A turfstone driveway uses a specific style of open lattice concrete grid paver, branded as Turfstone, that lets grass grow through its cells while still supporting the weight of a car. It is one of the most established products in the permeable paving category, combining the structural strength of concrete with a lawn-like surface that blends right into the rest of your yard.
Unlike some newer plastic grid systems, Turfstone has been used in commercial and residential projects for decades, which means there is a long track record for how it performs over time. Below are eight design approaches worth considering for your property, followed by a complete breakdown of installation, cost, maintenance, and how Turfstone compares to asphalt, concrete, gravel, and standard pavers.
What Is a Turfstone Driveway?
Turfstone is a precast concrete grid paver system with open cells arranged across its surface, designed so grass can grow through while the surrounding concrete carries the structural load of vehicles. The result is a driveway that looks like a continuation of your lawn from a distance, but functions like a solid, load bearing surface up close.
Because the concrete frame does the structural work, the grass growing through the cells is mostly aesthetic and environmental rather than load bearing, though its root system does contribute to soil stability underneath. This is what allows a Turfstone driveway to hold up under daily vehicle traffic in a way that a plain lawn never could.
Top 8 Turfstone Driveway Design Ideas
1. Mixed Material Borders With Brick or Natural Stone
Combine Turfstone with brick or natural stone borders to create defined edges and add visual interest to an otherwise uniform grid. This is one of the simplest ways to make a Turfstone driveway feel finished and intentional rather than purely functional.
2. Curved Layouts That Follow Your Landscape
Rather than a straight, rigid rectangle, use Turfstone to create a curved driveway that follows the natural flow of your yard. This design works especially well on properties with mature trees or existing landscaping that a straight driveway would otherwise cut through.
3. Alternating Checkerboard or Herringbone Patterns
Install blocks in alternating directions to create a checkerboard or herringbone visual effect rather than a plain repeating grid. This adds texture and makes the driveway a more deliberate design feature rather than a purely practical surface.
4. Wheel Strip Layout for a Budget-Friendly Option
Instead of laying Turfstone across the full width of the driveway, use two Turfstone strips sized to match a car’s tire width, filling the center and edges with regular lawn or ground cover. Less of the surface needs the concrete grid this way, which reduces material costs while still providing a durable surface exactly where the vehicle’s weight lands.
5. Custom Grass Variety and Ground Cover Choices
Experiment with different grass types or ground covers in the cells for varied texture and color across the driveway. A traffic-tolerant fescue in the wheel paths combined with a different accent grass along the borders can create visual variety without sacrificing durability where it matters most.
6. Integrated Low-Voltage Lighting
Add low-voltage landscape lighting along the edges of the driveway for both safety and nighttime ambiance. This is a relatively low-cost addition that changes how the driveway functions and looks after dark, and it pairs particularly well with a curved or mixed-material border design.
7. Permeable Paver Accents for Defined Parking
Combine Turfstone with permeable pavers to define specific parking spaces or add a decorative border element. This hybrid approach is useful for driveways that also need to function as a designated parking area for multiple vehicles.
8. Wildflower Mix for a Pollinator-Friendly Look
Instead of standard grass, consider a low-growing wildflower mix in the cells for a more colorful, pollinator-friendly driveway. This works best in lower-traffic areas of the driveway, such as the edges or an overflow parking section, rather than the primary wheel paths.
Benefits of Choosing a Turfstone Driveway
- Aesthetic appeal. A Turfstone driveway offers a softer, more natural look than plain concrete or asphalt, and it creates a seamless visual transition between your driveway and the surrounding lawn.
- Environmental benefits. Allowing grass to grow through the concrete grid reduces stormwater runoff and helps limit the heat island effect, while also supporting groundwater recharge and providing a small habitat for beneficial insects.
- Durability. The concrete grid structure is built to withstand vehicle weight while protecting the grass roots underneath, which gives a properly installed Turfstone driveway a long service life.
- Versatility. Turfstone works for more than just driveways. It is also used for overflow parking areas, walkways, and erosion control on sloped sections of a property.
- Low maintenance once established. Beyond regular lawn care, a Turfstone driveway does not require much additional upkeep compared to other paving systems.
- Improved drainage. The open cells allow water to percolate directly through the surface, reducing puddling and improving overall drainage across the property.
If you are comparing green driveway materials more broadly, our complete guide to grass block pavers covers the wider category, including plastic and recycled grid systems that cost less upfront than concrete based Turfstone.
Installing a Turfstone Driveway: Step-by-Step Guide
Site Preparation
- Remove existing grass and soil to a depth of about 8 to 10 inches.
- Grade the area to ensure proper drainage away from structures.
- Compact the soil thoroughly using a plate compactor.
