Examples of a paver patio
If you are looking to make a new sidewalk or patio, one question you should ask yourself is, what is the advantage of one over the other. Is there an advantage to using pavers over using a concrete slab? Is there a cost difference? Does one last longer than the other? Is one more maintenance than the other? These are questions I will highlight in this short blog.
The advantage. Well, there can be advantages to both. A concrete slab is very traditional, fairly easy to install, and will last a long time with very little up keep. However, pavers are very contemporary, fairly easy to install, and will last just as long. With concrete, you have to level the dirt, backfill rock and then get a concrete truck to drive to your spot and pour. Depending on the size of your spot, you have to pay for more concrete than you are planning on using due to a minimum truck order. After letting the concrete dry, and hoping for no low spots that hold water, you will backfill dirt around the edges and viola, a patio or sidewalk. Hopefully it will not crack so to let water get under it a freeze and create new cracks.
With pavers, you have to level the dirt, backfill with small rock as the leveling product, and then just start laying the pavers out in the pattern you so choose. After all the pavers are dry laid on the gravel, then you sweep in sand in the joints to ‘lock’ them in place. Once they are sanded in, they will not move (typically). I like pavers from an environmental standpoint. With pavers, the rainwater can naturally soak through the pavers and go into the water table under to ground naturally. With concrete, it all collects and runs off the concrete in a concentrated area, potentially creating erosion and a slew of other problems. With routine control with pre-emergence, weeds are not an issue in the cracks. If you have purchased quality blocks, then they will never crack or fade!
The major advantage to pavers over concrete, is just about everyone can do pavers, not everyone can do concrete!
The cost. You will spend about 10% more on pavers than traditional concrete, but the advantage out ways the cost. But, if you have to pay someone to do your concrete, and you do the pavers yourself, the savings is huge for pavers.
Longevity. According to the specs on the pavers, pavers will ultimately last longer, because of the drainage issue. But, with most people, they slack with the weed control after several years and the patio goes to pot. With just a little maintenance, pavers are quality forever.
Well, here is my blog length answer for the difference in pavers vs. concrete. Try pavers at least once and see how you like it! The look cannot be matched.
Happy Paving
#1 by Frank on June 23rd, 2009
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All good points about the comparative advantages. I'd add the fact that pavers can be reused, reconfigured, relocated, resold, etc. whereas concrete is there to stay, or be thrown away (it is possible to recycle it in various ways, but it involves additional energy.) Over the long haul, this quality means pavers have a lower environmental cost (in terms of energy embodiment and material waste). It also means pavers are a better investment; they can change as your needs change. And no matter what you build, sooner or later you'll want to change it somehow.
I highly recommend brick pavers, also, which are more expensive, but far more durable than concrete pavers. Since they are a natural material, they are less likely to go out of style (are more "timeless") than many of the popular "new" colors in concrete pavers. If you choose a concrete paver, I recommend a single color, or a very subtle color blend for a more timeless quality.
#2 by Reuben Freed on June 24th, 2009
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While we're thinking about the pavement, let's wonder about rain water that falls on it and what happens once it hits the impervious surface – where does it go? to your storm drain? and then? into a culvert and then to a creek or river and eventually into the ocean.. ? And what is washing down with it? Fertilizer? Oil? You get the picture… I'm sure you've seen pavers that allow rainwater to percolate through them, pervious pavers that can take the weight of a truck but allow water into the layers of gravel and soil below the hard surface, filtering out the impurities until it gets to an aquifer, there to be stored and be used again… Hard, impervious paved surfaces store up heat to radiate it back at night, and shed water into overloaded drainage systems in storm events, causing flooding erosion and and damage to property. Think twice before you pave or concrete your yard- there are other choices that will serve you well and be much kinder to your environment.
#3 by KevinPigg on June 24th, 2009
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Yes, with all the construction, we must do little things to help anytime we can. Thanks for that.
#4 by Maria on June 23rd, 2009
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Pretty cool post. I just came across your site and wanted to say
that I have really liked browsing your posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
#5 by Concrete Pavers on July 20th, 2010
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Great post. As you say, they are slightly more expensive than concrete option, but overall the better investment.
#6 by KevinPigg on July 21st, 2010
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I really like Pavers. I am working on a post to explain step by step of installing them. Thanks for responding