Stamped Concrete VS Pavers | Pros and Cons

Today we talk about the pros and cons of concrete and pavers to weigh which one we prefer for our clients and for our business.
Let me know what you agree or disagree with in the comment section below or what you install in your business.
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[@johntiedemann1746]

Great pros and cons. I will watch again and use these ideas with my customers. Thank you.

[@iamahardscaper]

Thank you for watching John!

[@squeekhobby4571]

Thanks. I am exactly looking for this. Great points

[@iamahardscaper]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@charlieholvey6336]

Didn't really highlight the fact that pavers come with a lot more maintenance. Some homeowners do not want the maintenance. After a certain period of time you will have to re-sand your pavers, whether it is due to weeds, moss, or just a lack of sand. Not only that but I will almost guarantee you will have settlement, it happens, the ground moves and its a pain to pull up pavers that have settled. Calling a contractor out to service your pavers is also another additional cost for the homeowner. If you prep a concrete slab appropriately it will have minor cracks you probably wont even see. You don't get the options with stamped like you do with pavers but that's the trade off. Personally, stamped concrete is the way to go, I'm not driving a Mack truck on it. I have done a lot more paver patios than concrete but I honestly would rather be maintenance free.

[@iamahardscaper]

Fair points 👍

[@joelowens5211]

I was wondering about that also the weeds and grass coming up. If pavers a flat patio out back then maybe but when you have straight driveway to garage and a circular driveway at slight elevation I think stamping my driveway makes more sense. I can imagine the pavers moving over the years and the maintenance.

[@8corymix8]

What do you think about exposed aggregate for a back patio?

[@Rag65]

PAVERS

[@neverrestboxinggym]

Good video. I started my company when I was 17 and I used to get that question more then then I do now. I’ve branded myself pretty well over the last 6 seasons so most of the time people call me knowing what we do, and that way I don’t even have to argue against concrete haha. Great video again.

[@iamahardscaper]

That is very true, nice work!

[@jeeptommy9506]

Why not both concrete and pavers? You can use the pavers as a border and section off the concrete too . This way if/when a section of concrete cracks, you remove that section and redo

[@iamahardscaper]

Definitely something to be said for mixing materials. Adds to the appeal 👍

[@paulegan2252]

Thanks! I am planning a DYI paver patio this year. Do you have any videos for building stairs too? Blessings. Paul

[@iamahardscaper]

Plenty: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYeyY6d-gJ2InrM kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp63e6mBeLSeeZo kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGnag3ShYrGHZs0 and plenty on DIY projects: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4nJiGydpZuNj7c

[@penelopemaynard9016]

Do you have an opinion on Nantucket Pavers? Many thanks in advance if you know anything about this bluestone alternative. Liked and subscribed :)

[@iamahardscaper]

I actually do not know if those pavers. Wish I could help

[@isabellemulder2326]

Thanks for all your videos! Super helpful while trying to figure out how to DIY brick paving over concrete. I have a level, elevated slab of concrete surrounded by a soil bed beneath it that drains well. Was considering laying down geotextile as the only base layer, and skipping hbp/sand (trying to keep it renter friendly to pull up in 2 years). Do you think this is reasonable? Thanks in advance

[@iamahardscaper]

I think so as long as the concrete slab is flat and it slopes to drain water. I’ve never personally done it though.

[@isabellemulder2326]

@@iamahardscaper got it. Will try that. Thanks!

[@iamahardscaper]

The only issue you may have is if there is some unevenness you would want sand to lay under to get everything even.

[@user-mx4sp1hg5j]

Great video! Any advice for best solution (pavers or concrete) around a large oval shaped pool? I’m looking to replace 30+ year old interlocking brick in quite a large area with very few ‘straight’ edges 😟 Also live in a winter zone. Cheers!

[@iamahardscaper]

I am biased to pavers always. Just depends on what you are comfortable with. I think if you are doing it yourself and do not have any experience finishing concrete, pavers is the best way to go

[@everscaping9921]

Great breakdown! Did you just call asphalt ashfault? Is that a Canadian thing? Seriously curious here in the US 😀

[@iamahardscaper]

Haha this made me laugh. That may just be a me thing.

[@amandalinder1135]

Totally agree with the pros and cons with one exception-it’s only the initial cost of pavers that is sometimes more expensive, but when you look at the long-term, pavers are a better value. That’s the phrasing that I like to use with prospects as the cost of pavers (particularly for driveways) is a big objection. I will say though that we have installed a paver patio for which the homeowner received a price for stamped concrete and our price was $12,000 less.

