You probably know that both concrete and pavers can be used for certain types of flooring; common applications include patios, pathways, driveways, and pool surroundings. Both materials are durable and last for a significant amount of time, but they do have their differences, which we’ll be examining here.
What Changes?
A central question to ask when contemplating which material to use is what changes from one to the other. The answer is that quite a bit changes, but quite a bit doesn’t change, either. Let’s get right into it.
Concrete and pavers are similar in that they’re hard, durable construction materials designed to last; they can handle vehicle movement if they need to, for instance in a driveway.
Concrete is typically more affordable but cracks more, whereas pavers are more expensive and are designed not to crack. A common argument in this line of thought is that pavers are better for their design options, which triumph over plain concrete. This is where stamped concrete comes in, as it makes up for most of the lack of design options on plain concrete.
Which Do I Use?
There’s a variety of factors that determine which of the two is best for your project. Cost, in particular, is a large one. Exactly what kind of project you’re doing factors into its total cost, as the eventual cost of a driveway varies depending on size, gradient, and how much excavation is needed, as well as which material is being used to make it. A similar set of constraints apply to installing a patio or walkway.
In general, concrete will be more budget-friendly than pavers. Concrete costs about $6 to $12 to a square foot, installed. Pavers have a much bigger cost variation, anywhere from $8 to $25 per square foot, counting installation costs. Especially high-end pavers may have you paying $50 per square foot, which is far from budget-friendly.
If you’re more concerned with aesthetics than money, pavers are probably going to be your thing, as they have more design options than concrete and, when installed properly, tend to look better. Stamped and/or dyed concrete is a good alternative if you don’t have the money or the means to use higher-end pavers.
If you think you’ve figured something out, give us at Monster Home Services a call and we’ll be happy to help.
