Comparison
60mm vs 80mm Pavers
60mm (2 3/8") pavers are for pedestrian surfaces — patios, walkways, pool decks and terraces. 80mm (3 1/8") pavers are for residential driveways and vehicular areas, where the thicker unit and deeper base resist the concentrated loads of braking and turning wheels.
60mm
- —Patios, walkways, pool decks, courtyards, pedestal roof decks
- —Lower material cost and lighter handling
- —Widest selection of colors and formats
80mm
- —Residential driveways, aprons, shared drive lanes
- —Better load transfer under vehicles
- —Pairs with a deeper compacted base and herringbone layout
Side by side
| Criterion | 60mm | 80mm |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian areas | Recommended | Acceptable but unnecessary |
| Residential driveway | Not recommended | Recommended |
| Commercial traffic | No | Heavy-vehicular units and engineered base |
| Base depth | 4"–6" typical | 6"–8"+ depending on soil |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
The verdict
Match thickness to the heaviest load the surface will ever see, including delivery trucks and construction traffic across a patio. When a pedestrian area might be crossed by vehicles, specify 80mm.
Frequently asked
- Can I use 60mm pavers on a driveway?
- It is not recommended. Vehicle loads call for 80mm units — or heavy-vehicular units for commercial traffic — over a base designed for the traffic.
- Is 80mm worth it for a patio?
- Usually not. Unless vehicles or heavy equipment will cross it, 60mm performs well and costs less.