In 2020, more people than ever have been taking to the idea of outdoor renovations. It gives you the feeling of more floor space for your home, more ways to enjoy the yard and entertain guests. But most of all, a great big, beautiful patio just looks fantastic. Best of all, it's one of the easiest and most visible ways to add real value to your home. So, with the patio craze going full swing, we often get the question, "Should I get a paver stone patio or concrete pavers for my new patio project?"
To this we say, it depends on the look you're going for and how much you are able to budget for your project. But, of course, there are other considerations to take into account. So let's get into the full pavers vs stamped concrete patio breakdown.
While these two patio options are roughly the same in the most basic terms, there are some important differences. Pavers tend to be more visually appealing than a concrete slab. This tends to make them better suited to outdoor living areas, whereas concrete may be more suited for use in pool decking, sports areas, work areas, and the like. You wouldn't want a beautiful paver in a spot that's just going to get oil poured on it and you wouldn't want to use slick paver decking in an area where people are likely to slip and fall. So your use-case is the biggest consideration, we feel.
Pavers are more challenging to install since more design considerations must go into the job. Concrete, by contrast, simply needs to be poured into a trench, ditch, or into formed wooden borders. To do a paver installation right takes more careful planning and preparation.
While concrete is easy to maintain, it will crack in time. A paver will also crack in theory, not that we've ever seen it happen, but they are much more durable under the recommended loads. Weeds, plants, and tree roots are a big concern for both types of surfaces. But pavers can make use of polymer sand in between any cracks to prevent air and water to get in. This essentially makes unwanted foliage ingress impossible. Of course, with concrete, cracks might be acceptable for your intended use. It all comes down to what you intend to do with the area.
Any hard surface can become slippery in the right conditions. While pavers tend to have much less texture than a concrete slab, they do come in segments that will offer some decent traction in normal conditions. Still, you may be more likely to slip on pavers or on slick concrete. But a smooth surface will also hurt less when hands, knees, or other parts of the body come down on them. At the end of the day, the safest type of pavement to use will depend on what you are doing on it, the weather conditions, and other environmental factors. So choose carefully when you design your outdoor renovations, and ask a professional installer what he recommends for your paver project.
Pavers do tend to be more expensive to buy and install. But they add more value to a property because they have high curb appeal. If you plan to sell your home in the future, then the added resale value is well worth the cost. If, on the other hand, you plan to keep the home in the family, then resale isn't terribly important.
Paver patio cost per square foot: $10 to $20
Concrete patio pavers cost per square foot: $6 to $10
Based on these prices, we can say that a 20x20ft paver patio will cost between $4,000 and $8,000 to install, whereas the concrete option will cost roughly half that. As you can see, the paver option is clearly more expensive. But the benefits of a square paver patio go far beyond the added square footage to your outdoor living space.
While concrete is clearly cheaper, it is arguably a lower quality material. Concrete is great for a sports area, a grilling, an automotive work area, and the like. A paver patio, by comparison, adds beauty to your outdoor amenities.
A concrete patio is simple and standard. It is the status quo, and will not disappoint. A paver patio is customizable and contributes to a more luxurious atmosphere. It should be noted that a brick and concrete patio design can be very attractive, is much more customizable, and allows for much more creativity in design than concrete alone. If cost is a factor, but you still want an eye-pleasing design, brick and concrete patio could be a good option.
Concrete will crack over time and can be repaired rather simply. Paver surfaces will support more weight without cracking and are less prone to become brittle with time. A good concrete slab can be expected to last for 25 years or more, while a paver patio can be expected to endure for 50 years or longer.
Maintaining a concrete patio is simple. They can be sealed and resurfaced without much problem. But they will need repairs sooner and more often. Maintaining a paver is more involved, but you need not expect to have to worry about maintaining a paver for at least the first ten years of its life.
Concrete slabs do well in freezing temperatures if they are sealed. Pavers need to be made from freezing resistant materials, which are available. When it comes to slip resistance, concrete can be improved with coating or texturing. Pavers are typically good in this regard but can be more slippery in icy conditions.
Concrete slabs are utilitarian and do little to add to the value of your home. A paver patio, by contrast, can be expected to add double the cost of installation to the value of your home. That means you can easily recoup the cost when you sell.
To learn more about patio pavers near me, contact the lawn and patio experts at First Class Lawn Care today. Our team of decking, landscaping, and total yard care and beautification professionals have the tools and the experience to make your outdoor space into a thing of beauty.