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Are Stamped Concrete Patios More Durable Than Pavers?

Jason Craycraft • May 7, 2023
Are Stamped Concrete Patios More Durable Than Pavers?

If you’re choosing a new outdoor living space for your home, are you better off getting a stamped concrete patio or a paver patio? It’s a good idea to educate yourself about their various properties, especially durability.

Here are some things you should know about these popular patio surfaces:

  • What Is Stamped Concrete?
  • What Are Pavers?
  • Aesthetic Benefits
  • Installation Cost
  • Maintenance/Repair
  • Durability – Stay tuned below to learn more about the features of stamped concrete patios versus traditional pavers.

Stamped Concrete Patio Basics

Just when you think you know a material, expert designers come up with something new. Concrete has been around forever (ask the Romans), but the idea of beautifying concrete so that it’s an attractive patio material is a relatively recent development.

Stamped concrete is a concrete surface that has been treated or “stamped” to resemble other materials such as stone, tile, and brick. Also known as “textured” or “imprinted” concrete, it shares many of the same attributes as its unadorned cousin, but with a presentation that’s sophisticated and foot-friendly.

Depending on the design, a stamped concrete patio might resemble stone or brick, and it will feel far different than what one might think of when they picture traditional concrete.

Just The Facts About Pavers

The idea of pavers – interlocking stones covering the ground – has been around almost as long as concrete. And like concrete, pavers are popular in both public and private settings. Streets and sidewalks are often made up of pavers, and they’re appropriate for patios, driveways, and pool decks.

Pavers (also known as paving stones) are individual flooring units that are laid together to create the surface used for a patio or driveway. They can be made from a number of different materials such as clay (which make up bricks), natural stones, and classic concrete. Whenever you see a driveway or pool deck that’s adorned with interlocking bricks or tiles, those are pavers.

Attractiveness

Now that you know the basics when it comes to pavers and stamped concrete, you might be wondering how they look. They look great! Both pavers and stamped concrete are constructed with aesthetics in mind, but there are some significant differences.

Both materials can be customized in dozens of different ways. Many people appreciate the fact that, as a single surface, a stamped concrete patio enjoys a continuity of design that compliments any type of home. Pavers, however, can be constructed from several different materials and shapes creating an endless array of patterns and styles. It’s the dramatic quality of pavers that make them the preferred choice of many designers.

Regardless of the type of home you may have, installing a new patio of either stamped concrete or pavers can give your yard the kind of “wow” effect that’s the dream of every homeowner. Your new patio will impress your neighbors at the next meet n’ greet, and do wonders for your home’s resale value too.

Installation Costs

Among the least expensive options available for a patio or deck is slab concrete. Also known as poured concrete, slab is as simple as it comes. It’s a hard sturdy base of concrete that’s usually about 4 inches thick.

Stamped concrete is much more than just a poured concrete product. The process of creating the customized surface requires professional skill and craftsmanship that goes beyond the needs of traditional concrete, so plan for your new investment wisely.

Because pavers can be constructed from so many different types of stones and clay, the price range is vast, depending on the availability of the desired materials. On average, the most popular styles of pavers will cost more than stamped concrete. Home Advisor has a helpful rundown of the expected installation costs here.

Of course, there’s more than installation expenses when it comes to determining the price of a new patio. You’ll also need to consider the expenses associated with regular maintenance and repairs, as well as your new patio’s lifespan. That’s why durability is at the forefront of your mind: the longer your patio lasts, the more you’ll see a return on investment.

Maintenance and Repair Considerations

So you’ve got your new patio. That means the work’s done, right? Not so fast! Whether you opt for stamped concrete or pavers, they’ll need to be properly maintained for you to get the most use out of them. A stamped concrete patio will need to be sealed upon installation and resealed every year to retain its fresh appearance.

If damage were to occur, it will be in the form of cracks, and that applies to both pavers and concrete. One of the benefits of pavers is if a tile or brick is broken or cracked, it can be easily replaced. By comparison, repairing or replacing damaged concrete is going to be far more expensive and labor-intensive.

You should expect years of high-quality service from both materials, but they can each suffer wear and tear in different ways. If you have a patio of colored concrete, the coloration may fade after a number of years. Because pavers are usually made of natural stone or clay, their color will remain intact. Also, be mindful of any pavers that start to come loose as they can become a tripping hazard.

Which Material is The Most Durable?

The greatest advantage pavers have in terms of durability is the fact that repairing them doesn’t require installing a new patio. With regular maintenance, and taking care to replace damaged pavers when necessary, a paver patio can last as long as 50 years, or in some cases, a lifetime!

Repairing stamped concrete is far more complicated than replacing a couple of pavers, so if a stamped concrete patio starts to develop some cracks, you might have to think about a replacement. That being said, a quality stamped concrete patio can last decades, maybe even longer!

Other surfaces usually require far more effort and expense to install and maintain, so any time you’re upgrading your home with pavers or stamped concrete, you’re making an economical commitment to maintaining your home’s long-term value and appearance.

Conclusion

A patio or deck made from pavers offers similar benefits to one that is made of stamped concrete. Both are stylish and highly durable. Stamped concrete is usually less expensive to install and is still a very attractive and cost-effective option for improving the look of your backyard.

Ultimately, the best choice of material is the one that you think best suits your tastes, style, and budget. Either way, adorning your yard with a new paver or stamped concrete patio is an excellent way to make your home more enjoyable while increasing its resale value.

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