When building a patio, walkway, or driveway, you have dozens of different material options to choose from. You can go in a more plain, inexpensive direction by using poured concrete. Or, you can go to the opposite extreme and use a natural stone such as flagstone. But if you’d rather find a happy medium, you may want to consider pavers.
Brick and concrete pavers offer a much more attractive look than plain concrete while being more affordable than many types of natural stones. However, there are multiple kinds of pavers to choose from. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages when you pit brick pavers vs concrete pavers?
Brick Pavers Vs. Concrete Pavers: Pros and Cons of Brick
Pros of Brick Pavers
Bricks are made out of rectangularly shaped clay that’s been fired in a kiln. They offer a number of benefits over concrete pavers, including…
- Brick pavers offer a timeless look that will never appear outdated or out of style. Bricks have been used for thousands of years. They’re not going anywhere any time soon.
- Bricks tend to hold up to the elements better than concrete pavers. And though you may get chips in them here and there, if you keep them sealed and conduct basic maintenance, then you should be able to enjoy them for the rest of your life. And what’s more, their natural colors are more easily preserved than concrete pavers.
Cons of Brick Pavers
Even though brick pavers offer a number of important benefits, they also have some drawbacks, including…
- Brick pavers offer less variety than concrete pavers. Not only are they available in fewer colors (primarily earth tones), they tend to come in a very limited number of shapes and sizes.
- Brick pavers are more porous, making them more likely to crack or break under intense pressure or stress.
- Brick pavers are more expensive than concrete pavers, being up to 20% higher in cost.
Brick Pavers Vs. Concrete Pavers: Pros and Cons of Concrete
Pros of Concrete Pavers
Rather than consisting of clay that’s been fired, concrete pavers are created by pouring cement and aggregate into a mold where they are compressed and cured. They offer several benefits over brick pavers, including…
- Since concrete pavers formed with molds, they can take on just about any size or shape you can imagine. This allows you to create far more complex designs than would be possible with plain, rectangular bricks.
- In addition to offering more variety in size and shape, concrete pavers also come in a wider assortment of colors.
- Concrete pavers are easier to install than brick pavers since they tend to be more uniform. This makes them an ideal choice for anyone who’s just getting started with patio or walkway building and is ready to seal.
- As we’ve already noted, concrete pavers tend to be quite a bit cheaper than bricks.
Cons of Concrete Pavers
Along with some clear advantages, concrete pavers also have some drawbacks, including…
- Since concrete is dyed, its color is more susceptible to fading over time, especially if it’s in direct sunlight. You can help stop that fading by sealing your concrete pavers.
- Depending on the kind of concrete, its strength and overall quality can vary dramatically. As a result, you may get something that will need replacing in a far shorter time than would be necessary with brick pavers.
- Concrete pavers generally have a shorter lifespan than brick. As a result, if you want something that will stand the test of time, you should look elsewhere.
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