A new concrete patio is a great way to change the look and feel of your backyard area. If you're torn between choosing concrete pavers or stamped concrete for your next new patio, you'll want to check out the following comparison between the two. Both have their own unique benefits as well as a few important drawbacks.
Stamped Concrete Pros and Cons
Whereas concrete pavers use individual concrete pieces, a typical stamped concrete patio consists of a single slab that has a series of patterns embossed into the concrete before it hardens. Your contractor may also add color to the concrete during the mixing process or as a spray-on application after it's been stamped. There are plenty of benefits to choosing stamped concrete over concrete pavers:
- Greater variety of designs - The possibilities are nearly endless for your stamped concrete patio. There are countless designs to choose from and there are plenty of color options to consider.
- Easier to clean - When properly sealed, stamped concrete surfaces are usually easier to clean than concrete pavers.
- Relatively low cost - Homeowners are often attracted to stamped concrete patios thanks to their relatively low cost. According to HouseLogic, a professionally installed stamped concrete patio costs $10 to $15 per square foot.
Despite the above advantages, there are a few caveats to keep in mind when choosing stamped concrete for your next patio design:
- Not as durable as concrete pavers - Stamped concrete patios are more susceptible to having cracks and breakages form, usually due to settlement of the slab itself. Concrete pavers, in comparison, can flex and accommodate ground changes.
- Costly to repair - Cracks and other major damage often call for an expensive and time-consuming replacement of the entire slab.
Concrete Pavers Pros and Cons
Concrete pavers are the way to go if you're looking for a faster and easier way of renovating your outdoor patio. Compared to the amount of work it takes to create a stamped concrete patio, pavers require less effort to install, even if you have interlocking pavers that must be installed one-at-a-time. There are plenty of other benefits to having concrete pavers installed instead of using stamped concrete:
- Relatively low maintenance - Most pavers only need to be swept and hosed down regularly and occasional sanding can be done every few years to retain the pavers' polished surface, if necessary.
- Easier to repair - If one concrete paver is damaged, it can be replaced without disturbing other pavers.
- Can be used to reduce water runoff - You can use permeable pavers that allow water to drain through the pavers, reducing the amount of water runoff that's washed into nearby creeks and sewer systems.
As with stamped concrete, concrete pavers also have their fair share of downsides:
- More expensive to install - The materials and labor needed for concrete pavers are usually more expensive than stamped concrete. HouseLogic notes that concrete pavers can cost up to $20 per square foot for a professional installation.
- Weed control may be needed - Another downside of concrete pavers is that weeds may grow in between the pavers. Fortunately, most forms of weed growth can be controlled with the use of polymeric sand.
Which Option Should You Choose?
There's no right or wrong choice when it comes to choosing between stamped concrete and concrete pavers for your patio. It all comes down to your own personal preferences, as well as your home improvement budget. Stamped concrete is the way to go if you want a beautiful yet affordable patio, while concrete pavers offer a more expensive yet longer-lasting way to add beauty to your backyard. To learn more, contact a concrete service like Claggett & Sons Inc.
