MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT USING CONCRETE PAVERS IN CALIFORNIA

Here at Bayside Pavers we always try to work with our Bay Area customers to help them to understand all of their options when it comes to creating the perfect outdoor living space to fit their family’s needs and lifestyle. When considering a new patio, walkway or driveway, it’s important to understand all of your options when it comes to design, features, materials, and color choices. After years of listening to our customer’s concerns, we’ve learned that there are many common misconceptions about concrete pavers that we’d like to address.

Here are seven common misconceptions about concrete pavers that you should be aware of when researching hardscaping materials for your Bay Area California home.

1 – PAVERS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE

While the initial cost of installation can be higher than other materials, in the end, concrete pavers are actually a more cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing option. Concrete pavers are more durable and beautiful option than other options like poured concrete, or in the case of a driveway, blacktop. Blacktop will deteriorate over time and poured concrete can crack, requiring costly repairs. Concrete pavers need less frequent repair, and when they do, repairs are easier. Over the long-term, concrete pavers are the true cost-effective solution. And you’ll love the way they look!

Click Here To Learn More About Patio Installation

2 – PAVERS DON’T LAST

The fact is, concrete pavers are a durable, flexible material that is up to three times stronger than a poured concrete slab. Correctly installed interlocking concrete pavers move and flex as the ground does. When professionally installed, high-quality concrete pavers can last 30 to 40 years with no significant issues.

3 – PAVERS ARE DIFFICULT TO REPAIR

This has been a concern for many of our customers over the years. The fact is, unlike hardscape which can need to be repaired in large section when it fails, or must be matched in order to patch repair, concrete pavers can be “spot repaired.” This means that the damaged paver can simply be removed and replaced. In fact, it’s so easy that most homeowners can perform the repair themselves without the need of a professional. Concrete pavers are durable, reliable and resilient. They absorb pressure, weight and force differently than other materials and as a result are less susceptible to damage in the first place.

4 – CONCRETE PAVERS FADE AS THEY AGE

In this case, the old saying “you get what you pay for” is true. While there are plenty of cheap, inferior quality bargain pavers available, that are susceptible to fading, chipping and cracking. Always invest in the highest quality paver you can afford. Make sure any paver you purchase is “colored through.” Pavers that are colored throughout will not fade. Ever.

5 – CONCRETE PAVERS PROMOTE WEED GROWTH

This seems to be a persistent belief, but it’s entirely not true. Any exterior hardscape joints have the potential for weed growth, but you shouldn’t expect to see any more weeds in a paver installation than you would with any other material. Often, weeds thriving on a hardscape are a result of seeds falling on top of the material and germinating where they land. The truth is, if your pavers are properly installed by a professional installer using polymeric sand you should see less weed growth than with other materials.

Read the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute’s FAQ’s on Concrete Pavers

6 – PAVERS WILL HEAVE WITH WEATHER CHANGES

This is a common complaint from homeowners who have done the installation themselves and often cut corners. Professional installation eliminates any slipping or heaving. The secret is proper preparation before installation. A professional landscaper will excavate, grade, install and compact the sub-grade, add a geotextile layer to inhibit weed growth. They will then prepare the base layer and again compact, perform sand prep, lay the pavers, perform a final compaction and then finish with polymeric sand. When professionally installed, concrete pavers will not heave, period!

7 – CONCRETE PAVERS OFFER LIMITED CHOICES

The truth is, pavers come in hundreds of different combinations of colors, sizes, thicknesses, styles, patterns, and textures. No matter what your taste, aesthetic and home design, pavers are available in a range of colors from neutral and earth tones, to reds and terracotta. To further personalize your look you can choose from a variety of styles including brick, tile, antique, cobble, weathered stone and flagstone.

Concrete pavers are a durable, beautiful and affordable choice for any hardscaping project. If you’re planning an outdoor project and live in the Contra Costa County area, stop by Bayside Pavers located at 2455 Bates Ave, Ste K in Concord, CA. If you live in Sonoma County, visit our Santa Rosa location at 1619 4th Street Ste 12. Let us show you the benefits and versatility of high-quality concrete pavers for your next hardscape project. We offer a wide selection of concrete pavers, and we’re always happy to work with you to help you achieve your creative vision! Contact us for a free estimate!