Concrete and pavers are popular materials used in outdoor hardscaping and landscaping. Still, they differ in composition, installation, appearance, maintenance, and more. Here are the 3 major differences between them:
Materials
Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, and aggregates, such as sand and gravel. You can pour it into moulds to create a solid surface. Pavers, on the other hand, can be made from concrete, clay, brick, or natural stone that are pre-cast into specific shapes and sizes.
Installation
To install concrete, the mixture is poured as a continuous surface, which requires forms and a curing process. For pavers, the installation involves meticulous planning, excavation, grading, and placing each paver in patterns on a base of sand or gravel, with the joints filled with sand or other materials.
Aesthetic Appeal
Concrete offers a more uniform and modern look. To achieve different and unique designs, you can stamp and colour the surface. Pavers can provide a wider design possibilities due to the available materials, colours, and patterns. They often have a more textured and natural appearance that can appeal to those who want a more organic look in their outdoor spaces.
Advantages of Concrete
Concrete is better than pavers in terms of initial cost, installation process, and easier maintenance.
Initial Cost-Effectiveness
Concrete is an affordable choice because its raw materials—cement, aggregates, and water—are readily accessible compared to pavers that require pre-casting. Installing concrete is also faster and less labour-intensive than the complex process of installing individual pavers, making the labour cost of concrete installation more budget-friendly.
Easier Installation
Concrete is easier to install and can be completed faster than pavers which requires a more lengthy and complicated preparation process. The only disadvantage of concrete is the curing period, while pavers are ready immediately after installation. if you’re doing a concreting project, here are some helpful tips when it comes to curing.
Lower Maintenance
Concrete also outshines pavers for easier maintenance, thanks to its single, wide slab that simplifies cleaning with regular sweeping and occasional pressure-washing. Concrete is vulnerable to stains, but regular application of protective sealants can prevent this problem. The most common cleaning difficulties you might face are the weeds growing out of concrete cracks or the concrete joints. This, however, is more common in pavers. You will also need to re-level the bases and refill the joints to maintain the pavers.
Advantages of Pavers
Regarding designs, higher resale value, durability, and repairs, pavers are ahead of concrete.
Versatile Design Options
Pavers come in diverse materials, colours, textures, and patterns that provide extensive design flexibility, allowing you to create personalised layouts that enhance outdoor aesthetics. Their seamless integration into landscaping designs enables smooth transitions between hardscape and softscape areas, creating detailed patterns or pleasant natural elements.
Resale Price
Although pavers cost more than concrete upfront, they can be more cost-effective in the long run and even make you more money when you sell your home. Pavers are more costly for several reasons, including their durability and flexibility, which are both desirable qualities for potential buyers. Additionally, well-designed pavers can increase the value of your home, making it more appealing and helping you sell it for a higher price.
Durability and Flexibility
Concrete is a durable material that can crack over time due to settling, or heavy loads. Pavers, on the other hand, are more flexible and resistant to cracking. They adapt to ground movements without causing significant damage. It’s useful in areas sensitive to soil shifts or settling. The joints between pavers enhance traction, ensuring safer walkways, driveways, and patios, which is important in regions prone to continuous rainfall like Melbourne.
Easier and Cheaper Repairs and Replacements
Repairing pavers is straightforward. You can replace and reuse them if the design needs to be changed or fixed. By lifting and resetting individual units, the repair can be done without affecting the entire surface — a contrast to the more extensive work often required for concrete repairs. Concrete repairs can be more challenging because its cracks may require professional attention and cost more. In the end, you will save more time, effort, and money in fixing pavers than concrete.
What’s best for you?
Now that we have discussed the difference between concrete and pavers, as well as their pros and cons, which one is ideal for you? When making your decision, consider what matters to you the most.
Low Budget
If saving money is your top priority and you don’t plan on selling your home anytime soon, concrete is the way to go. When properly installed and maintained, concrete can last for many years. While it may offer fewer design options than pavers, you can still achieve stunning aesthetics through stamping and colouring. To get the best results for your concrete installation, consult with an expert concreter for the job.
Increase Market Value
If you’re thinking about resale value, pavers are the better choice. Their durability and versatility can increase your home’s quality, especially in Melbourne’s four-season climate. The variety of designs that can be achieved with pavers adds an extra touch of appeal, making your home more attractive to potential buyers and helping you maximise the sale price if you decide to sell your home in the future.
Longer Lifespan
Given Australia’s four seasons, erosion concerns, and soil shifting, prioritising durability and flexibility over initial cost-effectiveness is wise. If you live near the coast, in an area with shifting soil, or expect heavy loads and foot traffic, opting for pavers could be a better choice. It may save you more in the long run than dealing with potential repairs for concrete.
Preferred Design
If you’re more concerned with the design, either would work for you. If you’re going for unique and intricate layouts, pavers are ideal as they offer unparalleled design versatility and customization. If you want a sleek and modern appearance that is suitable for contemporary architectural styles, concrete is a better option.
When you find out which matters to you the most, it will be easier to decide which one is better for you. If you still find it hard to decide, you don’t have to limit your choice to only one of them. You can use both of them and with careful planning, you will be able to balance your goals.