Be it for the curb appeal of a new driveway or the leisurely atmosphere conjured from a cozy, handsome patio, and few homeowners can allow themselves to leave opportunities like these begging in the wind. In other words, when the chance arrives to decorate a private landscape with awesome amenities, we almost always take it.
Cases in Point: Driveways And Patios
Ready to have one installed? Maybe even both? Exciting, we know. Your home’s value is going to increase. Its aesthetic appeal will skyrocket. And at the end of the day, you’ll have a nice place to park your car before going out back to relax under the stars. Or if you’re planning to rent your property, it will become more appealing for tenants, says Taylor St Management. Congratulations are in order almost. But have you decided what material to use yet? If not, perhaps we can help. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of poured concrete vs. pavers.
Concrete
No matter your choice between a driveway or a patio poured concrete offers crisp, clean adornment that’s more than capable against the trials of time. For around $800 to $1000 per 120 square feet, you’re going to get sturdy, easy to install, easy to clean concrete that won’t skimp on good looks. You can even add color to it, though it will fade and need re-application every three years or so. Curing takes anywhere between three to five days (during which time you may wish to have it stamped for extra decoration)—after that, go right ahead and put it to work. Speaking of work, we would be remiss not to mention that some excavation will be required: The land must be properly graded and fit with a reliable foundation.
As for upkeep, it’s pretty simple. In most cases, some soapy water and a brush will do just fine. Cracks and stains do occur more often than with pavers; however, which means every few years, the concrete slab will need to be replaced. This decaying process can be inhibited with sealant though again, the sealant will also break down, so don’t forget to re-apply. And what if the slab cracks? Can it be patched? Indeed, owners are seldom pleased with the results, which circles us back to slab replacement. Having said as much, for a little extra work, you count on many years of well-presented service from concrete.
Pavers
For pavers, well presented is only the beginning of how amazing they can look. They come in a wide array of colors that make things easy for integration with their environment. This also goes for shapes and sizes, both of which afford you plenty of options. Prices range from $1300 to $1800 per 120 square feet. For that, you get low maintenance, zero cracking, and easy repairs. Pavers do require a bit more time for installation, as each piece must be placed by hand over carefully excavated landscape. After that, a special adhesive is employed to bind the pavers together.
Pavers are a little more difficult to clean, but not much—the spaces in between are what generally slow things down. Once again, some soapy water and a brush will usually do the job just fine. Polymer sand can be used to make the pavers even stronger and prohibit pesky weeds from forced entry. Even excellent care often isn’t quite excellent, and over time, pavers like teeth can rattle loose, necessitating replacement. Thankfully this is a quick, easy job, especially since you won’t need to muck about with the other pavers around it. It should also be noted that unlike concrete, pavers tend to escalate the resale value of any property they decorate.
Breaking It All Down
Concrete is best for homeowners who:
- Want to spend less
- Crave easier installation
- Need long-lasting durability
- Prefer easy maintenance
Pavers are best for homeowners who:
- Love lots of choices with color and design
- Prefer quick, easy repair
- Want a higher resale value than concrete
- Don’t mind spending a little extra for style.
Both choices look attractive and are strong enough to meet the standards of just about any homeowner. Or in other words, neither is necessarily wrong. At the end of the day, the two main factors are how much money you’re willing to spend and how exactly you’d like your new driveway or patio to look. If the budget wins out, it’s probably best to go with concrete. However, for those of you who love the idea of a fancy looking feature that really turns heads and gets people talking, pavers are the way to go.