Is it time to redo or improve your patio and driveway? When you are looking to install a new patio or driveway, homeowners often look at their choices. The two most common types of patios or driveways are stamped concrete or pavers. You may be wondering which one is best? Texas Home Solutions / Bath Vision will share the difference between pavers and stamp concrete and see which one is best for you.
Defining Pavers & Stamped Concrete
Pavers are a small piece of concrete that can vary in shape, size, and color. They interlock to form a solid platform which is a popular choice for patios, walkways, and driveways. Pavers are very durable and can resemble brick, flagstone, slate, tile, and even wood. Stamped concrete are solid sections of concrete that are pressed down by a mold to create a pattern. Concrete stamps can look like cobble stones, tile, rock and other unique patterns. The concrete is poured and then pressed to create the pattern. The concrete can also be colored a variety of different natural colors to create a natural appearance.
Advantages of Stamped Concrete
Most people think paver stone is the best and more natural looking material you can use for patios, walkways or driveways. However, stamped concrete is simply amazing in the design possibilities. Stamped concrete comes in a wide variety of pattern, textures, and variations that make the patio look beautiful. There are many benefits of stamped concrete which is why it is growing in popularity. One is, of course, that stamped concrete provides a wide array of colors and patterns. As it is essentially concrete that is molded into shapes, it makes it more diverse in where it can in installed or how it can be used. You can customize how the concrete is laid down and what shape it makes. For those who choose to seal their stamped concrete, you can extend the life of the patio. However, where there are benefits, everything has its disadvantages as well. Some of the down sides of stamped concrete is that they can be prone to crack just like sidewalk or regular concrete. Sun and weather can cause the color in the concrete to fade which calls for frequent maintenance. You will need to reseal the concrete every few years to help protect it from the sun and weathering.
Benefits of Pavers
If you think pavers cost less than stamped concrete, you will be wrong. Actually, pavers and stamped concrete costs about the same. Pavers come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes so you can create unique designs for your patio or yard flooring features. Pavers can also be installed a little bit more quickly than concrete and repairs are fairly simple. However, about every two years the joints will need to be refilled with joint sand. Weeds also tend to grow up between the cracks which mean you have to pull or maintain the weeds. If the pavers are not installed properly, they can also shift and break loose.
Patio Installation, Exterior Remodeling & More in Axtell, West, Lorena, Woodway, Bellmead, Hewitt, Crawford, Robinson, Waco & McLennan County, Texas
Both paver and stamped concrete makes for a great patio, walkway, or driveway. However, it will be up to you as to which one is better. For patio installation and much more, contact Texas Home Solutions / Bath Vision today.