SuDS stands for Sustainable Drainage Systems – a way of managing rainwater at the point where it falls, rather than collecting and piping it away. Permeable paving is one of the most practical ways to achieve this: instead of letting water pool on a paved surface, it is allowed to seep directly into the ground through the joints between tiles. This page explains what SuDS paving means in practice, how permeable paving works, and how PaveDrain makes it easy to achieve on a terrace, driveway or tile path.
The idea behind SuDS is straightforward: rainwater that falls on a hard surface should be managed on-site rather than sent directly to the municipal sewer. On a conventional paved surface, water runs off to a drain – and during heavy rain, that puts pressure on the sewer network and can cause flooding elsewhere. A SuDS-compliant surface handles water differently. It slows it down, filters it, and returns it to the ground gradually.
Permeable paving is a SuDS technique. By allowing water to pass through the paving surface and into the ground below, it replicates what would happen naturally if the ground were not paved at all. The water table is replenished, the sewer is not loaded, and puddles do not form on the surface.
PaveDrain is a permeable paving system for tile surfaces. It creates open joints between tiles that let rainwater seep through immediately as it falls – directly into a layered pebble sub-base below, which absorbs and gradually releases the water into the ground.
The two terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction worth understanding.
Permeable paving means water passes through the paving surface itself – through joints, pores or gaps between tiles – directly into the structure below. PaveDrain is a permeable paving system: the open 20 mm joint between tiles is the entry point for rainwater.
SuDS paving is a broader term. It covers any paving arrangement where water is managed on-site rather than discharged immediately to the sewer – whether that means water passing through the paving, running off to a garden border, or being collected in an underground soakaway. All permeable paving is SuDS-compliant. Not all SuDS-compliant paving is permeable.
In practical terms, permeable paving with open joints is often the simplest and most visually clean approach – there is no channel drain to install, no fall to build into the surface, and no underground crate to maintain. The paving itself does the work.
PaveDrain achieves permeable paving through a precisely dimensioned spacer that sits between tiles and holds the joint open at 20 mm. The spacer does two things at once: it maintains the correct drainage gap and it functions as a structural support, keeping the tiles uniform, controlled and held together across the whole surface.
Beneath the tiles, the sub-base is built specifically for drainage. A coarse pebble layer at the bottom acts as a reservoir – capable of absorbing the volume of water from heavy rain or cloudbursts. A middle layer sits above that, and a fine screed forms the top layer and part of the joint material. No sand is used, because sand reduces permeability over time.
The result is a surface that drains immediately as rain falls, dries quickly afterwards, and requires no slope to direct water to a single point. The joint area across the paving should represent 10-14% of the total surface for traffic class T2 – this is the open surface needed for the system to work correctly.
Permeable paving with PaveDrain works across a wide range of outdoor surfaces:
For project inspiration, visit the PaveDrain gallery.
Conventional paving directs rainwater into the sewer. Permeable paving returns it to the ground. That difference has real environmental consequences: local drainage replenishes the water table, reduces pressure on municipal drainage networks, and helps prevent the localised flooding that occurs when sewers are overwhelmed during heavy rain.
PaveDrain adds a further environmental dimension through its material. The spacer is manufactured from 100% PEHD – Polyethylene High-Density plastic – which is completely non-toxic and produced by PaveSystems in Denmark as part of a circular economy. Worn-out products are reprocessed rather than sent to landfill.
By using local drainage, you are also not loading the municipal sewer network with your surface water. In some areas, this means you may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to 40% of your sewer connection fee. Not all municipalities offer this – contact your local authority to find out what applies in your area. Any disconnection from the sewer must be carried out by an authorised sewer professional.
What is the difference between permeable paving and regular paving?
Regular paving is impermeable – water runs off the surface and must be directed somewhere, either to a drain, a channel, or a graded slope. Permeable paving allows water to pass through the joints between tiles directly into the ground. With PaveDrain, that happens across the whole surface simultaneously, so no slope is needed and puddles do not form.
Do I need a slope for permeable paving?
No. Because water drains vertically through the open joints rather than running across the surface to a single drain point, there is no need to build a fall into the paving. This is one of the practical advantages of PaveDrain – the surface can be completely level.
Can PaveDrain be used on a driveway with car traffic?
Yes. PaveDrain is manufactured from PEHD plastic, which withstands heavy traffic from cars and trucks. The spacer maintains the joint under load without breaking or deforming.
What kind of sub-base does permeable paving need?
The sub-base for a PaveDrain installation is made from layered pebble – coarser at the bottom, finer toward the top – with no sand. Sand is not used because it reduces permeability over time. The pebble layers act as a reservoir for rainwater, absorbing and gradually releasing it into the ground.
How do I know how many PaveDrain spacers I need?
Use the free PaveDrain calculator – enter your project dimensions and it will tell you exactly how many spacers are required. You can also download a free brochure from the PaveDrain page.
Do you need help finding the right solution for you?
Contact Us +45 8637 7133 or send us an email via the form here for a non-binding chat about the possibilities.
