Pavers
Concrete pavers come in a wide range of shapes, colors, installation patterns and more, providing a virtually limitless palette from which to create a driveway that complements or contrasts with the look of your home. The choice is yours.
Rethink Your Driveway
Pavers vs. Concrete
Paver and Concrete Comparisons
Pavire Driveways
Concrete driveways are a prevalent choice among homeowners throughout the Twin Cities. However, for those facing issues with their current poured concrete driveways, the thought of replacing it with the same material can often lead to concerns about repeating the same issues.
At Pavire Driveways, we understand these concerns and believe it's essential to explore all options. That's why we've put together a comparison to highlight the differences and benefits of concrete paver driveways versus traditional poured concrete driveways.
Considering an upgrade or replacement? Call Pavire Driveways for a free next-day paver consultation and discover how we can transform your driveway into a durable, aesthetically pleasing entrance.
Aesthetics
Concrete
Standard poured concrete provides a clean, white look. Colored concrete can add some tonal quality. Stamped concrete can provide texture in an effort to duplicate the look of paver or stone driveway. However, both of these latter two options cost significantly more than a standard poured concrete driveway and only imitate the look of a paver driveway.
Durability
Pavers
A well-maintained paver driveway will look and perform great for decades. Individual pavers are virtually indestructible and—in the unlikely event they should become damaged—can be easily replaced without impacting the remaining driveway surface.
Concrete
Standard poured concrete can last a long time—primarily in areas where there is limited temperature variation and few freeze/thaw cycles. However, that is not the case in the Minnesota area. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for us to replace concrete driveways that are less than ten years old.
Cracking
Pavers
The small size of concrete pavers and the way they are installed means they are able to flex and adjust to accommodate the weight of vehicles and varying freeze and thaw expansions and contractions. When temperatures return to above freezing, they return to their prior place.
Concrete
Since concrete is often poured in large sections of 10’ x 10’ or larger, the entire surface area is subjected to the forces of heavy vehicles being driven or parked on them. In addition, during freeze/thaw cycles, the ground beneath the concrete might not expand/contract at the same rate, resulting in stress from below. Since concrete is inherently inflexible, this will inevitably result in performance issues over time—including cracking, settling or heaving.
Maintenance
Pavers
Regular sweeping and periodic pressure washing keeps the surface free of debris and build-up of dirt/moss.
Concrete
Sweeping and periodic pressure washing keeps the surface free of debris and build-up of dirt/moss.
Repairability
Pavers
Whether it’s settling due to unforeseen soil conditions or the stain you just can’t get out, a paver driveway offers an unrivaled ease of repair. In the event that a paver needs to be replaced it’s as simple as removing the affected paver(s) and replacing them with same pavers or new ones (if necessary). Furthermore, a repair to a paver driveway leaves no evidence of the repair itself. It’ll be like it never happened.
Concrete
Repairing a poured concrete driveway means an unsightly patch or replacement of a section which will NEVER match the old. It’ll always be obvious that a repair took place.
Cost
Pavers
When you account for the longer driveway life expectancy, the relatively small premium in initial cost for a paver driveway is often more than offset in reduced maintenance or replacement costs over time. When you factor in the unmatched beauty, there’s really no comparison.
Concrete
The initial cost of a standard poured concrete from a reputable company will often be less than a concrete paver driveway. However, the cost of a colored or stamped concrete driveway is often similar, if not higher, than the cost of a paver driveway.
Reviews
Related Paver Brick Information
Pavire Driveways
Serving the Hennepin County and Twin Cities Metro areas, Pavire Driveways specializes in paver installations and permeable pavers. 5-Year workmanship warranty. Lifetime warranty on materials. Free next-day consultations. Call today.
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