Base Layer Installation
- Lay a geotextile fabric to prevent the soil from mixing with the base material above it.
- Add a 4 to 6 inch layer of crushed stone or gravel.
- Compact the base layer thoroughly before moving to the next step.
Sand Bedding
- Spread a 1 inch layer of coarse sand over the compacted base.
- Level the sand using a screed board for an even surface.
Turfstone Placement
- Begin laying Turfstone blocks from one corner, making sure each block is level and properly aligned with the next, following whichever pattern from the list above you have chosen.
- Use a rubber mallet to set each block firmly into place.
- Cut blocks as needed to fit around edges, curves, or obstacles, which matters most for design idea two, the curved layout.
Filling the Cells
- Mix topsoil with sand at roughly a 50/50 ratio.
- Fill the open cells of the Turfstone with this mixture and lightly compact it.
Seeding or Sodding
- Seed the filled cells with a grass variety suited to your climate and expected foot or vehicle traffic, or plant the wildflower mix from idea eight if using a lower-traffic section.
- Alternatively, cut small pieces of sod to fit within the individual cells for faster establishment.
Watering and Establishment
Water the newly installed driveway regularly to help the grass establish. Avoid driving on the surface for at least two to three weeks to give the grass time to take root properly, since driving too early is one of the most common reasons new installations fail to establish evenly.
Tips and Best Practices
- Do not shortcut the base depth. The 8 to 10 inch excavation depth and 4 to 6 inch base layer exist for a reason. Reducing either one increases the risk of settling under vehicle weight.
- Use the geotextile fabric even if it seems optional. It keeps the base material from mixing into the native soil over time, which preserves drainage performance for years rather than just the first season.
- Choose grass seed based on your specific traffic pattern, not just your climate. A driveway used daily needs a more traffic tolerant variety than an occasional overflow parking area, which matters most for the wheel strip design in idea four.
- Respect the no driving window after installation. Two to three weeks feels long, but driving on unestablished grass is one of the most preventable causes of early bare patches.
- Consider sod over seed if you cannot avoid using the driveway soon after installation, since sod establishes faster and can tolerate light use sooner than fresh seed.
Maintenance and Care for Your Turfstone Driveway
- Mowing. Regularly mow the grass growing in the cells, keeping it at the same height as the rest of your lawn.
- Watering. Water during dry periods to keep the grass healthy, but avoid overwatering, since excess moisture can lead to soil compaction within the cells.
- Fertilizing. Apply a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth, using organic options where possible to minimize environmental impact.
- Weed control. Remove weeds by hand or use an eco-friendly herbicide to keep them from crowding out the grass in the cells.
- Reseeding. Reseed any bare patches with grass seed that matches your existing lawn.
- Snow removal. Use a plastic shovel rather than a metal one to avoid damaging the concrete grid or the grass underneath.
- Occasional cleaning. Pressure wash the Turfstone periodically to clear dirt and debris that accumulates in the cells over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping or shortening the excavation depth. A shallow base is the leading cause of settling and uneven surfaces under repeated vehicle weight.
- Driving on the driveway before the grass has established. This is the single most common reason for patchy or bare sections after installation.
- Skipping the geotextile fabric layer. Without it, base material gradually mixes into the native soil, reducing drainage performance over time.
- Overwatering established grass. This can compact the soil in the cells and work against the very drainage benefits the system is designed to provide.
- Choosing the wrong grass variety for the traffic level. A grass suited for light foot traffic will thin out quickly under daily vehicle use, particularly in the wheel strip design.
Comparing Turfstone to Other Driveway Materials
| Material | Pros | Cons |
| Asphalt | Cost effective, quick installation | Less environmentally friendly, prone to cracking, less attractive |
| Concrete | Durable, low maintenance | Can be expensive, prone to cracking, not permeable |
| Gravel | Inexpensive, good drainage | Requires frequent maintenance, can be messy |
| Pavers | Variety of designs, easy to repair | Can be expensive, may shift over time |
| Turfstone | Eco-friendly, attractive, good drainage, durable | Labor-intensive to install, requires some lawn maintenance |
Turfstone stands out as the only option here that is genuinely eco-friendly and permeable, but that comes at the cost of a more labor-intensive install and some ongoing lawn upkeep. Asphalt and gravel win on upfront cost and simplicity, concrete wins on low maintenance, and standard pavers sit in the middle on both looks and cost. The right choice comes down to whether you are prioritizing drainage and appearance, which favors Turfstone, or lowest cost and least hassle, which favors asphalt or gravel.
Environmental Impact of Turfstone Driveways
- Reduced runoff. The permeable design lets rainwater infiltrate the soil directly, reducing stormwater runoff and helping recharge local groundwater.
