowners throughout the Twin Cities metro area, including Cottage Grove, Mendota Heights, Afton, and Shoreview, bringing decades of experience with Minnesota's unique climate challenges.
Our process includes:
As climate change continues to impact Minnesota's weather patterns, sustainable hardscaping will become increasingly important. Properties designed with environmental considerations will be better positioned to handle more intense storms, longer droughts, and more extreme temperature swings.
By choosing eco-friendly paver options today, you're not just creating a beautiful outdoor space – you're contributing to a more sustainable future for Minnesota's communities and natural environment.
Ready to explore sustainable paver options for your property? Contact Minnesota Landscapes today to schedule a consultation and discover how eco-friendly hardscaping can enhance both your outdoor living experience and your environmental impact.
Together, we can create beautiful outdoor spaces that you'll love for decades while protecting the Minnesota environment for future generations.