[@iamahardscaper]

Yes! That is the perfect phrasing 👍

[@davidbarr9897]

Good information. I am facing this decision right now. What about weeds and ant hills that pop up between the pavers. Do you have a good solution for that?

[@iamahardscaper]

Pressure wash the jointing compound out and re-sand the joints. If the weeds are overgrown, you may have some difficulty removing them with a pressure washer because their root system has worked under the pavers.

[@john-karllooney1130]

I'm getting a good size deck and pergola installed and picked stamped concrete. Maybe I should just pay the extra money up front and get pavers instead. Appreciate the informative video.

[@iamahardscaper]

Weigh the pros and cons, but I would say either way you go, getting the right contractor is more important.

[@poohwecampbell7799]

Go with the stamped if it’s a big project ..in 2-3 years them pavers will shift from heavy rains

[@8corymix8]

@@poohwecampbell7799 how about a patio off of a door wall? For my back yard, I just can't decide. I live in Michigan

[@JoeLarge]

We put in concrete and tear out pavers because they (pavers) were done on the cheap and are shifting both horizontal and vertical.

[@iamahardscaper]

Yeah that doesn’t surprise me

[@brendastackman5538]

I liked your video however I wanted to know if these pavers can be used for a drive way?

[@iamahardscaper]

Some pavers can and some pavers cannot. It depends on their surface area to depth ratio. Best bet is to check with the manufacturer information for a specific project to see if it is rated for a driveway application.

[@bman6502]

With pavers, soil preparation is most critical. I’ve seen more bad paver jobs than I have seen with concrete..

[@iamahardscaper]

Soil prep is definitely important

[@poohwecampbell7799]

Facts

[@deerslayer4204]

I like concrete driveways/sidewalks and pavers for patios.

[@iamahardscaper]

👍👍

[@roncoffman119]

Thank you for the very informative video. We currently have a flagstone walkway (4 ft x 150 ft) in our yard, but my wife (who had both knees replaced about five years ago) recently tripped on a raised edge of the flagstone and fell. We are now looking to replace the flagstone with either pavers or stamped concrete. I have seen some pavers with a smooth / non-textured surface (e.g., Catalina from Belgard) and am leaning to choose that. To your knowledge, are there any pavers that are ADA approved? From a purely safety perspective, do you have any recommendations or suggestions? Your feedback is most appreciated!!

[@iamahardscaper]

Oh I actually don’t know that. I would reach out directly to a manufacturer to see what they have.

[@davekushman2363]

In my area of Ontario poured and especially stamped concrete is insanely more expensive than interlock but with our wild winter weather poured concrete is way more likely to crack, heave and become unsafe than interlock which I don’t understand. We install strictly interlock and the only thing we have to warn customers about is in the winter use deicer never use road salt where stamped guys have a laundry list of things to be aware of and look out for

[@iamahardscaper]

Oh wow, that is interesting. Where abouts in Ontario are you?

[@wade5941]

Good video. I stopped stamping concrete a few years ago and now only build patios/driveways with concrete pavers. Yes, the pavers are more expensive but hold up better over the long all (my experience). The stamped surface just doesn't hold up as well as the pavers. I use only good quality concrete pavers. I have noticed that the pavers have become a bit more porous over the last few years. I live in North Dakota (enough said) and my finished costs for a paver patio project are in the $15-$17/SF range. Pretty comparable to stamped concrete in my area. No, I am not getting rich, but doing well enough that I keep doing doing it.

[@iamahardscaper]

Nice! I think you could be getting much more than that though 👍

[@michaeledge2421]

I'm debating using the cheap Holland pavers for a driveway from Home Depot since they go on sale for $.25 a paver from $.75 which is just dirt cheap. They seem pretty porous and I am in Minnesota so there is a lot of salt. Will they last 10 years at least do you think or are they not even worth using?

[@bleb87]

Its weird. I got two quotes. One for large format pavers with a 5 inch crushed limestone base. And one for poured stamped concrete with 2 inch gravel base. And they were the same price

[@mattnieves2228]

first time homeowner here would the pavers at for example lowes Home Depot etc be the same ones you would use for a driveway? I need to redo mine and stuck between concrete pavers.

[@iamahardscaper]

No, you’d want to go to a landscape supplier. The pavers at the big box stores are not of the same quality

[@kailimedia]

Which method is more cost effective to build as one man diy project

[@iamahardscaper]

Poured concrete is cost effective, but it takes more skill to finish it

[@elizabethrufener7280]

What pavers are you using on the project at minute 4:35? I really like the two different grey colors and large sizes. Beautiful project!

