Stamped Concrete or Concrete Pavers for Patios, Which is Better?

Whenever someone invites you to a dinner party on a patio, it’s easy to understand why having an outdoor living space is valuable. Whether you’re thinking about having a place at home where you can host BBQs, or you want a lovely area to relax with your family, investing in a patio is a smart move. For starters, a patio can add lots of personality to your home. And, if you’re thinking about selling, installing a patio will certainly increase your property’s value and chances to be sold. 

But when it comes to choosing the best material for your patio, there are several things you need to consider. Concrete is a durable and low maintenance material that’s ideal for any patio. Two of the most popular concrete applications for patios are stamped concrete and concrete pavers. But which one is the best? They both have their pros and cons. Read below to find out which one works for you. 

Stamped Concrete VS. Concrete Pavers

Before making any decision, it’s important to know the difference between pavers and stamped concrete. Concrete pavers are individual, interlocking tiles placed together to create the surface of the patio. The pavers are placed on top of the concrete foundation and arranged to make any kind of pattern. On the other hand, stamped concrete is poured concrete where a stamp is placed to imitate the look of other materials such as wood or stone. In short, pavers comprise several individual pieces, while stamped concrete is a single piece of concrete poured over. 

Cost

Stamped concrete, like standard concrete slabs, is cheaper to install than concrete pavers. The reason slabs cost more is that their installation process is more time-consuming, as you have to lay individual pieces. Nonetheless, proper installation, maintenance, and regular care will ensure you get more bang for your buck. Keep in mind that when it comes to future repair, concrete pavers would be easier to fix as you’d only have to replace the tiles in question. Whereas stamped concrete could eventually crack and require a more specialized replacement job. 

Versatility 

It’s undeniable that pavers are available in a much broader range of designs, shapes, colors, and styles. The possibilities for combining pavers to make complex paver designs are limitless. Stamped concrete, on the other hand, is reduced to a few stone or brick surfaces. Elaborate stamped concrete designs are much more complex and expensive to create.

Durability

Pavers withstand four times more weight than poured concrete. Control joints must be used to help make stamped concrete more resistant to cracking. However, even with joints, it will inevitably break. Additionally, these joints sometimes cut through the pattern, which then affects the overall look. Comparatively, pavers don’t require these joints. When a paver gets damaged, it can easily be replaced without having to replace the entire surface.

Conclusion