Pavers Vs. Stamped Concrete

Both pavers and stamped concrete offer unlimited design potential and are comparable in cost. Pavers do tend to require longer to install, as laying bricks can be quite time consuming. It is important, though, to look beyond the initial cost and timeline of a project to see how much maintenance is required from each of these options.

While pavers may take longer to install than stamped concrete initially, in the long run, they are a more cost-effective, durable alternative. Stamped concrete requires resealing every two to three years to maintain color, whereas pavers are relatively low maintenance. If the pavers are installed with the use of Polymeric sand between the cracks, the odds of having a weed growth problem are dramatically reduced. Owners can also use pesticides or herbicides to prohibit weed growth between their pavers.

Stamped concrete, unfortunately, requires a lot more maintenance than pavers, especially in northern climates like Ohio. Like our roads, which seem to be constantly under construction, concrete is susceptible to cracking as a result of the expansion and contraction caused by freezing and thawing during the winter months. Unlike broken pavers, which can easily be repaired by swapping out one uniform brick for another, it is very difficult to repair a concrete surface to match the existing design. Owners have the option of patching cracks with unsightly gray concrete, installing new pieces that will likely fail to match the existing design, or choosing to replace their patio or driveway altogether, which is undoubtedly an incredibly expensive option. Pavers, by construction, are designed to withstand cracking and can easily expand using the small space that exists between each of the individual pavers.

Unilock Pavers are Backed With a Exclusive 10 Year Warranty

At 1st Impressions we offer an exclusive 10 year warranty on the installation of your patio shifting, heaving or settling. Unilock warranties their products forever with a lifetime transferrable warranty. You can be confident that your patio, driveway or walkway will stay looking beautiful for years to come with minimal effort and maintenance. If you are interested in finding out more information regarding our hardscaping services, please contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Pavers Vs. Stamped Concrete:

• Lifetime Transferable Product Guarantee

• Easily repaired in the unlikely event of failure

• Long term cost efficiency

• Withstands Ohio’s freeze and thaw cycles

• Easy to use in matching vertical applications, grills, fire pits, bars, seating walls, pillars and retaining walls.

• Accent colors and multiple textures easily attained

• Preferred by landscapers for beauty, elegance, and longevity

• Consistent, controlled strength, durability, dimension, at 10,000-11,000 PSI

• Weeds can grow between pavers unless Polymeric sand is used

• Not slippery when wet, ideal for pool decks

• Low maintenance

• 10 year installation warranty from 1st Impressions

• No Guarantees

• Repairs difficult and at a high cost, never match color of new repair with existing

• No warranties, as with all concrete it will crack uncontrollably due to ground pressure.

• Spalls or cracks easily and uncontrollably

• Requires form setting and footers to freeze line for vertical applications

• Very difficult to provide multi-color & texture

• Mostly specified by concrete contractors

• Inferior, not to be driven on aggregate blend, below the PSI of driveway concrete

• No weed growth between faux stamped pavers

• Slippery when wet

• Resealing every 2-3 years is recommended to protect from stains and maintain color

• No warranties