Rubber Pavers

Bottom line: Our rubber pavers typically last 15–20+ years, and 25 years isn’t unusual with a proper base and normal upkeep. Additionally, rubber pavers don't require the recurring sealing and crack repairs you see with many rigid pavers.

ECORE rubber pavers are built for durability and typically last 15-20+ years under normal use, with many installs still performing reliably at 25 years. That long lifespan comes from rubber’s natural flexibility and its resistance to the kinds of environmental stress that wear down more rigid surfaces.

By comparison, concrete pavers often last 15-25 years, but they usually require regular sealing (about every 2-3 years) and you’ll commonly deal with cracks, settling, and joint issues over time. Brick can last 50-100 years, but that lifespan usually depends on consistent upkeep like joint repointing and sealing. Rubber pavers, on the other hand, tend to maintain their integrity without all those recurring maintenance steps.

One of the biggest reasons rubber pavers hold up well is freeze-thaw resistance. In cold climates like Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, and other northern states, water can seep into joints, freeze, and lead to heaving or cracking in concrete and other rigid pavers. Rubber’s flexibility lets it handle those temperature swings without cracking or shifting, which is a real advantage when winters are rough.

Installation matters, too. A proper base and basic maintenance (annual sweeping and an occasional rinse) help maximize lifespan. And when installed to spec with ECORE’s recommended adhesive, E-Grip III, you get a durable bond and a surface that shows minimal wear over decades.

Durability factors:

Bottom line: Rubber pavers typically range from $10-$13 per square foot depending on thickness and quantity. That's comparable to premium pavers like bluestone or travertine, but with significantly lower lifetime costs due to the minimal maintenance requirements rubber pavers have.

The upfront cost of rubber pavers sits in the mid-to-premium range for outdoor flooring, around $10-13 per square foot. The real story however is total cost of ownership. Concrete may cost less initially ($6-$10/sq ft installed), but add in periodic sealing, crack repairs, and eventual replacement and the numbers flip.

Rubber pavers require no sealing, no chemical treatments, and typically last 15-20+ years without cracking or shifting. For most homeowners and facility managers, rubber pavers pay for themselves within 5-7 years through maintenance savings alone. We offer volume discounts for larger projects. Buy online or contact us for a quote.

Bottom line: Rubber pavers are naturally slip-resistant, even when wet. Their textured surface and inherent grip make them one of the safest choices for pool decks, entryways, barn aisles, and any area exposed to moisture.

Slip resistance is one of the top reasons people choose rubber pavers for pools, wash bays, and outdoor spaces. Unlike sealed concrete or smooth stone, rubber has a higher coefficient of friction allowing it to maintain traction when wet because of its porous texture and natural friction.

Our premium ECORE pavers are engineered with a surface profile that channels water away and provides grip underfoot—no coatings or treatments required. That's why they're specified for playgrounds, senior living facilities, equestrian wash stalls, and anywhere slip-and-fall prevention matters.

The rubber paver safety advantage:

Bottom line: Yes—rubber pavers are safe and beneficial for animals. The cushioned, non-slip surface reduces joint stress, prevents slipping, and is gentle on hooves and paws without being too soft and hard to walk on.

Rubber pavers are a favorite in equestrian facilities, dog kennels, and veterinary clinics because they combine safety with comfort. For horses, the shock-absorbing surface eases strain on legs and joints during grooming, washing, and turnout—critical for animals that spend hours standing on hard surfaces.

The slip-resistant texture prevents falls in wash stalls and barn aisles, even when wet. For dogs and other pets, rubber provides a softer, cooler surface than concrete, reducing paw fatigue and overheating. The material is non-toxic, easy to clean, and stands up to heavy use without cracking or shifting.

Why rubber pavers are great for animals:

Bottom line: Rubber pavers are UV-stabilized and designed for outdoor use, so significant fading is rare. You may see slight mellowing over many years, but the color remains consistent and attractive long-term.

Our ECORE rubber pavers are manufactured with UV inhibitors built into the material, not just applied as a surface coating. This means the color is protected throughout the entire thickness of the paver, not just on top.

In real-world use, customers report that colors hold up well even in full-sun locations like pool decks and patios. Over 10-15+ years, you may notice some natural mellowing—similar to how a deck or stone patio develops character—but dramatic fading or discoloration is not typical. Darker colors (black, gray, brown) tend to show the least change over time.

Rubber pavers stay vibrant:

Bottom line: Yes, but use the right thickness. Our 1.75" rubber pavers are rated for vehicular traffic including cars, trucks, and light equipment. Standard 1" pavers are better suited for lighter occasional vehicle traffic and foot traffic.

