Paving stones are more durable than concrete and can withstand more pressure per square inch. Whether you use cement pavers or want to pave stone entrances, pavers and stones are often stronger than concrete and can support more weight on the surface before a crack appears. Concrete and pavers are similar in that they are both sturdy construction materials, strong enough to withstand the movement of vehicles at the entrance. Concrete is the more affordable of the two, but pavers offer the better resale value and are more visually appealing.
Concrete is easy to install and maintain, but pavers don't crack and offer more design options. In terms of initial cost, cast and stamped concrete tends to be the most economical option. Concrete is quite inexpensive and can cover a large plot of land quite quickly. A basic concrete installation with a smooth finish will always be cheaper than that of pavers because the installation is quick and does not require much labor.
However, stamped concrete stained to look like natural stone can match or exceed the cost of pavers. In these cases, pavers may be cheaper than concrete. With pavers, you can mix and match different colors and shapes to create eye-catching designs. For example, you can create a border with rounded cobblestones and use rectangular pavers to fill in the rest.
The cobblestones create a rustic and traditional look. Concrete, once stamped, has a unique texture, which gives you the possibility to design it however you want. It could be argued that this style is more aesthetically pleasing and has more appeal due to the infinite possibilities of customization. The advantage of pavers is that if there is a damaged block, you can simply replace it with another.
In addition, the durability of pavers is substantially higher than that of concrete. In such a way that the contractors who install it give guarantees that cover some damage. Although current techniques allow concrete to be stamped to look like cobblestone, the added cost of this process means that the final price is very similar to that of installing real pavers. Stamped concrete is the same as cast concrete, but has a stamped or textured finish that provides traction and a more pleasant aesthetic.
As a common material option for most patios and walkways, the price of installing concrete slabs comes down to factors similar to those of installing interlocking pavers. However, it has a much greater risk of cracking or bending because there is no flexibility in poured concrete. In addition, one or more pavers can be removed and replaced while maintaining the visual integrity of the installation, while concrete repairs are generally evident. The most important thing is that pavers can be laid immediately after installation, since concrete requires curing time.
Specifically, cast concrete is manufactured with a compressive strength of 2500 to 3000 PSI, while pavers are manufactured with a minimum compressive strength of 8000 PSI. Paving stones and stamped concrete are often very similarly priced, so it's worth getting estimates of both options to help you determine which one is right for your project. In terms of cost, concrete slabs are generally less expensive upfront, but may incur more costs over time, as they must be repaired or replaced. The image above shows exposed aggregate concrete; in the center of the driveway is a typical concrete slab.
Stamped concrete can be designed to obtain a smoother and more uniform pattern, which is good for accessibility for the disabled. You can choose to treat problem areas yourself; however, treated areas will often end up looking like a patch or band-aid, since it's very difficult to match the color of an existing concrete slab. However, specific designs have some clear benefits when weighing options between stamped concrete versus. Whether you want to update your garden or completely redesign the look of your driveway, concrete and pavers are wonderful options.
Although pavers allow natural drainage of snow and rain, you'll need to consider this in your design with concrete pavers. The surface of the concrete slab may remain level for a while, but a crack is inevitable once the ground becomes unstable. . .