[@iamahardscaper]

Techo bloc Para shale Grey are the big ones and Techo bloc Blu onyx black are the border stones 👍

[@elizabethrufener7280]

@@iamahardscaper Thank you! I've explored their website and really like their materials.

[@xoloft2010]

My parents have had their stamped concrete for more than 20 years ? It has never cracked ??

[@iamahardscaper]

Nice! 👍

[@calebpeters2713]

Where do you live?

[@JKAnu-yq1tr]

Mine too. They have one Crack and it's been around 20 years.

[@CW0619]

Pavers are king!👍🏽

[@iamahardscaper]

🙌🙌

[@JT-qc2nb]

The cost of pavers on 2000 sq ft of space is almost prohibitve in comparison to concrete (this is for a backyard)...That's my biggest objection. Maybe I priced it wrong.

[@iamahardscaper]

In comparison to concrete, yeah it’ll feel like a lot. But concrete cracks

[@tonyfontana8451]

In California average price of pavers is $22-25 per foot !

[@iamahardscaper]

@@tonyfontana8451 That is CHEAP! I cannot imagine a company being profitable in California at that price.

[@tonyfontana8451]

@@iamahardscaper Really ! Stamped concrete with one color is $17 a square foot and people complain about that.

[@bleb87]

Maybe my concretw guy is ripping me off but just got a quote for pavers and poured stamped and they were the same

[@alexanderchenf1]

Does pavers drain better as well? Does water seep between paving concrete slabs?

[@iamahardscaper]

That depends more so on the base. Less so on the pavement surface.

[@alexanderchenf1]

@@iamahardscaper why do pavers cost more to install? Is it because of more labor cost or more material cost?

[@iamahardscaper]

Both. Material is more expensive and laying them takes more time and has more moving parts to install

[@Uptownconcretestatue]

How much would job like this cost side house ?

[@iamahardscaper]

There are so many factors that play into that, especially your market which will be very different.

[@poohwecampbell7799]

I seen a lot of upset people about their paver jobs

[@iamahardscaper]

I have too

[@Diamonddrake]

You keep reiterating that concrete cracks, but stamped concrete looks like pavers and only cracks in the seems so you can’t see it. Done correctly you’ll never see a crack. Pavers look nicer and require less equipment to install, but concrete can be poured on site in 100% humidity at 8000psi, it’s more expensive and harder to work with that’s why lower ratings are used in residential. No need for the serious stuff, but sky scrapers aren’t made of pavers. Pavers aren’t as a rule stronger or better material than concrete.

[@iamahardscaper]

Yeah, when done right concrete should crack on the control joints 👍

[@wade5941]

@@iamahardscaper Even when done right no guarantee concrete will crack at the control joints.

[@anujbhatia3337]

Are there any differences between concrete pavers? We’ve seen modern 24x24 concrete pavers for anywhere from $9-17 per paver. What accounts for the differential and is it worth it?

[@iamahardscaper]

Yeah, typically you get what you pay for. Density and finish along with aesthetic appeal are usually what you are paying a premium for.

[@anujbhatia3337]

@@iamahardscaper I’m honestly going for a gray modern 24x24 concrete paver look. But we are seeing a 2x in price that isn’t noticeable visually, or in weight. Is there really a huge variability in density that justifies a 2x in price? I’m happy to pay whatever is durable, but trying to tease out the comment.

[@iamahardscaper]

I can’t say for sure without knowing the product. If there is no visible differences, perhaps there are just differences in prices between manufacturers. I’d say 24x24 slabs are on the lower spectrum of quality by manufacturers anyways. I haven’t noticed a major difference in quality from one manufacturer to the next when it comes to those if you are talking the ones with a brick pattern or diamond pattern to them.

[@anujbhatia3337]

@@iamahardscaper I see what you mean. Thanks for the heads up. I’m talking about the boring gray 24x24x2 pavers with no pattern/texture. Wish there was a claim on density that manufacturers had to provide.

[@dpnarciss1042]

Concrete doesn't crack when done properly

[@iamahardscaper]

🤭

[@terrywangler4154]

U should just say it's fake brick or stone. That's how I sold pavers and walls

[@iamahardscaper]

👍

[@njipods]

seems like your a bit to biased to be making a pro and con video

[@iamahardscaper]

Gotta see the Why Pavers Suck video 👍