Are you planning on building a new driveway, patio, or pool deck, however, you’re unsure whether to use stamped concrete or pavers? That’s normal, in fact, some people don’t even know the difference since visually, concrete and pavers have a very similar appearance. Although they are also both very durable, they could be completely different in terms of decorations, costs, maintenance requirements, as well as installation.
Naturally, they both have their very own advantages and disadvantages, meaning that you should pick one that especially suits your own needs. Before we can compare them, we should first determine what they are. This way, we can identify the benefits and cons of both materials.
Pavers
These pavers are pretty much multi-colored pieces of concrete. They are also united to be a durable surface for walkways, driveways, and patios. Pavers have actually been long used during history for hundreds of years. They used to be utilized in order to create a Spanish monastery courtyard, amazing landscaping for homes, as well as European village pathways. Since it has been already used for a long time in the records of history, this also means that it has already spent some time being tested and can be proven to be very durable.
Even with all these positive advantages, pavers, still has it’s very own limitations, these pretty much lies in the design, making concrete a more popular option to some people. Concrete can have complex or ornate design patterns which pavers can’t have. They are both still very durable, which is important to many people, depending on the condition of the location you live in.
Stamped Concrete
This stamped concrete is basically poured as a solid surface, which is then enhanced or textured to a better design that imitates other materials such as brick, flagstone, slate, stone, tile, or even wood. Stamped concrete is actually fairly new but they are most well-known for its distinctive textures and variations. As mentioned, these stamped concrete offers more ornate design possibilities making it a great designing factor.
Apart from these few factors, some other things that appeal to homeowners are the following:
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Wide selection of colors and patterns.
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Sealants that provide some more durability and some extra protection against factors of weather, auto leakage, and swimming pool chemicals.
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Lastly, as previously mentioned, the customization with stamped concrete is much better and more limitless. It is also popular for being able to closely imitate segmented paving or natural stone.
Naturally, the same as other materials like natural stone, stamped concrete also comes with some relatively high initial costs. Stamped concrete may also typically require a considerable amount of time and money spent dedicated to the maintenance and repairs. Aside from that, there are some more disadvantages that you may want to keep in mind. These include the following:
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Doing it yourself can be difficult and a professional may be required.
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Concrete can also be relatively vulnerable to cracking, which is typically caused by climates with freezing and thawing or earthquakes.
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De-icing salts can deteriorate ornate designs.
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Must be resealed.
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Color can fade from the sun.