You can expect a concrete patio or brick paving stone to last 25 to 45 years, with an average of 35 years. Proper installation is essential and starts with a well-compacted base. In areas where weather conditions are extreme, concrete patios only last a few years. Over time, tree roots, inevitable shrinkage and climate changes cause cracks to form.
This is particularly true in earthquake-prone areas, where soil shifts many times in a year. The durability of pavers will largely depend on the type, but they can usually last 50 to 100 years (even longer). Unlike concrete slabs or asphalt, pavers can be easily repaired without having to replace everything. Another benefit of concrete pavers is that individual pavers can be removed and replaced, if necessary.
Poured concrete slabs that crack or rise up cannot be repaired as successfully; any repair effort will be permanently visible. Properly maintained concrete cobblestone roads generally last longer than poured concrete, which generally lasts between 20 and 30 years, compared to the possible 50 years of concrete pavers. Concrete pavers are designed to last a lifetime. Even if a single cobblestone (or group of stones) breaks or splinters, it can simply be replaced, meaning the overall installation could last for future generations of your family to enjoy.
The floor may move, settle, or change enough over decades for even a properly installed patio or driveway to become uneven. But if this happens, you can simply remove the pavers, level the floor and put the pavers back in place. The lifespan of a paver depends primarily on the material from which it is made. Four Seasons primarily installs porous concrete pavers.
Not only do they have maximum durability, but they can also be made to look like other stones, maintaining style and maximizing functionality. If maintained well, our Techo-Bloc concrete pavers can last between 30 and 50 years. Concrete pavers are the most popular option for changing the appearance of a variety of outdoor spaces. Although less resistant than brick to withstand heavy weight loads, concrete ultimately lasts longer, giving it between 25 and 50 years of fairly intense use before these pavers begin to erode.
Concrete pavers are also stronger and more durable than concrete slabs that can easily crack or chip with normal use. The answer is that they're designed to last forever. The pavers themselves are made of stone, obviously, and are therefore permanent and cannot be broken. Of course, they can crack or chip if extreme force is applied to them, but with normal or even heavy use, they will hold up and resist breakage.
The smooth surface of concrete pavers can degrade over time, especially if subjected to anti-icing salt. Classic concrete pavers, traditional brick and timeless pavers are the three best options when considering durability. Poured concrete slabs, on the other hand, are generally smooth concrete, although there are a few staining or stamping options you might consider. Unlike concrete, pavers represent only a small part of the total surface area, so they are able to withstand changes in the terrain better than concrete.
With concrete pavers, you don't have to worry about treating the entire driveway every time there's a slight crack or stain. This is one of the reasons why concrete manufacturers and installers cannot provide lifetime guarantees for their products. Finally, because they are small and easy to handle and do not require heavy equipment for installation, concrete pavers are an excellent material for a DIY entrance. Concrete pavers can be an excellent material for your outdoor paving projects if you want something more elegant and attractive than poured concrete, but you're not thrilled with the high cost of natural stone pavers or clay brick pavers.
Although real stone pavers are considered to be the premium paving material, concrete pavers rank second and are comparable to clay brick pavers in terms of prestige. The fact that concrete is poured into slabs with a larger surface area also makes concrete patios vulnerable to cracks. All you have to do to be convinced of this fact is to look at some old houses with cobblestone walkways and compare them to old houses with concrete walkways. With concrete, you need to remove the entire slab and pour the concrete back into the area of the cracks to repair the damage.
Cast concrete, whether smooth or stamped, requires an extended curing period and, during this time, the strength of concrete can be affected by many factors. . .