If you're paving a driveway, parking area, or any surface where vehicles will drive or park, choose our 1.75" thick pavers. These are engineered to handle the weight and repeated stress of cars, trucks, golf carts, and light equipment without compressing or shifting.

For patios, walkways, pool decks, and other pedestrian-only areas, our standard 1" pavers are the right choice—they're lighter, easier to handle, and cost less. Not sure which you need? Our team can help you choose based on your specific project.

Rubber pavers for any use case:

Bottom line: Yes—our rubber pavers are made from 100% recycled commercial tires (about one tire per square foot) and are fully recyclable at end of life. They also require far less energy to manufacture than concrete or stone.

Sustainability is built into every rubber paver we sell. Each square foot diverts roughly one tire from landfills, and the manufacturing process uses 60-70% less energy than producing virgin concrete.

Beyond the material itself, rubber pavers support stormwater management when installed as permeable systems—water drains through the joints instead of running off into storm drains. For commercial projects, this can contribute to LEED certification and green building credits. At end of life (15-20+ years down the road), the pavers can be recycled again rather than ending up in a landfill.

The environment prefers rubber pavers:

Bottom line: Absolutely. Rubber paver installation is a true DIY project—no special tools or skills required. Most homeowners complete a patio or pool deck in a single weekend.

You don't need to be a contractor to install rubber pavers. The process is straightforward: prepare your base (concrete, compacted stone/gravel, asphalt, or plywood), apply adhesive if needed, add a border if needed, and lay the pavers. They cut easily with a utility knife, circular saw, bandsaw, or jig saw.

Our step-by-step installation guide (above) walks you through each method, and our team is available by phone or email if you hit any snags. Hiring a contractor is always an option, but most customers find DIY saves $3-$5 per square foot in labor costs.

Why DIY Rubber Pavers:

Bottom line: Rubber pavers go over a stable, well-draining base. Outdoors that’s usually concrete or asphalt, or an engineered crushed-stone base. Indoors, they can go over a hard subfloor or plywood underlayment.

What goes under rubber pavers depends on whether you’re installing outdoors or indoors, and what you’re installing over. The base matters because it’s what prevents settling, drainage problems, and pavers shifting over time.

When installing outdoors:

ECORE lists these acceptable surfaces: concrete, asphalt, and in some cases compacted crushed stone, depending on the product and install method.

If you’re building a base on bare ground, you’re essentially creating an engineered foundation: excavate about 9 inches, then rebuild with about 6 inches of compacted crushed stone (gravel) plus about 1 inch of stone dust for leveling, and make sure it’s properly sloped for drainage. ECORE calls out a drainage slope of 1 inch in 8 LF where applicable.

One important nuance: ECORE recommends that compacted crushed stone is tied specifically to the 1-3/4" interlocking pavers for loose-lay installs, and loose-lay requires a border, reducer, or curb. They also note that movement or subsidence in a crushed-stone base can happen and those conditions are warranty exclusions, which is another reason compaction and prep matter.

If you’re installing over existing concrete or asphalt, you can typically skip gravel. Clean the surface thoroughly, then adhere the pavers using E-Grip III with a 1/8" square-notch trowel, which ECORE states yields about 65 sq ft per gallon.

When installing indoors:

You can also install over plywood/wood subfloors, but this is an interior substrate callout, not an exterior one. ECORE specifies wood subfloors should be double construction with at least 1" total thickness, rigid and free from movement, with at least 18" of well-ventilated air space below. For underlayment, they prefer APA underlayment-grade plywood, minimum 1/4", fully sanded face. Avoid using particle board, chip board/OSB, Masonite, and lauan as underlayment materials.

Base material guidance:

Bottom line: Yes—concrete is the ideal base for rubber pavers. You can install directly over existing concrete using polyurethane adhesive, which creates a permanent, rock-solid bond without removing your old slab.

Installing over concrete is one of the most popular methods because it's fast, affordable, and avoids demolition costs. The concrete just needs to be clean, dry, and reasonably level (minor cracks and imperfections are fine—rubber pavers hide them).

Apply polyurethane adhesive in a thin consistent layer using a 1/8" square-notch trowel, set the pavers, and you're done. Most DIYers complete a typical patio in a single weekend. This approach works great for patios, pool decks, garage floors, and commercial entryways where tearing out the old slab would be expensive and disruptive.

Scroll up to see our interactive 'Installation Guide' to learn more about the steps involved with installing rubber pavers over concrete.

Bottom line: Use our online paver quantity calculator to calculate how many rubber pavers you need for your job. To use the calculator, CLICK HERE.

Approximately 3.42 pavers are needed per one square foot of space. We recommend adding an extra 5% of material to accommodate for cuts, mistakes, etc. as its much easier to have a few too many pavers than not enough.