Because of the pandemic, many homeowners are now into home improvement projects. You might be thinking about setting up a beautiful patio or driveway in your Sarasota home. However, you might be torn between choosing pavers or concrete. You might be wondering, “Are pavers more expensive than concrete?”

Using concrete slabs for your patio or driveway initially costs less compared to paver materials. However, pavers provide better aesthetics, are more durable, and offer more flexibility. Pavers need minimal maintenance and cost less to repair.

This article shares the pros and cons of using pavers versus concrete for your patio, pool deck, or driveway. It also shares why investing in a paver patio, pool deck or driveway pays off in the long run.

Concrete initially costs less to install compared to pavers. 

Looking purely at the installation and upfront costs, concrete slabs cost less compared to pavers.  For a simple quality concrete slab installation with no texturing/stamping, the estimated minimum cost is roughly $6 per square foot. This equates to $6,000 for a 1,000 square foot patio, walkway, or driveway. On the other hand, if you opt for a paver patio, the cost is around $6.50 per square foot. However, you get what you pay. While a concrete slab is initially more affordable, the long-term costs for repairs and replacements will definitely outweigh the initial savings. Click here to learn more about how much paver patios cost. 

Concrete is more prone to splitting and cracking.

Changes in the temperature and shifting beneath ground surfaces can affect your concrete driveway or patio. These can make concrete more prone to splitting and cracking. 

Pavers are four times more durable than concrete. When you consider this aspect, it makes the added cost worth choosing pavers over concrete. Also, another benefit of pavers over concrete is that most of the manufacturers back up their paving stone products with a Lifetime Guarantee against breaking and cracking. With this, you can rest assured that if a paver should ever fail, you will be covered.

If you want to have just a plain patio or driveway that will cost you the least amount of money, then having a concrete patio is the way to go. However, if you want to have something that will last for decades, then you might want to invest in a paver driveway, patio, or pool deck. It will also help to increase the value of your home when you decide to sell it in the future.

Pavers provide better aesthetics compared to concrete.

Another reason why pavers cost more than concrete is they make your home look more appealing, unique, and elegant. There are many different designs, materials, and textures to choose from that will complement your home and make it stand out even more. Here are 3 of the most beautiful paver materials in the market: 

Brick Pavers – are made from molded clay that is baked in a kiln and set into a mortar or sand base on the driveway. Brick pavers have been used in walls, patios, and driveways for centuries.

Flagstone Pavers – is a sedimentary rock that is most often used for patios. It is non-slip, durable, and comes in different colors, sizes, and shapes.

Cobblestone Pavers – are commonly made of granite. However, they may also be made out of basalt, limestone, or sandstone. The great thing about cobblestone pavers is that they need little maintenance, just a good wash once or twice a year. They are also durable and long-lasting. They can last for decades when installed properly. They also come in different styles and colors.

Pavers offer more flexibility compared to concrete.

Pavers can be placed in different patterns using different shaped materials to create a unique driveway or patio. With concrete, the possibilities are limited – one boring, flat area. Some homeowners place sand or gravel in between pavers for a more sophisticated effect. Other mix and match different kinds of paver materials in interesting patterns to create a stunning paver patio masterpiece and conversation starter. Gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers adore the look and feel of a paver walkway on a bed of green grass. Finally, homeowners who want a modern look on their paver patio, uses accent colors, making it stand out from the rest. 

Paver pool decks, patios, and driveways are easier to repair compared to concrete ones.

Pavers tend to be more flexible when it comes to durability, especially when a crack or problem does occur. You only need to replace individual pavers, as opposed to having to replace the entire concrete slab when a crack occurs.

You will need to replace a concrete slab if it becomes severely damaged. The entire slab must be removed, and you will need to have new concrete poured. This not only costs money but time and effort as well, especially if you will do the repair yourself.

This can be costly if more than one area needs replacing. You can fix minor problems by patching cracks or having a professional resurface the concrete. However, patching often results in mismatched coloring.

Because pavers consist of individual interlocking stones, each unit can be replaced as needed. When one paver becomes damaged the interlocking system allows you to easily remove only that piece and replace it with a new one. This is a much less expensive option than replacing an entire slab of concrete.

Another advantage of using pavers is that it is not only easier to repair, but it also allows you to make repairs and put everything back as if nothing happened. if you should ever need to get access to underground utilities or fix a leaking drain-line, you can do so relatively easily. The stones can be removed, the problem area can then be addressed, and then the pavers can be replaced without any mark of repair or that there was a problem.

The problem with a concrete slab is that repairing it can be costly.  A more affordable solution would be to have it saw cut, have the cracked portion removed, address the problem area, and then re-pour new concrete. However, this will never look the same as the existing slab. Now you will be left with a patch. 

Paver driveways, patios, and pool decks are safer than concrete ones.

Pavers are less slippery when wet and have more friction compared to concrete. Rubber pavers, for instance, are not only more shock-absorbent than stone pavers. They are also slip-resistant which makes them ideal for areas that often get wet. Flagstone pavers also have a non-slip finish, aside from being durable and visually appealing. 

Paver patios, driveways, and pool decks may increase your home’s curb appeal and resale value.

First impressions are important. The same is true when you are planning to sell your home in the future. For real estate properties, this first impression depends so much on your home’s curb appeal. Homes with paver patios or driveways have higher resale value because of their beauty and versatility. Concrete slabs are generally more common so it doesn’t do much to increase your home value. Investing in a paver patio, driveway, or pool deck for your home will net you more value in the future because concrete is more expensive to replace.   

Yes, having a paver driveway, patio, or pool deck is more expensive than concrete ones. However, the benefits definitely outweigh the cost of choosing pavers over concrete. 

For the best paver service in Sarasota FL, call us, Nelson Pavers Company, at (941) 900-8295.