Pavers vs Concrete: Comparing the Costs and Benefits

Concrete Repair Costs

Concrete is less flexible, making repairs more complex and often more expensive. Cracks and holes can sometimes be patched, but significant damage may require replacing the entire slab, which is costly and disruptive.

Cost: Repairs range from $8 to $500+ per repair, depending on the extent of the damage and whether the concrete was installed properly.

Considerations:

• Minor cracks can often be patched, but this is a temporary solution.
• Major damage or poor installation often leads to costly replacements.

Maintenance Costs Comparison: Pavers vs. Concrete

Pavers winning for performance

While both pavers and concrete have comparable maintenance costs, pavers outperform concrete in durability and ease of repair. They’re easier to clean, repairs are less noticeable, and proper care ensures they maintain their look and function for decades longer than concrete.

Concrete may seem easier initially, but over time, cracks, stains, and costly replacements make it less appealing compared to the long-term benefits of pavers.

Paver Maintenance

Pavers are low-maintenance, but the joints between stones may require occasional attention. Professional cleaning and sealing services can help preserve and protect pavers:

• Cost: $1.25 to $1.85 per square foot for professional cleaning and sealing.
• Weeds: While the installation process minimizes weed growth, occasional treatment with weed killer or manual removal may be needed.
• Repairs: If stones shift or settle over time, they can easily be lifted, the base re-compacted, and reset in place. Cracked or damaged stones can be replaced individually, maintaining the visual integrity of the design.
• Longevity: With proper care, pavers can last up to 100 years.

Winner: Both

It’s a tie! Pavers and concrete both have comparable maintenance costs however, pavers are known to look and perform better than concrete over decades.

Other Benefits of Pavers Over Concrete

Durability

Pavers:

• Rated to be 4x stronger than concrete slabs.
• Flexible interlocking design prevents cracking.
• Proper drainage through joints reduces water pooling.
• Backed by lifetime guarantees from most manufacturers.

Concrete Slabs: 

• Prone to cracking due to ground movement, temperature changes, and soil instability.

Concrete slabs longevity is greatly affected by the movement of the earth. Slabs are prone to splitting and cracking if the ground beneath it shifts.

The surface of the concrete slab may remain level for a while, but a crack is inevitable once the soil becomes unstable. Additionally, changes in temperature can cause the concrete to expand and contract, which will also result in cracking.

With pavers, water rarely settles on the surface because of the numerous joints in between each piece. With a properly graded installation, drainage issues should never occur. Pavers are rated to be four times as strong as a typical concrete slab, which means they can handle four times as much weight on their surface before they could crack. If you ask how long do pavers last, the answer is that with proper care, they can last for decades, making them a durable choice for any outdoor space.

Most of the manufacturers back up their paving stone products with a Lifetime Guarantee against breaking and cracking, so if a paver should ever fail, you will be covered.

Due to the installation process and their interlocking system, paving stones are extremely flexible and are able to disperse the pressure or weight evenly, which prevents cracking. Some paving materials are stronger than others, but most individual units are less susceptible to breakage, because they are made to move with the earth.

Paving bricks also stand up very well to changes in weather conditions with their ability to expand and contract without cracking.

Differences in Aesthetics

Pavers:

• Wide range of shapes, colors, patterns, and textures for endless design options.
• Authentic look that complements any outdoor space.

Concrete:

• Can be stained, scored, or stamped to mimic pavers. 
• Often lacks the customizability and depth of real pavers.
• Stamped concrete is similar in cost to pavers, so it’s worth comparing both.

Pavers come in a vast array of shapes, textures, patterns and colors, making them generally more visually appealing than concrete slabs. There are a lot of patio, driveway, and walkway paver pattern designs that are easily customizable.

However, there are numerous techniques that can be done to transform the appearance of concrete. It can be stained, scored or embedded with decorative stones.

Additionally, stamped concrete is designed to resemble paving stones. Your budget and personal preferences should determine whether you want authentic pavers or a simulated version. If cost is an issue, do not assume that one of these products will automatically be more expensive than the other. Paving stones and stamped concrete are often very close in price, so it is worth getting estimates for both options to help you determine which is right for your project.

Safety

Pavers:

• Non-slip, non-skid surface for safer driveways, patios, and walkways.
• Better traction for vehicles and pedestrians, even when wet.

Concrete:

• Can become slippery when wet, increasing the risk of accidents.

Pavers are manufactured to be non-skid and non-slip. This means vehicles will have better traction on your driveway, which will help prevent tire marks. There is also a reduced risk of slipping on a wet paver patio.

Concrete slabs can often be very slippery when wet. This can cause cars to lose traction and leave tire marks on a newly installed concrete driveway. Additionally, a slippery patio can be very dangerous if someone were to fall on the hard concrete deck.

Resale Value

Pavers:

• Better aesthetics, easier repairs, and improved safety enhance property value.
• Seen as a premium feature by homebuyers.

Concrete:

• Stamped concrete looks better than basic slabs but doesn’t match pavers in overall appeal or durability.

Although stamped concrete can provide a much more pleasant-looking finished product than a basic slab, pavers can be more visually appealing with the plethora of options there are. A beautiful paver project can certainly recur some of the installation costs when selling your home.

Overall, each home buyer is different, but with pavers it comes down to three things previously mentioned: repair costs, aesthetics, and improved safety. Each of these helps to improve the resale value of your home over concrete.

Which Paving Material Should You Choose?

The best way to stamp the image of your home into the minds of your visitors is to create a remarkable first impression. A welcoming walkway or a charming patio will capture the attention and interest of your guests.

In terms of cost, concrete slabs are generally less expensive upfront, but may incur more costs over time as it needs to be repaired or replaced. Stamped concrete and paving stones both have a higher upfront cost than slab concrete. Stamped concrete can have similar issues to slab concrete in terms of staining or cracking, which may incur higher costs over time. Paving stones, which are usually in the same price range as stamped concrete, are easiest to repair or replace if damage occurs over time.

Our Pick: Pavers

With the ease of repairs, pronounced aesthetics, and many options to choose from, pavers can keep your house looking great for decades to come. Curious as to how much a paver install will cost for your particular space? Calculate the cost of your project for free with our paver cost calculator!

Paver Cost Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

How many brick pavers are there per square foot?

With an average paver size of 4” by 8”, an average of 5 pavers could fit within a square foot.

Will concrete or pavers add more value to my home?

In terms of value, paving stones are considered to be one of the only hardscape products that instantly add value to your home upon installation. Given that the paving stones were installed by a quality crew and are compatible with the rest of the property, one can expect a return on investment (ROI) of up to 75% for a paved patio. The ROI will fluctuate based on various factors such as holding period, property value, etc.

In regards to the value of concrete slabs, since many homes use concrete slabs as a paving material, the ROI is minimal.

Is there an added cost for concrete or paver steps?

There may be an added cost to incorporate steps in your concrete or paver install to frame and set the foundation for your steps plus material costs. However, this will depend on the company you outsource the work to.

Which is better, pavers or concrete?

Each option can provide different advantages depending on your needs. Poured concrete slabs are often used for outdoor residential spaces due to their cost and ease of installation. With the development of stamped concrete, homeowners also have options as far as designs and textures are concerned.

Paving stones or brick pavers are individual sections made from various materials like natural stone, concrete or brick. Many of these pieces interlock, which makes for a flexible system that is extremely durable.