IN CALIFORNIA, INTERLOCKING PAVERS OUTPERFORM CONCRETE
If you’re considering a poured concrete driveway, Before you pull the trigger take a minute and consider your options. Sure a concrete driveway is durable and affordable. Today, you even have stamped concrete options which can offer you the ability to add texture and design.
Pavers are a durable, flexible and affordable option that can deliver curb appeal, and make a real statement. When professionally installed, pavers can last a lifetime and require little maintenance to maintain their luxurious look.
Here’s a quick breakdown of these two popular driveway surfacing options, and why at Bayside Pavers, we believe that the best surfacing option for your Bay area home are interlocking pavers.
CONCRETE: A STRONG, AFFORDABLE OPTION
Let’s look at the facts… concrete driveways have been around since the car was invented! A driveway had to be strong enough to support the weight of an automobile while moving and standing still and concrete was the perfect option. It’s still a viable option and today, new manufacturing techniques have given us more choices than ever before.
Stamped, stained, or plain concrete can look good in the driveway, is functional and affordable to install. But however you look at it, it’s still concrete. Stamped or stained concrete is attractive, but it costs more and it still has the problems that are inherent in the material. Even after properly curing (which can have you parking the car on the street for a couple of weeks!) concrete is prone to cracking and staining. As it ages, it will most likely require repair which can be costly and will never look as good as the original surface.
Concrete is also slippery and potentially dangerous when wet, even stamped concrete. You need to be aware of the conditions in your driveway, particularly when washing the car, in the rain, and even when watering the lawn.
THE CASE FOR INTERLOCKING PAVERS
While concrete has been around as long as the automobile, pavers were popular in ancient Rome. They’ve been used throughout Europe for centuries and were used in colonial American cities. They’ve withstood the test of time!
View our Gallery Of Interlocking Paver Projects For Bay Area Homeowners
Today, paver manufacturers are offering high-quality products using more large cement and stone pieces and less water which makes them the longest lasting, durable materials around. Today’s interlocking pavers offer more load bearing strength than concrete (4000 PSI vs 8000 PSI for pavers) and when professionally installed can last a lifetime with lower maintenance costs and fewer repairs.
If a paver ever does become cracked or discolored, repairs are inexpensive and easy. Simply pop the broken paver, repair the footing and replace the piece. Even small areas are easy to remove and replace, and they’ll have the same color as the original piece. The occasional harsh weather of California’s Bay area is no match for pavers! Because they are pass most water through, pavers are more environmentally friendly than concrete, they’re also safer since water doesn’t have a chance to pool.
While the upfront cost of pavers can cost more than poured concrete, the long-term value is well worth the cost. Unlike concrete, pavers offer more durability, higher load bearing strength, easy repair, no curing time (concrete can take 28 days to fully cure) and a wide selection of colors, sizes, styles, and textures.
Concrete’s biggest advantage is the lower up-front cost. Those savings disappear when poured concrete is stamped or stained. Then the cost can be as much as pavers, sometimes even more. But the fact is, nothing is stronger, lasts longer and adds a touch of elegance and refinement to your home, like a driveway made using interlocking pavers.
If you’re thinking of resurfacing your driveway, ramp up your curb appeal and the value of your home with interlocking pavers. Want to know more? If you live in the California Bay area, give the experts at Bayside Pavers a call. We’re always glad to help and can show you the benefits of interlocking pavers for your driveway and we will gladly provide a free estimate.
If you’re in California’s East Bay, stop by our location at 2455 Bates Ave, Ste K Concord, CA or if you are a Sonoma County homeowner our Santa Rosa location is located at 1619 4th Street Ste 12.