- Heat reduction. By allowing grass to grow across the surface, a Turfstone driveway helps mitigate the urban heat island effect compared to traditional paved surfaces.
- Carbon sequestration. The grass growing in the cells absorbs carbon dioxide, contributing in a small way to offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.
- Habitat creation. The green spaces within the grid provide a habitat for beneficial insects and microorganisms, supporting local biodiversity, an effect that is even stronger with the wildflower mix design from idea eight.
- Improved air quality. The grass helps filter airborne pollutants while producing oxygen, unlike a fully sealed concrete or asphalt surface.
The EPA’s resources on permeable pavement benefits offer additional detail on how systems like Turfstone contribute to broader stormwater management goals.
Cost Considerations for Turfstone Driveways
Several factors influence the total cost of a Turfstone driveway project.
- Materials. This includes the Turfstone blocks themselves, base materials, sand, and the soil mix used to fill the cells.
- Labor. Installation can be labor intensive, particularly for larger driveways, which affects the overall project cost.
- Site preparation. Costs vary depending on the existing condition of your property, including how much excavation and grading is needed.
- Grass establishment. Budget for seed or sod, along with the extra watering attention required during the two to three week establishment period.
- Long term maintenance. While generally low, ongoing lawn care costs should still factor into your overall budget.
Design choices matter for cost too. The wheel strip layout in idea four typically costs less than a full-width design since less Turfstone material is needed, while curved layouts and mixed material borders tend to add labor time for cutting and fitting.
The initial cost of a Turfstone driveway is typically higher than asphalt or basic concrete, but the long term environmental and drainage benefits often make it a worthwhile investment for homeowners who plan to stay in their property for years.
Is a Turfstone Driveway Right for You?
A Turfstone driveway makes the most sense for homeowners who want a durable, eco-friendly surface and do not mind some basic ongoing lawn maintenance in exchange for better drainage, a cooler surface, and a more natural appearance than plain concrete or asphalt. If your top priority is the lowest possible maintenance and you are not concerned about drainage or environmental impact, a standard paver or concrete driveway may be a simpler fit.
FAQs About Turfstone Driveway
1: What is the difference between Turfstone and other grass pavers? Ans: Turfstone is a specific branded concrete grid paver product, while grass pavers is the broader category that also includes plastic grid systems, geo-grid systems, and permeable interlocking concrete pavers. Turfstone is generally known for its durability and long track record in both residential and commercial projects.
2: Which Turfstone design idea is the most budget-friendly? Ans: The wheel strip layout is typically the most affordable, since only the tire tracks need Turfstone material while the rest of the surface uses regular lawn or ground cover.
3: How long before you can drive on a new Turfstone driveway? Ans: Most installations require avoiding vehicle traffic for at least two to three weeks after installation to allow the grass to establish properly in the cells.
4: Can a Turfstone driveway handle daily vehicle use? Ans: Yes. The concrete grid structure is specifically designed to carry vehicle loads while protecting the grass roots, which makes it suitable for daily driveway use once the grass has established.
5: Is a Turfstone driveway hard to maintain? Ans: No. Once established, maintenance is similar to caring for a regular lawn, including mowing, occasional watering, fertilizing, and reseeding any bare patches that appear.
6: Can Turfstone be used for parking areas or fire lanes, not just driveways? Ans: Yes. Turfstone is commonly used for overflow parking areas and fire lane access in commercial settings, since it provides the load capacity required while maintaining a green appearance.
7: Can you combine more than one of these design ideas in a single driveway? Ans: Yes. Many homeowners combine ideas, such as pairing a curved layout with a brick border, or using a wheel strip design with integrated lighting along the edges.
8: How does Turfstone compare to plastic grass pavers? Ans: Turfstone’s concrete construction generally offers greater durability and load capacity for driveways, while plastic grass pavers are lighter, less expensive, and easier to install for lower traffic areas or DIY projects.
Final Thoughts
A Turfstone driveway offers a proven, long-standing option in the grass paver category, and the eight design ideas above show just how much flexibility this system provides beyond a plain, uniform grid. Whether you want the budget-friendly wheel strip layout, a polished curved design with a stone border, or a pollinator-friendly wildflower accent, the underlying product adapts to a wide range of properties and design goals.
It costs more upfront and takes more careful installation than a standard concrete or asphalt driveway, but for homeowners who want a genuinely green, permeable driveway that still holds up to daily use, it remains one of the most established choices available. If you are weighing a Turfstone driveway for a property in the Bay Area, GLscapes Inc. has over a decade of experience installing permeable paving systems suited to local soil and drainage conditions. Contact us today to get a free estimate for your project.