Pavers vs Concrete: Comparing the Costs and Benefits

In This Article

If you are considering replacing or adding a walkway, patio, or driveway to your outdoor living area, you may become befuddled over the myriad of choices you have. Some paving materials are more cost-effective than others, and certain types are more durable and easier to maintain. In this article, we go through the options when deciding between pavers and concrete.

Concrete vs. Pavers: Fast Facts

  • Standard concrete slabs are generally lower in cost per square foot than the alternative.
  • Typically, you will pay 10%-15% more if you choose paving stones over standard concrete slabs.
  • If you decide to upgrade to stamped concrete, paving stones will most likely cost you the same or even less in most cases.
  • While a concrete slab is more affordable upfront, the long-term costs for repairs and/or replacements will almost always outweigh the initial savings.
  • The most commonly used paving material today are concrete slabs and paving stones.

With the two most common paving materials in mind, deciding between patio pavers or concrete slabs is still a difficult task. To get a better idea of these specific costs, we are going to compare different costs for each based off a 1,000 square foot area.

Paver Installation Costs

The installation of interlocking pavers has multiple factors that help determine the final cost. Depending on the material used and installation company, prices will vary, as will the quality of work.

FAST FACT: For a 1,000 square foot area, installing pavers will take about five days to complete by a crew of four to five.

Paving stones require a lot more preparation, which makes for a more labor intensive installation. The paver installation process includes: excavation, grading, sub-base compaction, geotextile fiber install, base preparation, base compaction, sand preparation, laying the pavers, cutting the borders, preparing the bond beam, compacting the stones and, finally, sealing the pavers upon completion.

Since there is no curing time with paving stones, the paver installation is ready to use immediately upon completion. Also, if the grading happened to be slightly off or settling occurred later down the line, the pavers can easily be readjusted to correct the issue by removing them, regrading the problem area and replacing the stones.

When getting an estimate for paver installation, you should expect to pay a minimum of $15 per square foot for a quality paving stone installation. For a 1,000 square foot installation area, the cost will be about $15,000.

Pros:

    • Ready to use upon project completion
    • Can be easily adjusted

Cons:

      • Require a lot of preparation labor

If you want to learn more about the specifics of a paving stone installation, check out our ​paver installation price guide​.

If you would like to calculate the cost of pavers for a specific project, we also have a ​paver costs calculator​.

Concrete Slab Installation Costs

As a common material choice for most patios and walkways, the price of installing concrete slabs comes down to similar factors of installing interlocking pavers.

Concrete slabs are somewhat easy to install, but the material takes time to dry and cure, which means that your driveway, patio or walkway cannot be used until this curing process is completed. The installation process includes excavation, grading, preparation of the foundation, setting forms, and pouring the concrete.

Because a minimum order may be required, you may end up paying for more concrete than you need. One of the major downsides to concrete is it can crack when the ground below it flexes, if tree roots grow beneath the slab or for other reasons as it ages.

It is also very important to get the grading just right with a concrete installation, as it can be a very costly error to fix once the concrete has been poured. Improper concrete grading can lead to low spots which will retain water, leaving discolorations and staining.

For a simple quality concrete slab installation with no texturing/stamping, the estimated average cost is roughly $13 per square foot. This equates to $13,000 for a 1,000 square foot patio, walkway, or driveway.

Winner: Concrete

Concrete slabs are the cheapest option up to install. However, they come with stipulations like drying time and potential cracks/distortions.

Paver Repair Costs

Throughout the life of your patio, walkway, or driveway, a few paving stones will break. Since pavers are a flexible paving material and an individual paver can be swapped, replacement and repair costs are simple and affordable. Depending on if you DIY or hire a professional, paving stone repair can range from $15 to $125+.

Keep in mind, if you choose to work with a quality paving stone installation crew, there may be a warranty on both the paving stones and installation. Here at Install-It-Direct, the paving stones we install have a lifetime guarantee against cracking and breaking. Also, our labor and installation has a warranty of two years!

Concrete Repair Costs

The costs of fixing cracks and holes vary and can be a DIY project or you can hire a professional for the job. Repairs can range from $8 to $500+ each time depending on if the concrete slab was properly installed and other uncontrollable factors. Most of the time, it is best to just patch any imperfections that come about. But there are times that concrete repairs may be too costly, so a replacement is necessary.

Winner: Pavers

Pavers are the least expensive option to repair. Overall, costs will depend on whether you choose to DIY or hire a professional.

Paver Maintenance

Most paving stones generally require little care but the joints between each stone may need attention from time to time. A professional cleaning and sealing service is an affordable way to protect and preserve your pavers. Costs for this service can range anywhere from $1.25 to $1.85 per square foot depending on the extent of services.

The installation process and materials will limit weed growth; however, weeds, moss and grass can grow in between the joints over time. If this occurs, it is necessary to remove the weeds or treat the area with weed killer.

Although the base of each stone is designed to flex with any ground movement, the stones can still shift or crack over time.

If any settling should occur, the stones can be lifted, the base can be re-compacted, a new layer of bedding sand can be applied, and then the stones can be set back into place. This is, of course, a much easier repair than that required for repairing concrete. Additionally, one or more paving stones can be removed and replaced while maintaining the visual integrity of the installation, while concrete repairs are generally readily apparent. A well taken care of paver installation can last up to 100 years.

Concrete Maintenance

Concrete is relatively easy to maintain; however, staining and cracking will often occur and become an eyesore as the slab ages.

Upgrading to much-desired stamped concrete can help make cracks and stains hidden or less noticeable. You can also coat each slab with a protective sealant, to help prevent stains from penetrating the surface. If the cracks and staining become more noticeable, you will most likely need to replace the entire slab. With either type of concrete, there may be issues with weeds growing through the cracks between slabs or in cracks that develop as the concrete ages.

You can opt to DIY spot treat problem areas; however, the treated areas will often end up looking like a patch or band-aid, since it is very difficult to match the color of an existing concrete slab.

Making sure that the concrete is clean on a regular basis with a broom will ensure that any dirt, grime, or stains don’t become permanent.

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.

Considerations for Pavers and Concrete

Durability

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.

PAVER FACT: 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 come in a vast array of shapes, textures, patterns and colors, making them generally more visually appealing than concrete slabs.

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 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

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.

Get a Free Estimate