Pavers vs Concrete Patios

February 24, 2020

So you’ve decided that you would like to remodel your walkway, patio or driveway, but are a bit confused about whether you should go with concrete pavers or stamped concrete, don’t fret we will go over the pros and cons of each so you can make the best decision for you.

Pavers:

Pavers are the top choice for homeowners. Pavers are very versatile because they come in so many different varieties of styles and colors. Pavers offers the homeowner the ability to create a one-of-a-kind driveway, walkway or patio by mixing and matching colors and shapes. Repairing pavers is a lot more cost-efficient than repairing stamped concrete because you only need to remove the damaged pavers and replace them with new pavers. Additionally, the life expectancy of pavers is more than 30 years meaning they are built to last making them a better return on your investment than Stamped Concrete. Furthermore, Pavers are extremely durable and tough, meaning, unlike stamped concrete, you can use pavers in your driveway and not worry about them cracking. Pavers are very low maintenance. Sweeping and rinsing them off is basically all you need to do to maintain your Pavers. If any weeds sprout between the pavers just pull them out. Pavers are highly weather resistant giving them another advantage over stamped concrete if you live in an area that experiences large amounts of weather fluctuation.

Concrete:

Stamped Concrete is the fast-growing alternative to pavers. Stamped Concrete mimics higher-end materials such as stone, brick, and slate at a fraction of the price. There are a multitude of choices available at your disposal when it comes to stamped concrete. Because Stamped Concrete can mimic so many different surfaces and comes in many patterns, textures and colors that will allow you to perfectly customize your patio, driveway or walkway to match the aesthetic and feel of your backyard perfectly. Another advantage to Stamped Concrete is that it is easy to install. Stamped Concrete requires a lot less labor to install than pavers. However, getting the mixture of water and cement powder correct is vital because an imbalance can cause poor finish or premature cracking. One of the major disadvantages of Stamped Concrete is that it lacks durability. Stamped Concrete has a tendency to crack easily when it is consistently put under a heavy load which is why we do not recommend using Stamped Concrete for driveways or any areas that have very objects. Furthermore, Stamped Concrete will eventually crack due to weathering and time, meaning, even though, Stamped Concrete is less expensive than other surface choices, stamped concrete may end up costing you more money in the long run if unsightly cracks bother you.

Whether you decide to go with Pavers or Stamped Concrete both are great options. But if you need help understanding which options would be best for you or need help installing Stamped Concrete or Pavers fill out our contact form for more information and free estimate.