Interlocking Insights
With the spring and summer season upon us, you may be considering a new patio, walkway, pool deck, or driveway for your home. A common question among homeowners is whether to use interlock pavers or stamped/ regular concrete for home landscaping and construction projects. The following article looks at the pros and cons of both to help guide you in the right direction to make a choice based on your preference and budget.
Pros and Cons of Interlocking Pavers
Pros of Interlocking Pavers
Unlike concrete, interlocking pavers offer a large degree of customization. With multiple colors, materials, sizes, and styles available, there is virtually nothing you can't do with interlocking pavers.
Interlocking pavers offer low maintenance upkeep over their lifetime and are not as prone to cracks as concrete. Repairing an interlocking paver is often as simple as re-leveling and replacing a single paver
Interlock pavers are well worth the investment because they will save you from plenty of work down the road. They will also add instant curb appeal and boost your home’s property value.
Durable. Interlock can withstand heavy loads, foot traffic, extreme weather, and fluctuating climate conditions. When installed properly, it has a life expectancy of over 30+years.
More flexible than poured concrete Interlock will adjust when the ground contracts and expands so it won’t crack like concrete;
The installation ensures drainage and prevents the gravel underneath from shifting and settling
The gaps between stones are filled with polymeric sand or stone to prevent weed growth. This also provides a seal to keep the underlying gravel foundation dry.
Cons of Interlocking Pavers
High quality Interlocking pavers come at a much higher cost than a concrete
Installing interlocking pavers is harder than installing poured concrete There is typically more levelling and ground work that needs to be done, and often custom dimensions to follow.
Unless a binding polymeric is used, joint sands will need to be topped off every year or two. Weeds can sprout up between pavers unless a binding polymer is used to harden joint sands.
Improper installation can cause pavers to move or settle over time, especially without proper soil preparation.
Since lots can be slightly lighter or darker from pallet to pallet, installers need to carefully blend the pavers to keep them from appearing blotchy.
Pros and Cons of Poured Concrete
Concrete Pros
Poured regular Concrete are often more affordable than high quality interlocking pavers
Well maintained concrete will last for years. Concrete is incredibly strong and, with no spaces for vegetation to grow through,
Though it may seem like concrete would be more difficult to install and maintain, it is actually easier. Pouring the slabs is quick and simple, and maintenance is as easy as regular cleaning and inspection for cracks.
If your concrete is finished in a light color, it will stay cool under the blaring sun during summer months – a definite plus for those who fancy walking around bare feet. And for the winter months, snow can easily be removed from concrete driveways.
Concrete Cons
concrete patios and driveways are highly durable, when there are issues it can be costly to fix. Serious cracks or heaving may even require you to rip out the entire area and put in a new one.
Concrete is more challenging to remove than other materials. So if you opt for concrete, you should be prepared to keep it for a long time
Coloured concrete tends to fade over time De-icing salts will worsen any deterioration and wear away the textured for stamped concrete patterns
Concrete is very prone to cracking, especially in climates that see a lot of freezing and thawing
Concrete does require annual maintenance, especially sealing, to ensure the long life of the slab. Oils and fluids leaking from vehicles can cause stains that are difficult to remove.
Concrete is not a very DIY-friendly material for large projects. Pouring a concrete driveway involves very hard labor, so for most people, professional installation is the best option.
WHICH SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR MY PROJECT?
Although concrete is not as expensive, if you’re looking for something high-quality, interlocking stone is the best option.
Interlock pavers, while typically more expensive, yield longer-lasting, higher-quality results. This durable material will save you from the headaches of constant maintenance and costly repairs over the years. This versatile material may also be used for a variety of home and landscaping construction projects, such as retaining walls, garden walls, water features, fire pits, and outdoor kitchens
Instantly boost your home’s curb appeal and thoroughly enjoy your patio this summer with the help of interlock pavers.
Myths About Pavers
As interlocking paver professionals we understand homeowners are often hesitant about what material to use in a big project such as a driveway, patio, or pool deck. You may consider pavers first because of their beauty, then think “Nah, I’ve heard some bad things about pavers.” Let’s put these myths and bad experiences from hiring an inexperienced contractor to rest!
MYTH #1: The most popular
Weeds grow through the pavers. Pavers do not leave room for weed growth. Pavers are installed with joint sand (polymeric) that makes weed growth impossible. However, weeds that are seen on pavers are usually result of seeds that fall on top of pavers and germinate. A tip to keep your paver free of weeds is to sweep your pavers often so dirt does not settle. Another option is to apply a sealant to prevent weeds from growing it locks in joints and forms a protective layer over the surface.
