Pavers are a popular choice for patios, driveways, and walkways due to their durability and design versatility. However, like any material, they come with both advantages and disadvantages. In this article, the team at Exterior Solution will break down the pros and cons of pavers, along with key considerations, so you can gain a solid understanding of whether pavers are the right solution for your project. Keep reading!
Understanding Pavers and Their Materials
Before weighing the pros and cons, it helps to know what pavers are made of. There are several types of pavers available, each with its own characteristics:
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are man-made paving blocks formed from cement, sand, and gravel. They are cast in molds, creating uniform shapes (squares, rectangles, interlocking designs, etc.) that fit together neatly. Concrete pavers can be produced in many colors and textures – some even mimic the look of natural stone or brick.
Brick Pavers
Brick pavers are classic paving units made from clay that’s molded and kiln-fired into rectangular bricks. These are the same type of bricks used in historic roads and walkways, prized for their timeless charm and warm, earthy colors (typically reds, browns, and terra cotta tones). Brick pavers often come in a standard rectangle shape and size, which can be laid in patterns like herringbone or basketweave.
Natural Stone Pavers
Natural stone pavers are cut from real stone, such as flagstone, slate, granite, travertine, or bluestone. They offer a premium, elegant appearance that is hard to replicate, as every stone has unique color variations and textures formed by nature. When you want your patio or walkway to have a one-of-a-kind look with organic beauty, natural stone is the top choice.
The Pros and Key Benefits of Pavers
Pavers offer numerous advantages over poured concrete or asphalt when it comes to outdoor surfaces. Here are some of the biggest pros and key benefits:
1. Durability & Strenght
Pavers are known for their exceptional durability. Because they’re small, individual units that interlock, paver installations can flex slightly under pressure instead of cracking. In fact, many concrete pavers are three to four times stronger than a standard concrete foundation slab.
2. Easy to Repair
One of the biggest practical advantages of pavers is how easy it is to repair or adjust them. If an underground pipe needs fixing beneath your patio, or a tree root causes a section to heave, a contractor (or skilled DIYer) can lift and reset the affected pavers without disturbing the rest.
3. Aesthetic Appeal & Design Flexibility
When it comes to looks, pavers are a winner. They offer tremendous design flexibility to create an outdoor space that complements your style and home architecture. Pavers come in a wide array of colors, shapes, and sizes, from earthy reds and browns of brick, to modern geometric concrete pavers in grays and charcoals, to the natural tones of stone like bluestone or travertine. You can mix and match paver colors and textures to create eye-catching patterns.
4. Material & Style Variety
Pavers aren’t a one-size-fits-all product – and that’s a good thing! You have a broad variety of materials and styles to choose from to suit your project and budget. As discussed, the main material categories are concrete, clay brick, and natural stone, each with its own look and price point. Within those, you’ll find different styles: for example, concrete pavers can imitate cobblestones, flagstone, or even wood planks.
5. Climate Adaptability
If you live in an area with harsh winters or dramatic temperature swings, pavers are often the most climate-resilient choice for outdoor flooring. Why? It comes down to their small size and flexible sand joints. In cold climates, ground freezing and thawing can cause big slabs of concrete to crack. Pavers, on the other hand, have lots of seams that can absorb the movement.
Cons and Common Drawbacks to Consider
Pavers have many great qualities, but it’s important to consider the potential downsides as well. Here are some common drawbacks of paver surfaces:
1. Higher Upfront Costs
The most notable con of pavers is the higher initial cost compared to some other options. Simply put, a paver patio or driveway will usually cost more to install than a basic concrete slab or asphalt surface of the same size. There are a few reasons for this: the materials themselves (especially brick or stone pavers) can be pricey, and installation is labor-intensive.
2. Professional Installation is Required
Installing pavers is not a quick or simple DIY job for most homeowners. Proper paver installation requires knowledge, experience, and the right equipment to ensure the surface will be level and long-lasting. The process involves multiple steps: digging out the area and hauling away soil, laying and compacting a deep gravel base, adding a layer of bedding sand, placing each paver in the desired pattern, cutting pavers to fit edges, securing the perimeter with edging, and finally filling all the joints with sand.
3. Prone to Weed Growth
If you’ve ever seen weeds poking up between bricks on a walkway, you know this downside. Weeds, moss, or grass can grow in the joints between pavers over time if those joints aren’t properly filled and maintained. Traditional paver joints are filled with sand (swept in after installation). While the sand locks the pavers in place, wind and rain can cause it to erode or settle, creating tiny gaps where weed seeds can take hold.
4. Special Maintenance Requirements
While paver surfaces are relatively low-maintenance day-to-day, they do have some special upkeep tasks to keep them in top shape. One consideration is sealing: whereas a plain concrete slab is often left unsealed, paver patios and driveways can benefit from sealing after installation and periodically thereafter. A quality paver sealer will enhance the color, protect against stains (from grill grease, leaves, etc.), and help lock in the joint sand.
Pave the Way to Your Dream Outdoor Space!
Ready to take the next step toward a beautiful new patio, driveway, or walkway? Exterior Solution is here to help you every step of the way! We can answer any questions you have about the pros and cons of pavers as they relate to your home, and offer a free consultation and estimate. Contact us today and let us pave the way toward an outdoor area you’ll love for years!