Benefits
Before you waste your money on another boring poured concrete driveway that will just crack again in a few years, discover the beauty, benefits and value of interlocking pavers.
Concrete Pavers for new and replacement driveways offer many advantages over other pavement options.
| Concrete Pavers | Cobble Stone | Clay Brick | Stamped Concrete | Ordinary Concrete | Asphalt | Crushed Stone or Gravel | |
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| Appearance | The widest range of surface finishes, colors, shapes, and sizes. Laying patterns can compliment the architectural style of any home because of the wide variety of styles available. | Gives elegant, permanent, yet informal "Old World" feel. | Traditionally comes in shades of red and red-brown. Limited shapes and sizes. | Surface is usually colored. Patterns designed to give appearance of segmental paving but saw-cut joints may show. | Grey or light brown. Can be colored throughout or on surface only. | Few color options. Achieving neat looking edges may be difficult. Stamped asphalt appears painted and artificial. | Typically a rustic look. Appearance varies with color and shape of stones. |
| Initial Cost & Installation |
Moderate
Tightly fitted, uniform units are placed over a sand bed and a compacted aggregate base. Immediately ready for use. Can be installed by homeowner or an ICPI Certified Professional. |
Highest
Non-uniform units must be fitted together by hand. |
Moderate-High
Mortar-set base may be used which increases costs. Natural variations in dimensions may slow installation or cause difficulty in maintaining straight pattern lines. |
High
Difficult for homeowner to install. Requires special equipment to stamp stone or paver patterns into surface. Surface sealer often used. |
Moderate
Difficult for homeowner to install and requires 5 to 7 days for hardening before use. Surface quality varies with weather and installation. |
Low
Installs quickly over compacted aggregate base. Must be professionally installed. |
Low
Dumped and spread over soil (no base required). |
| Maintenance | Low
Stained or broken pavers can be easily replaced without patches. Dark colored pavers can help hide stains. Factory-made pavers last for decades. |
Low
High quality stone lasts for decades. Wide joints may encourage weeds and ants. Rough surface makes walking and driving difficult. |
Low
Natural surface variations may lead to chipping or possible damage. |
Moderate
Cracking may likely develop. Patched repairs may be hard to match to original color. Color fading also possible over time. |
Moderate
Cracking may likely develop. Repairs and replaced sections may leave visible patches. Oil stains difficult to remove. |
High
Wear and weather will break down surface. Black seal coat required every 2-3 years. Rut or pothole repairs leave visible patches. Subject to erosion from oil drippings. |
High
Scattered stone must be replaced and leveled regularly. Ruts from tires are likely to develop. |
| Winter Durability |
High
Small, high density units resist cracking as well as damage from freeze-thaw cycles and salts. Pavers are stronger than ordinary or stamped concrete. |
High
High density stone resists cracking and salts. |
Moderate
Salts may cause deterioration in some clay pavers. |
Low
Potential for deterioration from de-icing salts. |
Low
Cracks from freeze-thaw cycles, settlement and salt deterioration may occur. |
Low
Cracks from freeze-thaw cycles, settlement and salt deterioration may occur. |
High
Stones resist freeze-thaw cycles and salts. |
| Snow Removal |
Smooth surface allows for easy snow removal. Darker colored pavers help melt snow faster. Snow-melt systems can be easily integrated to eliminate snow and ice removal. | Rough surface makes plowing difficult. | Smooth surface allows for easy snow removal. Darker colored pavers help melt snow faster. | Uneven surface of some patterns and textures may make plowing difficult. | Smooth initial surface allows for easy removal. Light colored surface may not melt snow rapidly. | Smooth surface allows for easy removal. Dark surface accelerates snow melting. | Stones and surface may become uneven during plowing. |