MYTH #2:
Pavers won’t remain level. Yes, some people have experienced uneven pavers after a little time passes. Why is this? Because they weren’t installed properly to begin with.
It is VERY important to find a professional paver installer. If the paver base is installed properly, pavers will not shift as much over their lifetime. Paving stones require a lot of installation preparation. There are no short cuts. If installed correctly, uneven pavers are very rarely a problem.
MYTH #3:
Pavers are not good pool decking material. If you have a pool deck or deciding to install a new pool, you will understand that there are a lot of pipes that lie underneath the pool itself. If a pipe or a part were to break, it will need to be replaced. The surface surrounding it would need to be taken out. If you choose concrete as the pool decking material, you would have to saw cut the area and re-pour with an attempt to match the older concrete. If you choose pavers as the pool decking material, repairs are easy. To complete the repair, you would lift the paver, fix the problem and replace the paver. Another pro of choosing pavers as your pool decking materials, is that it is non-skid and non-slip which is very important safety factor.
MYTH #4:
Pavers come in limited color choices. Pavers come in hundreds and hundreds of different colors, styles, sizes, thickness, patterns and textures. You can even customize a design that integrates with your style and home aesthetics. The most popular paver colors include earth tones like sandstone, cream/brown, tan/brown, and grey/charcoal, . If you cannot decide what color to pick, pull the roof color and trim of the house in your paver color as an accent.
MYTH #5:
Pavers colour fades. If you install a good quality paver, color fading will not happen as it is colored throughout the thickness of the paver. Pavers are colored with oxides so their color is consistent throughout the entire stone. The color of the stone from day one will be the same color for years to come with up keep of course.
MYTH #6:
Pavers are hard to repair. Pavers have an interlocking system that makes repairs easy! Each interlocking unit can be taken out and replaced as needed. This is an inexpensive option compared to replacing an entire slab of concrete! Another advantage of using pavers for repairs is that it can be taken out when you need access to underground utilities or fix a leaking drain-line.
MYTH #7:
Pavers do not last long. One of the biggest misconceptions is that pavers do not last long. Paving stones and brick pavers are sections that are made from natural materials like stone, concrete or brick. These pieces are made to interlock which allows for a flexible system that makes it EXTREMELY durable. Since the pavers interlock, it moves and flexes as the ground does and aren’t as likely to crack as poured concrete and asphalt. It has been proven that paver materials are THREE TIMES stronger than a poured concrete slab. Many paver manufacturers have high standards and offer a lifetime guarantee against breaking and cracking.
MYTH #8:
Pavers are not strong enough to withstand parked cars. Pavers that are installed correctly can withstand at least 8,000 pounds of pressure per square inch before material failure. That makes pavers stronger than poured concrete. The interlocking design allows it to transfer load stress over large areas which allows for heavier weight. The design also allows the stone to be extremely flexible and are able to disperse pressure or weight evenly.
These are just a few of the myths you might hear about pavers, but it all boils down to the skill and experience of the contractors you hire to do the job, along with quality of materials. At SBP Contracting our top priority is customer satisfaction and a job well done.
How to maintenance your pavers
Your outdoor space is truly an extension of your home, and it deserves the same TLC . Knowing how to maintain pavers will help you keep your patio and driveway looking clean and beautiful. Plus maintaining your pavers couldn’t be simpler
Tip 1: Break Out the Broom or blower
One of the best things you can do to keep your pavers looking great is to sweep or blow them off. Giving them a quick once over will prevent the buildup of dust, soil, leaves, and other debris that can not only cause stains, but collect in the joints It’s also a good idea to sweep your pavers if you’re expecting rain because this will make cleanup easier later on.
Tip 2: Give Pavers a Good Rinse
After you sweep or blow your pavers, it’s a good practice to give them a thorough rinsing with the garden hose or power washer.
Tip 3: Seal Them Up
Sealing your stone pavers and joints is one of the very best ways to maintain them. In general, you should reseal them every one to two years, especially if you’re using a paver on a patio or driveway that both get a lot of use. This will not only help protect them from the outdoor elements, but it will also make cleanup a breeze. If you make sure to properly seal your pavers, then generally all you’ll need to do to keep them looking great is to give them a regular rinse with the garden hose. And, as a bonus, the sheen of a good sealant can make pavers that have been around for years look like new again.