Concrete Paver Contractor

When Comparing the pros and cons of Asphalt vs. Poured Concrete vs. Pavers. Pavers superiority becomes easily spotted.

Poured Concrete

There are few design options for concrete if you want to keep the cost down. Usually, your only option is the standard gray color; though, it is possible to get concrete stamped, colored, or stained.  Stamped concrete is pretty slippery and will need to cure for a few days before being used. Colored concrete looks nice, but it still has a high possibility of cracking. Concrete has relatively low maintenance, and it is easy to sweep and remove debris from it. The downside is that it will need resealing every once in a while. Concrete is cheap and durable, but standard gray concrete doesn’t look very nice and isn’t likely to increase the value of your home.

As a general rule, concrete slab construction is generally less expensive per square foot than the alternative. You can expect to pay 15 – 25% more for paving stones. Poured concrete is an affordable option in the short term if you’re okay with a plain slab. If you decide to upgrade to stamped concrete, or you want to stain your concrete slab, a paving stone patio or driveway will cost you about the same, or even less in most cases.

“The initial costs of segmental pavements over concrete or asphalt may be more, but it has been shown that the life cycle cost of an interlocking concrete pavement system over a 40 year period is actually less. This is because pavers make up a maintenance free pavement.”

— INTERLOCKING CONCRETE PAVER INSTITUTE

Installing a poured concrete patio may have lower upfront costs but the long-term costs of repair and replacement will almost always negate your initial savings. While slabs are fairly easy to install, the material could take significant time to cure and dry and your space cannot be used during the curing process.

When comparing the cost of concrete pavers vs poured concrete, make sure your price quote for poured concrete installation includes excavation, grading, foundation prep, setting forms and pouring. Poured concrete slabs must be installed by competent professionals. If the prep work is not done properly the slab can crack when the ground flexes or if tree roots grow beneath the slab as it ages. Here in the Bay Area, minor earthquakes can cause significant damage to poured concrete that has been improperly installed. Improper grading can require a costly repair process. In not properly graded, you may find low spots that collect water after the first heavy rain resulting in staining or discoloration.

Concrete maintenance is relatively easy, but as it ages, a concrete slab can begin to crack requiring costly repair. Upgrading to stamped concrete can better hide cracks and stains, but your initial cost will increase significantly.

Asphalt Driveways

Asphalt is oil-based and very popular when it comes to driveways and places with lots of traffic. While it is strong and even flexible, it will not endure intense heat as well as other materials. If it gets too hot, the asphalt becomes soft. This causes problems, especially if you have to drive on it. While asphalt will last you decades, it will crack, and you will have to repair it. It will also fade with time.

But, Asphalt Has Limited Design Options
Unless you’re willing to pay a very high price, your only option is black. Asphalt is not very pretty or appealing, especially after it has cracked or faded. It will need sealing every once in a while, and in some cases, it will need to be patched and resurfaced. However, it is fairly easy to clean and remove debris. Asphalt is one of the cheaper options, but while it is both reasonable and durable, its cracks and its appearance sometimes keep people from choosing it.

Wood Decks/Patio Platforms

 According to Gallop, a patio offers a 12% ROI compared to a wood deck. Having a big beautiful patio is also a plus for homebuyers who site outdoor living space as a top ten must have.

While a patio can cost a third less than installing a wood deck, you’ll enjoy a minimum 25 to 30 years lifespan, almost twice s long as a wood deck, all with minimal maintenance. Concrete paver patios when properly installed they are impervious to weather, insects, mold, and rot that can plague wooden structures. In the past, patios were often limited to flat areas of your property, however today with retaining walls, and multilevel installation any area can host a patio regardless of obstacles like tree roots or slopes.

Structurally, decks carry limitations as to load-bearing strength. While structural modifications can increase load bearing, they are a costly addition. Because pavers are seated on a base of crushed stone they are the best solution for any type of weight bearing application like driveways, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces or hot tubs.

Finally, because they are built at ground level, patios offer you the opportunity to expand your outdoor living space over time, creating additional areas for outdoor living rooms, built-in fire pits or fireplaces, outdoor dining or private garden grottos. Visually, you can create the illusion of individual spaces through the use of freestanding walls, improve privacy using trees or other plantings, fences, or privacy panels and can connect areas with beautiful stone walkways to create a complete outdoor environment that will compliment any home.

Pavers

Another popular material as we look at the best driveway material options is pavers. Pavers come from several different materials, including concrete, brick, and stone. Concrete pavers interlock, with sand between any open spaces. They’re very strong and can hold up to four times the weight that a standard concrete driveway can withstand.

Pavers are Durable and Will Last For Decades
There are many different options for design because they come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Each is laid to create many different patterns. They have almost no maintenance, but you may choose to seal them every once in a while. Debris is swept away easily.

Concrete is one of the most popular materials for outdoor areas. It also has a low cost. Concrete is very strong and endures both force and weight without being damaged. However, force below the surface of the concrete often results in cracks. Despite its cracks, however, concrete can last for decades.

Another type of paver is a brick paver. Brick pavers are similar to concrete pavers. The main difference is that it arises from clay and they look like bricks. They are very strong and durable, only a little less strong than concrete pavers. While brick pavers only come in one size and are a bit more limited in options than concrete pavers, they still come in many different colors and are laid in different patterns. They have the same low maintenance as concrete pavers. They are a bit more expensive, but they are sure to increase the value of your home.

Pavers Can Be Used Right After Installation – No Curing!
The last type of paver is a stone paver. Flagstone, granite, and cobblestone are only a few of the materials made from stone pavers. They are strong and durable and will last for an extremely long time. As with the other types of pavers, stone pavers come in many shapes, colors, and sizes, leaving you with many options. They are very beautiful but are more expensive than concrete or brick pavers. However, they will add a lot of value to your home.

Each kind of paver has a more elegant and natural look than stamped concrete, standard concrete, or asphalt. The only downside to pavers is that they tend to become uneven over time. However, this problem has an easy fix. . While pavers are laid by hand and are sometimes more expensive than other materials, their beauty, value, and durability make up for it. They are a great material for outdoor areas, and we will be happy to show you all of the many options.