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If you are planning to install a patio in Sarasota FL, then you are probably considering using pavers. Pavers are not only visually appealing; they also complement various architectural styles. But have you ever thought about how long paver patios last?

In this article, you will discover the lifespan of pavers and the different factors that contribute to their longevity.

Paver is a high-end option for patios. To understand how long a paver patio lasts, you need to look at the durability and integrity of its installation. When properly installed, your paver patio can last for decades without the need for any major repair.

Keep reading to learn more about paver patios and their lifespan.

Why use pavers for your patio?

Since paving stones are a high-end option in constructing patios, you want to make sure that you get your money’s worth. Most paver patios have an extremely long lifespan—so long that you can measure it in decades rather than years. However, it still depends on how they are installed and where they are installed in the landscape.  

If you are concerned about the longevity of pavers, don’t be. Pavers have a longer lifespan than most materials so it pays to invest in a paver patio as a home improvement project. 

Aside from that, pavers are also more attractive than other materials and have other interesting features, such as skid and slip resistance and potential for increasing property value.

Best Patio Pavers in Sarasota FL

How long do pavers last?

To understand how long paving materials last, you need to consider how well they are installed. Take concrete for instance. 

Concrete is durable but it cracks over time. Certain factors may also cause it to become uneven. When such cracks occur, they lose their visual appeal. They also fail to function as they did at installation.

When you repair or replace slabs, your concrete patio may regain its function but not its original look. This is one of the reasons why it is difficult to find concrete manufacturers and installers that offer lifetime guarantees for concrete materials.

It’s a different story for paving stone installation. This material gets stronger with settling and allows the replacement of individual pavers if needed, without affecting the function or appearance of the patio. The longevity of the overall installation of this paving material is typically higher than that of other materials.

The best thing about pavers is that they are designed to last a lifetime. They may develop cracks at some point, but that’s not a problem because they can easily be replaced. 

Over time, the ground may also shift, settle or change enough to make your patio look uneven, but all you need to do is have the pavers removed, ground-leveled, and put back in place.

Another huge advantage of using pavers is that manufacturers of paving materials usually offer a lifetime guarantee for their products. That means if you encounter issues with cracked pavers, you can easily replace them and enjoy your paver patio for the next decades.

Why are pavers better for patios than concrete?

Compared with slab concrete and stamped concrete, pavers are better. Paver patios are not only stronger and more durable, but they are also better at enduring shifting ground and weather-related expansions.

When you pour concrete onto your patio, you need to extend the curing period. During this period, several factors may affect the strength of the material. The fact that concrete is poured in slabs with bigger surface areas also makes concrete patios vulnerable to cracks.

In areas where weather conditions are extreme, concrete patios only last for a few years. Over time, tree roots, inevitable contraction, and weather changes cause them to develop cracks. This is particularly true in areas that are prone to earthquakes, where the ground shifts many times in a year.

Nelson Pavers

Unlike concrete, pavers make up just a small part of the overall surface so they are able to endure shifting ground better than concrete does. The joints between each paver also allow the paver patios to endure weather-related expansions and other forces that easily destroy poured concrete.

Another advantage of using pavers for your patio is that while slabs of concrete need to cure while they are exposed to different factors, pavers are designed to withstand extreme weather factors and pressure. They are crafted to be strong enough to last a lifetime.

Paver patios also last longer than concrete patios because they are much easier to repair. When they get damaged, you can simply remove the broken stones and put them back together onto the surface without having them lose their function or appeal. 

With concrete, you need to remove the entire slab and re-pour concrete in the area of the cracks to repair the damage. This takes much longer to do.

What factors can affect the longevity of your paver patio?

Paver patios in Sarasota FL can last for many decades. Even though individual pavers may become damaged due to various factors, they are easy to replace. 

In the rare case of shifting of ground surfaces, you can expect some of the paving stones to crack, but that won’t be much of a problem. Paver patios are easy to dismantle and be reset once you have fixed the ground beneath the installation.

Take note, however, that just like any other material, there are certain factors that may affect the lifespan of your paver patio. One of those factors is the quality of the material used in the installation. 

It is important to hire a good paving company in Sarasota FL so you can be certain that the pavers used in your patio are strong and durable.

Repeated exposure to chemicals can also weaken your pavers and increase the instance of damages. If you want to maximize the durability of your pavers, make sure that your patio is not exposed to chemicals that have negative reactions to paving stones.

Best Pavers for Patio in Sarasota FL

Take a look at the following tips that can potentially help your paver patio last a lifetime:

  •         Choosing the right location for your patio

Locating a patio is necessary for longevity. Although most places in your landscape may work well for a patio, there are certain factors you need to consider if you want your pavers to last long. 

For instance, you can’t build your patio where poor soils are present. If you want a paver patio, make sure that you choose a location in your yard that is over stable ground. 

This will help provide a stable base for the paving stones, preventing the patio from settling unevenly. It is also important to build your paver patio in an area where surface water from other parts of your yard may constantly flow across.

 

  •         Proper installation

Constructing a durable paver patio also requires using the best construction techniques. These techniques involve condensing the subgrade that will be placed under the patio, having a compacted layer of aggregate for the base layer, and choosing the right mortar to go between the interlocking pavers.

 

  •         Choosing the right stone sealers

A sealer can make or break your paver patio. It does not only help increase the lifespan of your pavers, but it also helps maintain their rich colors. While a good sealer can last for decades, you may need to reapply it once it begins to fade.

The longevity of paver patios in Sarasota FL depends on the quality of materials you use and the way you install the pavers. If you need help with your paver patio, contact us, Nelson Pavers, at 941-900-8295 today. We are a pavers company in Sarasota FL and we will make sure that your paver patio will provide you and your family with decades of enjoyment.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view How Long does a Paver Patio Last on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/r5F9T9LAs0Y

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The Best Paver Service in Bradenton, FL

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Contact Us

The Best Paver Service in Bradenton, FL

2021 Withfield Park Loop
Sarasota, FL 34243

(941) 900-8295

office@nelsonpavers.com