Poured concrete is the most common material used for outdoor spaces and offers the advantage of a durable surface with many design options to match any landscape. Pavers are individual pieces that can have an interlocking or square-edged design and can be made from different materials, such as precast concrete, brick, stone slabs, or pavers. Pavers are used as an alternative to concrete in paving paths, patios, walkways, and other exterior areas.
Cost and installation
The cost per square foot of concrete is lower than any type of paver, making it a more affordable paving material. Concrete also offers savings in labor and time costs because its installation is relatively easier than installing pavers, which require tedious site preparation since the base must be packaged extremely well so that the pieces do not settle.
Visual appeal
Without a doubt, pavers look much better than a smooth gray concrete pavement. The colors and texture of the pavers exhibit a natural charm. The good news is that concrete is such a versatile material that many techniques can be applied to completely transform its appearance. Being able to look like real pavers is just one of the effects that can be achieved with concrete, without the price of pavers. Concrete can be stamped, stained, engraved, scored, stenciled, and stone embedded, to name a few possibilities.
Maintenance
Concrete slabs are virtually maintenance-free, especially if they are sealed, making the surface impervious to all kinds of spills and stains. With pavers, the material itself also requires little maintenance, but the spaces between each piece often need regular care because weeds, grass, and moss will grow in these joints. In addition to regularly removing weeds before they infest the area, the homeowner must also watch out for shifting pavers and cracks in mortar pavers. Brick and concrete pavers are also susceptible to staining. The gravel or sand between the joints.
Durability
Concrete slabs are significantly more durable than pavers, but the movement of the ground greatly affects concrete, making it more prone to cracking if the ground beneath it becomes unstable, although its surface will remain flat. However, the pavers will not crack when the soil settles because the settlement will affect the individual units. However, they could become a tripping hazard when some of the pavers move upward as a result of ground movement.
Repair and replacement
This is where pavers have an advantage over concrete. Since the pavers consist of separate units, if a couple of pavers get damaged, just take those pieces out and replace them with new ones, easy and inexpensive. The reverse is true for concrete if the slab is severely damaged and requires replacement. The entire slab would have to be removed and a new concrete surface installed. This problem can be largely avoided by hiring a professional concrete contractor to perform your concrete work to ensure the preparation of the base and the installation of quality concrete. Also, keep in mind that concrete replacement is always the last resort and is done only when the structure is no longer solid. Cosmetic problems on the concrete surface can be repaired or the concrete can be resurfaced at a reasonable cost.
Combination of pavers and concrete
As you can see, concrete and pavers have their own advantages and disadvantages. If you’re having a hard time deciding which one to use, why not combine them? Concrete is an excellent base for pavers. Laying pavers on concrete will eliminate problems with pavers moving out of place and creating uneven surfaces. Consult with a professional concrete contractor to explore this option.
