Concrete Paver Review: Pros and Cons
Concrete pavers are a very popular building material used for paving driveways, walkways, patios and other surfaces. Although they are often called “cement pavers”, this term is a bit misleading. Cement (usually Portland cement) is the main ingredient in all types of concrete, but is not the only ingredient. Concrete also contains sand, aggregates (such as gravel) and water, as well as various additives that give it color and special performance characteristics.
Concrete pavers are made from a dry concrete mixture containing cement, sand, gravel and pigments. During the manufacturing process, the wet mixture is poured into molds of various shapes and sizes, which are vibrated to compact the concrete before it hardens. The resulting paver can withstand pressures of at least 8,000 psi, compared to about 3,000 psi for standard poured concrete. Pavers are manufactured to a high standard, creating a durable and reliable product that can truly create a stronger driveway than poured concrete. Concrete pavers typically come with a lifetime warranty on their integrity.
Concrete Paver Cost
The cost of a concrete driveway can vary significantly, with the majority of the cost incurred for professional installation. Professionally installed pavers using high quality pavers can cost between $30 and $40 per square foot, but the pavers themselves can cost between $3 and $10 per square foot, depending on the size and style. This is a labor-intensive project that can save a lot of money if you do the work yourself.
Maintenance and Repair
Concrete driveways require minimal regular maintenance. Sweep or flush your taps occasionally to keep them reasonably clean. If weeds have penetrated the surface, simply remove them as soon as they appear. Stains can usually be removed with a concrete cleaner, but check with the manufacturer for recommendations. The smooth surface of concrete pavers can deteriorate over time, especially if they are exposed to de-icing salts. Pavers can be protected from this to some extent by regularly using sealants.
If tree roots, frost heave, or partial driveway damage occurs, you can easily remove the damaged pavers, fix the underlying problem, and put your driveway back together. A properly installed and maintained concrete driveway can last between 25 and 50 years.
Design
Although real stone pavers are considered a premium paving material, concrete pavers are a close second and can rival clay pavers in prestige. While not as durable as real cobblestones, concrete pavers are more durable than clay pavers, and concrete pavers come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Concrete pavers work well with almost any home design, but their appearance usually remains fairly uniform. Natural pebbles or clay pavers are visually more suitable for older, more classic home styles.
Concrete Paver Installation
Installation of concrete pavers begins by removing the existing pavement or digging out loose grass and dirt from the construction site. Then spread the gravel base and compact it thoroughly, followed by a layer of sand. A basic driveway will have 1 inch of sand and 4 to 6 inches of gravel, but for a driveway that must carry heavy vehicles, a base of 10 to 12 inches is recommended. The floor is also leveled with a slight slope so that water can drain freely.
Once the base is complete, curbs are installed on both sides of the driveway to accommodate the pavers and ensure they fit snugly. To install pavers, simply place them in the correct position and attach them tightly to each other. Pavers can be cut with a stone saw to fit edges and corners. It is best to have some kind of pattern on the paving stones rather than laying them out in straight lines, since an interlocking pattern will make the surface more durable. Patterns such as checkerboard brick wall or herringbone are popular choices.
Once all the pavers have been lowered, the entire surface is compacted using a powered plate compactor to lay the pavers onto the sand base. Paving sand is spread over the surface to fill the joints between the pavers, then the surface is compacted so that the sand fills the joints. Sand is additionally applied to the surface to fill voids. The entire process aims to compress the surface into a more rigid monolithic structure.
Although this is a labor-intensive and time-consuming project, it is something that DIYers can do, especially if they have help. The cost savings for do-it-yourselfers are significant since most of the cost of a concrete driveway comes from installation labor. But expect to spend several full days working full time.
Top Brands of Concrete Pavers
Due to their heavy weight, concrete pavers are not usually transported over long distances. Instead of being manufactured and distributed by national brands, concrete pavers are manufactured and sold by local concrete companies. To find sources, search online at local concrete manufacturers and landscaping supply stores.
Concrete Pavers vs. Poured Concrete
Concrete pavers come in a variety of shapes, styles, patterns and colors, giving homeowners many options for creating a unique walkway that complements the home and landscape. Poured concrete panels, on the other hand, are usually plain concrete, although you may want to consider some painted or stamped options. Unlike poured concrete, concrete driveways do not require any curing time. Once installed they are ready to use. They also provide greater wet adhesion than poured concrete.
Another advantage of concrete pavers is that individual pavers can be removed and replaced if necessary. Cracked or swollen concrete slabs cannot be repaired; Any recovery attempts will be permanently visible. Properly maintained concrete driveways typically last longer than poured concrete, typically 20 to 30 years compared to a possible 50 years with concrete pavers.
Finally, because they are small, easy to handle, and don’t require the installation of heavy equipment, pavers are great for DIY driveways.
Are Concrete Pavers Right for You?
Concrete pavers can be a great material for your outdoor paving projects if you want something more elegant and attractive than poured concrete, but don’t care about the high cost of a machine to lay natural pebbles or clay tiles. And they can be a good choice if you’re a DIYer willing to put in the time in exchange for saving money on professional labor.