Several types of surface, including poured Pavers or concrete and natural stone, can be used for outdoor spaces. It offers a durable surface and a variety of design options to match any landscape. A paver is a single piece that is interlocking or square-edged and is made from material such as precast concrete, bricks, stone slabs, or cobblestones. In addition to concrete, pavers can be used to pave driveways, patios, walks, and other exterior spaces.
Installation Costs
Concrete is an affordable paving material since its cost per square foot is lower than any paver type. In addition, concrete offers labor cost savings and time savings as it can be installed relatively quickly as opposed to pavers, which require laborious site preparation as the base must be packed exceptionally tight to prevent the pieces from settling over time.
Aesthetic Appeal
The appearance of pavers is incomparably better than that of concrete paving. Natural charm can be found in the colors of pavers and the textures of the pavers. The great thing about concrete is that it is so versatile that there are many techniques that can be applied to totally change its appearance. One of the things that concrete can do is create the appearance of real pavers without the price tag of pavers. Stamping, staining, engraving, scoring, stenciling, and embedding stones into concrete are just a few possibilities.
Maintenance
When sealed, concrete slabs are relatively maintenance-free, making them impervious to spills and stains of any kind. Although pavers are a low-maintenance material, the joints between the pieces can be a problem because weeds, grass, and moss can grow in them. The homeowner should also pay attention to shifting pavers and cracks in mortared pavers. Regularly removing weeds will help keep the area healthy. As with pavers, bricks and concrete are susceptible to staining. In between the joints, you will find gravel or sand as well.
Longevity
Concrete slabs are much more durable than pavers, but the movement of the ground significantly affects the durability of concrete. In the event of soil shifting underneath, concrete will crack, but its surface will remain flat. According to paver contractor, when the ground settles, pavers, however, will stay intact since each paver is affected individually. They may nevertheless become tripping hazards if some pavers shift due to ground shifting.
Replacement and repair
The advantage of pavers over concrete is here. Pavers are made up of individual pieces, so new pavers can easily be added if some are damaged – easy and inexpensive. In the case of concrete, one needs to replace the slab if the damage is severe. It would be necessary to remove the slab and install a new concrete surface.
A professional concrete contractor can greatly reduce the chances of encountering this problem by ensuring that the concrete base is prepared and installed correctly. Do not forget that concrete replacement is done only when the structure is not structurally sound and is the last resort. It is possible to repair cosmetic problems with the concrete or resurface the concrete at a reasonable cost.
Combining Pavers and Concrete
The advantages and disadvantages of concrete and pavers are obvious. Wouldn’t it be great if you could use them in combination if you are having trouble choosing between them? Pavers can be installed on top of concrete. In this way, pavers won’t move out of place or create uneven surfaces when laid over concrete. If you are interested in exploring this option, consult a professional paver contractor.